Mountain chews, is a hard cheese that is all natural, and contains no chemicals, preservatives or additives.The people in the region of Nepal have enjoyed this recipe for centuries. The product is a Yak and Cow milk based hard cheese that is now a favorite amongst dogs. The cheese flavor of the chew is very alluring, and the hard texture of the product makes it a perfect and a long lasting dog treat.

The yak and cow milk produced in the regions of Nepal, usually at or above 15,000 feet, were in abundance and couldn’t all be consumed locally. Due to the lack of modern storage technologies, the people who kept the Yak and cow herds used this recipe to store this precious nutrient. In the local language, it is referred to as “Durkha” meaning Milk Cake, it is also commonly referred by its Tibetan name as “Chhurpi”.

The raw materials used in producing Mountain Dog Chew are a mixture of Yak and Cow milk. The milk is first boiled then poured into a manual churning barrel that allows for the extraction of most of the prevalent fat.

The coagulated mixture is then poured into a sieve so that solid material used to make the cheese is separated from the whey. It is important to note that most of the lactose from the milk is transferred into the whey; therefore the resulting cheese is virtually void of lactose.

The solid is then transferred to burlap sacks where any remaining whey residue and water is meticulously drained out. The soft cheese is then kneaded until the substance is finely blended then hand cut into desired pieces or put into moulds of different shapes and sizes. The cheese is then sun-dried to attain the perfect hardness and texture. A trace amount of lime juice mixed in water is used to then clean the dried pieces.

Due to the handmade approach through every step of the process, it is not uncommon for the end product to have a slightly different look or even tint than the next one.

We have been conducting experiments since September 2011, to figure out the expiration dates on the Chews. We created six possible environments for home and retail stores (dry conditions). Each year in September, we take one from each sample container and send them for tests for the following:

1. Salmonella
2. coli
3. Yeast
4. Mold
5. Water Activity

Thus, it is safe to say that such Chews has an expiration date of approximately 5 years from the date of opening the package, as long as they are in dry conditions.

Please store the chew in open package in dry place such as table, shelf etc. The chew will go bad, if it sits on moisture (such as water) for more than one hour, and if the dog is not feeding on it.

Although very rare, but if you see fibrous white/light green/blue spots on the chew it is a sign of mold growth and is hazardous. We would appreciate if you can put them in a zipper bag and send them to us for testing.

Milk in its raw form is what is difficult for dogs to digest. Once it is made into cheese, the cooking process actually alters the protein making it more easily digested. Positive rewards- based obedience trainings often encourage the use of small pieces of cheese as motivators for behavior. In addition, our product is extremely hard and it depending on the dog’s chewing habit – quite long lasting, and because of this, the amount of dairy that a dog can consume at any one time is extremely limited.

Generally speaking, about 10% of the dogs that try our product experience an initial loose stool or gas that always resolves. We have never had a problem with repeated or lasting GI issues. We have been giving this product to our dogs since the beginning, and we have had no problems over this sustained period of time.

Most or all lactose is removed during the cooking, and cleaning and removal of whey liquid from the solids after the coagulation of the milk. So, the final product has little or no lactose to contribute towards the intolerance among dogs.

The amount of salt included in the creation of these chews is negligible. The people as a flavor enhancer, not for the flavor itself, include it.

The fat content is less than 1% of the whole product of Mountain Chews.

In the past years using this with dogs, we have seen many different dogs gulp down every size of chew imaginable. On some occasions some dogs have passed smaller versions of what he had gulped down, but never have we had any medical problems as a result. Unlike rawhide, and with exception of larger ones (depending on the size of the dog), these chews are fully digestible.

The Durometer tests confirmed that: dog chew 5 mm thick pieces –Durometer (shoreA scale) hardness of the chews was reduced an average of 49 and 46% for pieces immersed in simulated gastric and intestinal juices (respectively) for 8 hours. The pieces were flexible and much softer than prior to soaking.

The Digestibility tests confirmed that: these Mountain Treats or the dog chews 5 mm cubes – had digestion reaching an average degradation of about 33% within 8 hours, which is much faster than bones, antlers and rawhides but much slower than other softer treats.

But regardless, please be careful since the results may not be the same for your dogs.

Currently, we are proud to know that our Beyond Fair Trade policy is contributing to the economic development of the world’s second poorest nation, Nepal. We purchase directly from the farmers, and help them make that extra money in one year, that they would have been able to make in five years by selling the chews.

We do not have a manufacturing factory anywhere. Instead we collect all the hard cheese from rural community co-ops of the Himalayas, which use traditional methods in making it for human consumption.

Cows and yaks are raised in sheds, the way it has been done forever. No modern equipment or techniques are used in raising or milking the animals. They graze on open grasslands or are brought fresh cut grass by their families, and have never been introduced to hormones, prophylactic antibiotics, or other chemicals. Cows and yaks are considered to be sacred life-givers and are directly responsible for the improved economic situation of the family.

We believe that there is no size too big, and you can always give larger chews to smaller dogs without any problem. Generally speaking the small size is intended for dogs under 20 pounds, medium for dogs 20-55 pounds, and large for dogs bigger than 55 pounds. Normally German Shepherds are just as happy to work on a small piece, as they are to work on a big one.

Of course, any voracious chewer should probably be given the largest available and definitely be observed at all times after the dog is introduced to the new product. If it appears as though the dog is going to inhale the entire product at any time, then it should be taken away and reintroduced at a later time. In fact we would recommend that ALL dogs be watched at all times after being given ANY new product, not just our chews.

The chews are processed with maximum care according to our company standards. Proper procedures are followed to maintain the natural property of the chews.

The senior supervisor along with other staff prior to shipment inspects all the chews. Chews are checked for moisture level, quality, texture, size, weight, color, mold and mites etc. Only approved chews are packed for shipping. Proper record along with photo is maintained for each shipment.

Nepal Government, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Food Technology & Quality Control conducts Quarantine Tests on each consignment before we ship the chews. Government of Nepal requires this test report before we can export from Nepal. Please see the sample test report here.

We have been providing Veterinarian Sanitary Certificate issued by the Nepal Government, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Livestock Services, Directorate of Animal Health. Each consignment prior to shipment is inspected and certified by the Chief Veterinarian of the Government Department. The origin of the chews is verified and the animals are traced to provide this certificate. This certification is time consuming as the Government officials travel to the remote manufacturing dairies in the higher Himalayas.

Moisture level of the chews at the time of supply to our warehouse ranges from 10%- 30%.
The supply batch record is created and the chews are air-dried with help of heavy-duty commercial fans in our well-ventilated facility. The relative humidity in the facility is maintained below 50% to encourage quick moisture loss in the chews.
The processing of the chews is only started when the moisture level of the chews is >= 15%.
The moisture level is maintained >=15%.

It is ensured that the moisture level of the chews is >=15% at the time of exports. The moisture level of the chews at the time of shipping is re-confirmed through the Quarantine Test Report that is issued to us prior to shipment.

The chews are traditional Himalayan hard cheese for human consumption. These chews have been manufactured naturally and organically for centuries. These chews are high source of protein for the Himalayan people. Traditional and old ages methods are used to manufacture and store the chews.
The chews are stored and processed hygienically as other hard cheese. Example: Parmesan Cheese.

We have incorporated hygienic food handling and processing methods to develop our company standards. We are utilizing human grade standard as the excess/ leftover cheese is marketed in the local market for human consumption.

Chews are supplied to our warehouse on a monthly cycle. When we receive the chews, batch record is created and the chews are processed according to the batch number. Each chews batch is physically stored, processed and shipped separately. At present the batch records are maintained manually and in MS Excel worksheet. Particular chew can be traced back using our shipment packing list and batch number to the supplier.

Nepal Government’s numerous agencies such as Department of Industries, Department of Food Technology & Quality Control, Department of Animal Health, Local Environment Control Bodies, Town Planning Commission, Tax Office, Law Enforcement Office and Municipality have inspected and approved of the facility.

Only authorized Company personnel are allowed inside the facility. Only chews are stored and processed in the company warehouse to eliminate cross contamination. Only food grade crates, equipment’s, utensils, storage racks are used. Proper food handling gloves and caps are used for handling and processing chews at all times. Warehouse staffs use protective clothing, footwear etc. Outside clothing, shoes etc. are not permitted inside the warehouse. Only pre boiled or boiled water is used for cleaning and curing the chews. The warehouse has pure water supply from the Himalayan mountain source. No chemicals are allowed inside the warehouse. The warehouse is cleaned using hot brine weekly. Rejected chews are disposed or returned at the time of supply. During weekly stock take, the chews are physically inspected for any damages.

No chemicals, preservatives or product is used on the chews to preserve the natural and organic property of the chews. Processed chews are exposed to UVC light after processing to eliminate microbes and sterile the chews before exports.

• Purchase Order
• Proforma Invoice
• Commercial Invoice
• Advance Payment Certificate issued by your bank
• Packing List
• Nepal Government, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Food Technology & Quality Control, Quarantine Test Report (Sample here)
• Nepal Government, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Livestock Services, Directorate of Animal Health, Veterinarian Sanitary Certificate (If required by the buyer or the importing country customs; it takes minimum 2-3 weeks after the company receives the advance payment to get this certificate from the Government – Sample here)
• Certificate of Origin – C/O, COO
• Generalized System of Preferences – GSP for custom tax free access of goods from Nepal
• Export Custom Clearance from Nepal Port
• Airway Bill