I’ve said it before, and I’m gonna say it again — stuffing a Kong is the best ways to keep your dog busy and entertained. Now I may sound like a broken record, but when it comes to keeping your dog mentally stimulated stuffed Kong’s are amazing. They’re easy to prepare, they last a long time, and they’re a great way to keep your dog occupied.
If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your dog busy and give them plenty of extra mental stimulation you can’t go wrong with using a stuffed Kong. And if you’re not sure what sorts of things to use for Kong stuffing don’t worry — you’ve come to the right place. Here’s 39 healthy treats you can stuff in a Kong.
Non-Messy KONG Ideas We recommend giving your dog their KONG outside, this way you can prevent any accidents, stains or ants happening inside. Pop a small amount of cheese into the KONG, and microwave for a few seconds to melt the cheese slightly. Once it cools, give it to your dog to enjoy!
The Benefits of Stuffing a Kong
Stuffing a Kong is one of the easiest ways to keep your dog mentally stimulated, but that’s not the only benefit. The other benefits of stuffing a Kong include:
- Stuffing a Kong will keep your dog busy & entertained
- Stuffed Kong’s are great for slowing down dogs that eat too fast
- They’re great for teething puppies, especially when frozen
- They can help keep your dog occupied while you go to work or do chores
- A stuffed Kong will give your dog a simple job to do
- Stuffed Kong’s provide your dog with plenty of mental stimulation
- They’re a simple way to use up leftovers (see the list below for healthy options)
When you’re looking for a quick way to keep your dog busy or distracted a stuffed Kong is the perfect toy for the job. There’s all sorts of healthy things you can put in a Kong to keep your dog engaged — from ice chips mixed with veggies to your dogs favorite kibble. (They’re also dishwasher safe which makes cleaning up a breeze)
I’ve also discovered that what I stuff in the Kong doesn’t seem to matter much. The fact that it’s an interactive toy is what seems to be the real draw. Laika loves a challenge, especially when it’s figuring out how to get all those frozen berries out of that Kong.
I could use expensive dog treats today and chopped apple slices tomorrow — my dog will go nuts for either. Instead of buying specially made treats I’ve started using the healthy leftovers I’ve got in my fridge.
The Classics of Kong Stuffing
When it comes to stuffing a Kong there’s a few key ingredients that make it really simple. The first step is choosing an ingredient that’s good for freezing. That will be your base, and then you can choose other items such as kibble to add into the mix.
The bases you can use for Kong stuffing include:
- Peanut Butter seems to be the most common Kong stuffing. It tastes great, it’s usually already on hand, and it’s texture and stickyness makes it a great, long lasting challenge for your dog. (make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol)
- Store Bought Kong Stuffing is a popular item at pet stores. It’s available in a wide variety of flavors and comes in an easy to use spray can. (it’s basically the Cheez Whiz of the dog world)
- Broth (chicken or beef are popular choices) is a great supplement when stuffing a Kong because you can easily freeze it. What I like to do is dab a bit of peanut butter over the hole in the bottom of the Kong, then place it upside down in a cup and fill with your liquid and freeze it for a couple hours.
- Yogurt is another popular choice for stuffing Kongs.
- Canned Dog Food can be used as a base when stuffing a Kong.
Puppy tip: Using some frozen low sodium chicken or beef broth in a Kong can make an excellent teething toy.
After you’ve filled your dog’s Kong with something that can be frozen you can add in more ingredients. When starting out with Kong stuffing you can use some common items you’ve already got on hand:
- Kibble is great, especially for dogs that are new to having a Kong. Most kibble is small enough that it will just easily fall out which encourages your dog to keep playing with it for more rewards.
- Dog Treats are a popular choice, and as you know they come in many shapes and sizes. Whether you’re using your own homemade dog treats or some store bought ones all doggies seem to love some old fashioned treats.
So now that you know the basic staples of Kong stuffing here’s the big list of healthy foods you can use.
How to Use Kong Toys to Help Enrich Your Dog’s Life (And Improve Behavior)
FAQ
How do you make Kongs less messy?
What is the best thing to stuff a Kong with?
What can you put in a Kong other than peanut butter?