What Can You Stuff in a Kong?

In my opinion, Kong's stuffable toys are the best thing around for keeping a dog occupied when you can't give him the attention he craves. I recommend that all of my clients keep at least one on-hand; multiple Kongs make it easier to make sure you always have one ready. I've been asked on a regular basis what to put in them. I'm glad to say that the options are nearly limitless and many are very low in calories.

All of my recipes start by plugging the small end of the Kong with mashed banana or peanut butter, then freezing the Kong for a couple of hours; the goal is for the plug to be frozen solid enough to keep liquid inside the Kong.

Step two is to fill the Kong approximately 1/2 full of solid ingredients. Here are some of my dogs' favorites, which can be used in any combination you like:

Shredded or diced cooked beef, chicken, or pork
Mashed or diced hard-boiled eggs
Frozen vegetables: peas and carrots, green beans, squash, zucchini, spinach or collard greens
Plain mashed sweet potatoes
Sliced fruit: apples, bananas, mangoes, pineapples, blueberries, pears, or peaches
Cooked oatmeal, rice, barley, or quinoa
Plain non-fat yogurt
Cottage cheese
Applesauce
Peanut butter
Kibble
Canned dog food
Bite-sized dog treats

Step three is to add enough liquid to fill the Kong about 3/4 full. Most often, I use homemade, sodium-free chicken broth. At this point, you will need to place the Kong in the freezer (large end up) for 4-6 hours to allow the liquid to freeze completely solid.

Step four is to plug the large end of the Kong with mashed banana or peanut butter, then freeze until solid.

If you choose to give your dog a “heavy” Kong, filled with kibble, canned dog food, or other high-calorie ingredients, please remember to reduce the amount of your dog's next meal to avoid overfeeding; obesity is a serious medical issue in dogs that can lower both the length and the quality of their lives.

Please check with your veterinarian to make sure that your dog's digestive system can handle the ingredients you place in the Kong, as some dogs have delicate stomachs. If your dog is on a special diet for a medical issue, feeding their meals in a Kong may increase their interest in the food.

Additionally, many foods are not safe for dogs. Most notable among these are chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, and garlic. The ASPCA web-site has a great list of foods to avoid.