A KONG is a great enrichment toy for dogs. It keeps your dog mentally stimulated, trying to work out how to get to the food.
Rather than just stuffing it with dry kibble or peanut butter, we like to find new and exciting recipes to entice our pups. We also recommend pre-filling the kongs and storing them in the freezer; they’re great to have on hand when you need a fun game or distraction.
Busy? Get Your Hands Paws On The Recipes Quickly…
Tips and Tricks
- If you don’t have a KONG, you can use a lick mat as an alternative, or freeze the mixtures into an ice cube or muffin tray.
- If you are new to KONG, start easy to get your dog used to it. Fill with dry food, like chicken, beef, carrot, or kibble. It will allow them time to understand how to toy works, with quick rewards, before increasing the difficulty. If you go straight in with mash and freeze recipes, it may frustrate your dog.
Who Are KONG Toys Good For?
KONG’s are great for puppies and dogs of all ages, and the brand offers different styles to suit all chewing and playing abilities, sizes, and ages. Although our 85lb dog refuses to use one suitable for his size, instead, he prefers one designed for our 20lb dog! We monitor him carefully when using it.
Puppies – Young dogs love a frozen kong, the cold is excellent on their sore teeth and gums.
Quick Eaters – If your dog is a fast eater, then a slow feeding kong toy is a great way to make them slow down and use their hunting ability.
Anxious Pooches – If your dog is anxious, peanut butter, or a mash mixture is excellent in a kong, as the licking can help relieve anxiety.
Hyperactive – Most of the time, a tasty treat is a calm way to distract them and allow them to exhaust themselves mentally. It is also great if your dog becomes overly excited when new people come into the house; it gives them something engaging to do.
Safety Advice:
- Always supervise your dog when playing with any toy or enrichment activity to avoid chocking.
- Introduce new foods slowly to avoid stomach upsets.
- Reduce the amount of dinner your dog gets if you are feeding them supplementary food to avoid obesity.
The recipes can be altered to suit any size KONG, you can also pre-make mixtures and reserve them in the fridge to fill the KONG at a later date.
Recipe 1 – Berry Medley:
In the summer, our dogs love frozen fruit as a healthy, refreshing snack. Berries are some of their favorites! However, if your dog prefers mango, banana, or apples, these all work well too! Just alter the recipe to suit your canine’s preferences.
Equipment:
- A kong suitable in size for your dog
- A blender
- A spoon
- A glass to hold the kong in place
- A freezer, to create more of a challenge
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 tsp 100% peanut butter (no sugar, no xylitol)
Directions:
1. Blend the strawberries and blueberries in the blender. If the mixture is too coarse, add yogurt or water to thin it.
2. Spoon the peanut butter into the bottom of the kong to prevent the berries mix from leaking.
3. Add in the berry mix.
4. If your dog is new to the kong, serve right away. If your dog is used to the kong, or like a challenge, freeze the kong 6+ hours.
Recipe 2 – Kibble Blend:
This recipe needs longer to rest, but is an incredibly cheap and easy way of filling your dog’s kong. If your dog is a quick eater, use this an alternative way to feed them dinner.
Equipment:
- A kong suitable in size for your dog
- A heatproof bowl
- A fork
- A freezer, to create more of a challenge
Ingredients:
- Enough kibble to fill 3/4 kong you are using
- Boiling water to cover the kibble
Directions:
1. Add the kibble to a bowl and cover with boiling water.
2. Allow to sit for 8-10 hours, or for long enough for the kibble to absorb the water and double in size.
3. Mash the kibble until it becomes smooth.
4. Add to the kong.
5. Freeze for 6+ hours.
Recipe 3 – Chicken Dinner:
We make this filling in bulk when we have leftovers. The chicken can be swapped for any other leftover meat, and the sweet potato can be exchanged for pumpkin or carrot, and the peas for any other leftover vegetables you have, like broccoli, asparagus or beans.
Equipment:
- A kong suitable in size for your dog
- A saucepan
- A fork
- A mixing bowl
- A freezer, to create more of a challenge
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sweet potato
- 1/4 cup cooked chicken
- 1 tbsp peas
Directions:
1. Boil and mash the sweet potato and allow it to cool.
2. In a bowl, mix the cooled potato with the chicken and peas.
3. Transfer to the kong.
4. Serve right away or freeze for 6+ hours for more of a challenge.
PRINTABLE PDF GUIDE
Want to save the recipes for later? Or share the instructions with friends?
Print the guide here and save and share!
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Disclaimer: Each dog is different, and every circumstance is different. All efforts have been made to provide accurate information. However, it is not provided by a qualified Veterinarian, Veterinarian Surgeon, or Behaviorist. The information provided is purely educational. The information should not be used as an alternative or substitute for medical care. If you have any health or medical concerns, contact a qualified Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinarian immediately.
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