Kong is one of the most famous brands in the world of dog toys, largely known for their big red snowman-style toy, the Classic Kong! Show
The Kong Classic functions as an all-in-one dog toy; it can be used as a ball for a game of fetch, it’s durable enough to be used as a chew toy, and it can be filled with food and used as a puzzle feeder.
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One of the most popular ways to use a Kong is to stuff it with food and let your dog mow down. Why Stuffed Kongs RuleMany owners testify to the tremendous power of a stuffed Kong that’s packed with food for your pup. But why exactly are stuffed Kongs so fantastic? A stuffed Kong can:
How to Stuff a KongStuffing a Kong is easy! Just shove the food in and seal the top hole with a thick sealant (ex. peanut butter) to ensure that the goodies you’ve stuffed inside don’t fall out. 6 Simple Stuffed Kong RecipesLet’s go over a few tried-and-true stuffed Kong recipes you can give your pup to enjoy! Recipe #1: The Greenhorn BeginnerFor your first Kong session with your dog, keep it simple by just putting some kibble in the toy and letting your dog knock out the goodies. This is the easiest way for your dog to learn that the Kong means things are about to get tasty! Once your dog has gotten curious about the Kong, you can start experimenting with different Kong recipes, like the next recipe on our list. Recipe #2: The Classic KongThe Classic Kong recipe is a great introduction into the world of stuffed Kongs! The easiest way to stuff a Kong for your dog’s enjoyment is to:
If you’re squeamish about a messy floor, this recipe is probably the least messy option since you can make it with just kibble and peanut butter, which is firmer than most of the other stuffable ingredients we’ll detail in other recipes. However, the wetter, messier recipes tend to be what your dog will really go bananas for. If you don’t want Kong drippings all over your carpet, just gate your dog off in the kitchen while they enjoy their stuffed Kong. Then everybody wins! Recipe #3: The ParfaitWith the Kong parfait recipe, you’ll load up different layers of tasty noms for your dog to enjoy! For example, I might construct a Kong parfait as follows:
You can make a Kong parfait with any dog-friendly ingredients, so have fun experimenting! You can even load a Kong up with some dinner leftovers like mashed potatoes, so long as they’re dog safe. Recipe #4: Kibble StewFor the Kibble Stew, you’ll fill up your Kong with kibble, like you would in our Kong Classic recipe. But before you seal the top, pour in some low-sodium beef broth and then freeze overnight! The beef broth will soften the kibble and cause it to expand for a tasty stew-style meal. To start with this recipe, you’ll want to put a straw through the Kong. You see, the small hole at the bottom is designed to prevent a dangerous suction from happening which can suck in your dog’s tongue. This isn’t usually an issue for most Kongs, since there is usually natural air flow, but when using liquid like beef broth, it’s best to use a straw to keep an open stream of air. Once the Kong is frozen, you can remove the straw. For stuffed Kongs with liquid ingredients, I’ll usually store the Kong upright in an empty dog food can to prevent any messes. Alternatively, you can soak the kibble in your beef broth mixture and, once the kibble has expanded, pour the soggy kibble into the Kong and freeze as usual. Recipe #5: Healthy KongMaybe your pup is on a diet, or you’re looking for a lower calorie option that won’t take away from dinnertime. For a healthy Kong, try layering frozen green beans, chopped carrots, and chopped sweet potatoes. I’d also suggest adding some beef broth or apple sauce to get it all nice and wet if you plan on freezing it. Other great ingredients for stuffing a healthy kong are:
Recipe #6: Bully BonusAnother popular variation on a standard Kong recipe is to load up a kong ⅔ of the way up and then shove a bully stick through the middle of the hole for a lollipop looking design! This is a fun treat to give your dog when you’re looking to keep them occupied for a longer period of time. If you freeze a loaded Kong with a bully stick inside, between licking up the frozen food and gnawing on the bully stick, your dog should be kept nice and busy for quite some time! Plus, adding a handle to the Kong can make it a bit easier for your dog to pick up and handle. If your dog seems to be struggling, try adding a bully stick handle or any other long protrusion like a carrot or celery stick. More Complicated Kong Filling Meals
You can basically stuff the Kong with anything (besides foods that hazardous for canines). Just seal off the top hole with peanut butter or cream cheese (something thick). Stuffing a Kong dog toy, along with other treat dispensing dog toys, is a great way to keep your dog happy and occupied. They are an especially good idea when you plan on leaving your dog home alone all day while at work. Stuffed Kong Hacks & Tips for Longest-Lasting Kongs
Try a Kong Box
Kong offers a great dog subscription box called Kong Box. Each Kong Box includes two high-quality toys and training treats. Plus, your first Kong Box always includes a Classic Kong as well! You don’t even need to subscribe – you can purchase a one-off box if you prefer. Try Kong Box Now! Ultimate List of Dog-Safe Kong Stuffable Ingredients
Kong Sizes and TypesThe Classic Kong comes in several sizes and varieties. We’ll discuss the different Kong size options below! Sizes include:
Kong also provides their Kong Classic in a puppy version and senior version, which offer softer rubber that is gentler on teeth. They also have a Kong Extreme option with Kong’s famous black rubber, designed to withstand extra tough chewers! How to Freeze a Kong ToyWhen you can freeze a Kong, I highly recommend you do. Freezing a stuffed Kong makes the Kong last much longer. Plus, the licking motion is relaxing and self-soothing for your pooch. For a frozen Kong-sicle treat: 1. Put a straw through the Kong to ensure that a pocket of air can travel through the Kong and that the smaller hole doesn’t get completely sealed. This will prevent an air pocket from forming that can suction your dog’s tongue into the Kong and get him stuck, which is very dangerous. As long as your Kong is loosely packed, you’ll probably be fine. However, when using liquid ingredients like beef broth, you’ll want to ensure there’s an open air stream through the Kong. 2. Turn the Kong upside down and place it in a mug (or empty wet dog food can), with the large hole facing up. This will ensure that any wet or liquid ingredients you used don’t make a mess of your freezer! 3. Fill the Kong with broth. You can use low-sodium chicken or beef broth, then insert the mug with the Kong into the freezer. Just check the ingredients to ensure there aren’t any nasty additives that could hurt your dog. We’d also suggest watering down the beef broth to keep the sodium levels down. 4. Leave the Kong overnight in the freezer to harden. I often make a batch of Kongs and freeze them all for the week. 5. Take out the frozen Kong. If you used a straw, you can now remove it, leaving a clear air hole to avoid any chance of suctioning. Give it to your dog and let him nom it down! Other Kong Feeding ToysThe Classic Kong isn’t Kong’s only toy that works great for feeding time fun. Other great Kong toys include: Kong Stuff-A-BallThe Kong Stuff-A-Ball features slotted ridges positioned all around the toy. These slots can be filled with Cheese Wiz, peanut butter, or any other spread. The rubber wedges work double duty as they clean your dog’s teeth too! The Stuff-A-Ball also has a hole in the middle that can be filled with a bully stick, carrot, or Kong Ziggies. Kong WobblerIn our house we’re pretty obsessed with the Kong Wobbler. Stuffed Kongs are awesome, but there will always be some days when I’ve run out of Kongs or didn’t prep enough the night before. The Kong Wobbler is a real winner because you don’t need to use anything besides your dog’s standard kibble. Just screw off the cap, dump in the kibble, and watch your dog knock and roll the weighted Kong Wobbler around to dislodge the food. It’s also smart to give your dog chew toys (like bully sticks or elk antler chews) that will take them some time to go through – having something for your dog to do is essential. If your dog has a mighty mouth, make sure to only seek out dog toys specifically made for aggressive chewers. Luckily, Kong is one of those toys made with tough chewers in mind! Common Kong QuestionsHow do you clean a Kong? You can clean a Kong a few different ways. You can soak it in warm, soapy water and then rinse it out. Or, you can put it in the dishwasher . Can Kongs go in the dishwasher? Yes, Kongs are dishwasher safe! What has your experience been like with stuffed Kongs? Does your dog love them as much as mine does? Share your stories in the comments! |