Most dogs do well with about one chew a week. That number is not arbitrary — it comes from calories, not from how much your dog would like.
Start with the 10% rule
The general veterinary guidance is that treats should make up no more than about 10% of a dog's daily calories. Everything else should come from their actual food.
A yak chew is dense. It is 65%+ protein with almost no fat and no filler, which is exactly why it is a good treat — but dense means it counts. A Large chew is not a biscuit.
A practical weekly guide
| Your dog | Size | A reasonable week |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 lb | Small | One chew, across several short sessions |
| 15–44 lb | Medium | One chew a week |
| 44 lb and up | Large | One chew a week |
Because you put the chew away between sessions, one chew a week usually means three to six separate chewing sessions. Your dog experiences that as far more than "one treat".
When to give less
- Overweight or on a diet. Halve it, and take the calories out of dinner rather than adding them on top.
- Sensitive stomach. Start with short sessions and see how the next day goes before making it a routine.
- Puppies over four months. Ten-minute sessions, less often. Under four months, no hard chews at all.
- Senior dogs. Check their teeth first. If anything is worn or loose, a hard chew is not the right treat.
When it is fine to give a bit more
Working dogs, very active dogs and dogs in cold weather burn more. And there are days — a thunderstorm, a house full of visitors, a long afternoon alone — where a chew earns its calories by keeping your dog settled. That is a good trade.
Timing that works
After a walk, when your dog is already tired, is the best moment. Chewing helps a dog come down from activity, and a tired dog chews more slowly, which makes the chew last.
The worst moment is right before you leave the house. Chews are always supervised, so they belong to the time you are home.