How to Stuff a KONG

Making Your Own Long-Lasting Chew

What if we told you that one of the easiest ways to keep a dog busy, mentally engaged, and satisfy their urge to chew involved their own food? That’s right! You don’t have to entice them with treats or their favorite chewy – you just make them work for their breakfast or dinner.

First, if you don’t have a KONG, it’s time to stop by your favorite local pet store or place an online order. These toys come in several shapes and sizes, including an “EXTREME” option for tough chewers and a softer rubber for puppies and seniors. When it comes to shape, we like the Classic KONG that looks like a bell, which makes it nice and simple to stuff.

Now the fun can start! The secret to making a stuffed KONG that lasts is freezing it. It takes a little planning, but it’s worth it when you see the satisfaction your dog gets out of their long-lasting chew.

Before stuffing your dog’s KONG, make sure everything is safe for them to eat and doesn’t contain xylitol.

STEP ONE: Plug It Up

Plug the little hole in the bottom of your KONG. We usually use a small blob of peanut butter, a chunk of cheese, or a squirt of Easy Cheese.

STEP TWO: Prep Your KONG

Place the KONG in a small, freezer-safe glass or jar. The plugged end should be at the bottom of the glass so you can fill the larger opening with goodies.

STEP THREE: Stuff it!

Measure out a portion of your dog’s daily kibble or wet food and put it in the KONG! Feel free to add nutritious morsels to the mix, like chopped carrots or a little chicken. You can even give it a squirt of fish oil for an extra boost of yumminess.

STEP FIVE: Add Liquid

Add liquid for freezing! You can use water or dog-safe broths. Sometimes we add a little peanut butter to some hot water to make a slurry or a little unsweetened applesauce. The world is your oyster; just make sure it’s nontoxic, and fill the stuffed KONG to the brim.

STEP SIX: Freeze!

To keep things simple, we usually stuff several KONGs at once so we’ve always got one ready to go in the freezer. But, in a pinch, you can prep one in the afternoon, and it will still keep your dog satisfied at dinner time.

Bon appétit!