Kong Toy Stuffings

Today’s dogs do not have a lot of activity or stimulation during the day. Most of us work fulltime while our dogs sit home. A well-stuffed Kong toy can offer hours of entertainment to a bored dog. Kong toys are hollow, hard, rubber toys you stuff full of food treats. The following are a variety of Kong Stuffing ideas you can use to entertain your dog while you are gone, do not have time, or during bad weather.

The basic rule of thumb is that you need something to stuff into the Kong. Kibble, treats, and/or veggies work well for this. Next you need something to make the stuffing stick. Cottage cheese, peanut butter, etc., work well.

Secondly, do not give up if your dog quickly gives up on the Kong. Start with very easy stuffings. Something such as just plain canned pumpkin or cottage cheese is very easy for any dog to lick out. Once your dog gets the hang of it, start adding stuffings gradually. The better your dog gets at using Kongs the tighter you can pack in the stuffings.

Mixture Ideas

Stuff Kong full of one of the following mixtures:

Kibble, treats, and/or veggies mixed with cottage cheese.
Kibble, treats, and/or veggies mixed with plain yogurt.
Kibble, treats, and/or veggies mixed with a couple of spoonfuls of natural peanut butter.
Kibble, treats, and/or veggies mixed with a couple of spoonfuls of cream cheese.
Kibble, treats, and/or veggies mixed with plain canned pumpkin.
Freeze any of the above mixtures (#1-5) for the experienced dog.

The next 2 Kong stuffing ideas require some preparation, but also are more difficult for the dog to get to, therefore they tend to last longer.

Place Kong into a coffee cup, so that the larger hole is on top. Fill Kong with kibble and shredded cheese. Place Kong and cup into microwave for 15 – 20 seconds. The cup keeps the Kong upright, so that the food does not fall out. After the cheese melts, place the Kong into the refrigerator for a minute or two. The cheese cools and hardens around the dog food.
Plug the small hole on the smaller end with a piece of kibble. Wrap the smaller end of the Kong toy with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. Again place the Kong into a coffee cup with the larger hole on top. Fill the Kong with a can of soup. I use chicken and rice or vegetable beef soup. Place Kong and cup into the freezer and allow the soup to freeze. After a few hours, give to your dog to enjoy.