Kong-tastic Fun for Your Pup!

What is a Kong®?

A Kong® is a tough, bouncy rubber toy that looks like a snowman, with a small hole at the top and a big one at the bottom. When you fill it with tasty treats or food, it becomes the ultimate fun challenge for your dog, keeping them entertained for hours!

Choosing the Right Kong®

Make sure to get the right size Kong® for your dog. Kongs® come in different types: for puppies, adults, extreme chewers, and seniors. The Kong should be big enough to stuff but not too large for your dog to manage.

How to use a Kong ®

You can stuff the Kong® with safe treats or food (be sure to avoid spicy foods and toxic foods for dogs like chocolate, onions, grapes, and raisins).

For a meal: First, measure your dog’s kibble. Next, block the small hole with peanut butter or a soft treat. Then, turn the Kong® upside down and fill it with canned food, followed by the kibble. Keep repeating, and end with more canned food. If there’s any kibble left, put it in a dish and place the Kong® on top!

Quick and Easy: For a quick and easy stuffing, fill the Kong  with dog cookies and little pieces of hot dog. Squeeze the big opening of the Kong®, stuff it with the treats, and then finish by spreading peanut butter around the opening!

Sweet Treat: For a Banana Surprise, block the small hole with something like peanut butter. Then, fill the Kong® with banana pieces, dog treats, and plain greek yogurt. Once it’s all stuffed, freeze it to make a yummy, cool treat!

Kongsicles: Moisten your puppy’s kibble with water, stuff the Kong®, and freeze it overnight. You can also mix kibble with canned food, plain greek yogurt, or pumpkin, and freeze that. For a cool outdoor treat, fill the Kong® with water, chicken broth, or fruit juice, then freeze it!

Helpful Tips:

Don’t only give Kongs® when you leave—use them randomly so they don’t become linked to your absence. Be mindful of portion sizes—the Kong® is a treat, not a full meal. Kongs® are dishwasher safe, so cleaning is easy! Get creative with stuffing and experiment with new flavors to keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated!

This handout is sponsored by Arfordable Dog Training