If you ask pet owners what toy is a must have for their dog or puppy, many will respond, “The Kong”. The Kong, made of long lasting and durable rubber and is built to withstand a dog’s biting. Owners fill their Kong with treats in hopes of keeping their pup or dog occupied for the hours the product claims to. However, in reality, not all dogs will be satisfied with a couple pieces of kibble or a few treats thrown inside, and will become bored once they have achieved their goal of eating these treats.
Especially with working dogs, such as a Labrador retriever, many dogs have an innate need to hunt and search. Kongs, especially when used correctly can help them meet this need. When packed a certain way, the Kong can last for an hour or more in keeping your dog occupied and happy as they are doing what they do best (and obviously, getting rewarded for it). In trying to keep my now six month old puppy occupied and away from things such as my hands or furniture, I have discovered some very useful and healthy ways to get the most out of the Kong.
The key to getting the most use out of the Kong is to stuff it in layers and then, to freeze it. Freezing it makes it last much, much longer and provides more stimulation for your dog as well as helps keep their biting and chewing healthy. You do not have to purchase the expensive fillers the Kong company markets to go along with the Kong. I have found that these do not last long, are extremely expensive, especially when trying to keep up with a puppy’s biting habits and are not necessarily healthy if you read the ingredient list. You can use a variety of foods around your home with the Kong in addition to their dog food or treats. Keep in mind however that you should decrease their rations at their regular meals accordingly so as not to over feed.
Steps to making the most out of your Kong:
Use leftovers and items from your home.
Alternate layers of softer fillings with harder to eat fillings.
Pack down the Kong so they have to really work at getting the fillings out.
Use a smear of peanut butter on the small openings to seal in fillings, especially those that are liquid. You can also use a baby carrot or small dog treat or piece of kibble.
Smear some peanut butter or a smooth filling such as yogurt on the top so the dog has to go through that first to get what is underneath.
You can decide to stick a longer item in such as a jerky strip or thin rawhide bone in the middle of the softer items in the Kong so they must chew that as well as whatever else you have stuffed the Kong with.
Freeze the Kong. Use wax paper or a container to keep them from getting on your freezer bottom; use containers when freezing liquids such as ice cream, yogurt, water with bouillon.
As your dog gets better at getting the food out of her Kong, make it more difficult by using harder to get out items and more solid items than liquid.
Here are some suggestions for fillings for the Kong using items you have around the home and leftovers. Mix and match to keep it interesting for your pup as well as for yourself (you may find yourself filling these quite often if your dog likes them and needs to keep occupied). You will also want to experiment to see what your dog likes and does not.
Baby food: a healthy option that is merely food without additives pureed. There is a huge selection to choose from so you can keep it interesting for your pup. I highly recommend stage three baby food, which if you look around you can buy at a dollar store or Big Lot for about a quarter or fifty cents a jar. Dogs love veggies and fruits and these are very healthy snack options for them.
Chopped up fresh fruits and veggies such as carrots, broccoli, potato, apple, bananas, squash etc. Whatever you have on hand or are using for that day’s meal, chop up a few and put them aside to stuff your pup’s Kong with. This is also an excellent addition to top off your dog’s food with to give her some extra fiber and vitamins. Do not give your pup raisins or grapes however as they have been shown to be toxic to dogs.
Dried fruit such as apple, apricot, banana
Leftover ravioli or other pasta (guage the size as you should cut up long noodles such as spaghetti or lasagna)
Pancakes
Tofu
Cubes of cheese whole. For Kong with grooves on the outside, sliding cheese into the groove by holding open the sides and then closing them will easily cut off a slice of cheese to fill the groove.
Velveeta or cheese whiz (you can also melt these in the microwave with some kibble or other item and then freeze). Note: if you give this to your dog without freezing, make sure the cheese is not hot, otherwise they will burn their mouths and throats.
Cold cuts-slices of turkey, roast beef, ham etc.
Leftover meat cut into chunks or slices
Ordinary kibble and dog treats
Red Barn tubed food diced
Yogurt
Soy or vanilla ice cream (watch out for excess sugars)
Cottage cheese
Peanut butter (unsalted)
Spray cheese
Cereal (stay away from the sugary kinds) such as cheerios, bran flakes
Peanuts or nuts (preferably unsalted)
Soy nuts
Pretzels (preferably unsalted)
Mashed banana
Mashed potatoes (without extra salt and butter)
Cooked barley
Cooked cream of wheat
Cooked oatmeal or a scattering of oatmeal uncooked
Scrambled egg
Water with a pinch of bouillon
Saltines or other broken up crackers or hard biscuits
Canned veggies (again, preferably with no salt added)
Cream cheese
Leftover macaroni and cheese
Canned pumpkin
Yogurt chips
Carob chips
Plain croutons
Honey
Canned chicken
Slice of or chunks of bread with some peanut butter or other spread on it folded in half and stuffed inside
Hot dog slices
Ricotta cheese
Bagel chips
Leftover soup (strain if too liquidy)
Applesauce or fruit cocktail (without sugar is the best)
Your dogs will love you for using some of these suggestions in creative ways and you will be thrilled with how occupied they are for a long period of time!
