The Best Kong Recipes for Dogs: Healthy & Unhealthy Options

Kong Dog Toys are widely used and recommended for therapy and prevention of under-stimulation, boredom, separation anxiety and other behavior problems. Here are some recipes to make a Kong toy even more delicious and fun for your pup.

Making the Kong a Challenge

It is important for dogs to succeed at their “work”. Make it easy to remove the kong stuffing at first. AS THEY BECOME MORE EXPERIENCED, YOU MAY WANT TO MAKE THEIR JOB MORE CHALLENGING – HERE’S HOW:

1. Pack stuffing tighter.

2. Wedge biscuits inside the cavity using the inside rim of the opening to secure them.

3. FREEZE IT! Very Popular! Try various combinations of canned food, gravy, noodles, rice and mashed potatoes mixed with food nuggets and freeze. KONGSICLES are a favorite with many hot dogs! Put a dab of peanut butter in the small end of the Kong to plug it. Turn it upside down in a cup. Fill it full of water, chicken broth or fruit juice and freeze. Cool doggies! Kongsicles are recommended for outdoor use.

4. CHEESE IT! Mix cheese pieces or cheese spread with food nuggets and microwave until cheese melts. Let it cool to a safe temperature. NOTE – Use a cup to contain the Kong when freezing or microwaving.

Kong Stuffing Recipes

As you create recipes, be sensitive to your dog’s tummy as you experiment. Following are recipes created by veterinarians, dog trainers and dog lovers worldwide.

BANANA RAMA

• 1 fresh banana
• 2 tbs wheat germ
• 1 tbs plain yogurt (can use your pet’s favorite flavor as well)
• Kong Toy that best fits your pet’s chewing temperament

Directions: In a bowl, mash up banana. Then, add wheat germ and yogurt. Mash all ingredients together and use spoon to add to Kong. Freeze for 4 hours. Makes 1 serving for Medium Kong. Double for every Kong Size that is bigger.

CHEESY DENTAL KONG DELIGHT

• 3 slices of your pet’s favorite cheese ·
• Dental Kong Toy

Directions: A very simple and creative way to make any pet drool in delight. Just place the 3 slices of cheese directly onto the grooves of your pet’s Dental Kong (if model has rope – make sure cheese does not get onto it). Melt in microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Give to pet after it cools.

PHILLY STEAK

• Steak scraps
• 1 ounce cream cheese
• appropriate Kong Toy

Directions: Place small scraps of the steak inside Kong toy. Spread cream cheese in large hole to hold scraps.

FRUIT SALAD

• apple and carrot chunks
• 1/4th of a banana
• appropriate Kong Toy

Directions: Place apples and carrots in Kong Toy. Mush the banana in large hole to hold fruit in place. You can include other fruits and veggies: orange slices · peach and/or nectarine chunks · celery sticks · broccoli and/or cauliflower · tomato and black olive mixture.

VEGGIE KONG OMELET

• 1 egg
• your choice of shredded cheese
• any vegetables that your pet may like
• appropriate Kong Toy

Directions: Scramble egg and fold in vegetables. Put into Kong toy. Sprinkle some cheese over the top and microwave for about 20 seconds. Cool thoroughly before giving to dog.

MAC ‘N CHEESE

• Leftover macaroni and cheese
• small cube of Velveeta
• appropriate Kong Toy

Melt Velveeta in microwave until gooey. Add mac ‘n cheese to Kong Toy. Pour heated Velveeta into Kong. Make sure it has cooled before giving to your pet.

Famous Kong Recipes

AUNT JEANNIE’S ARCHEOLOGY KONG (for advanced dogs)

• LAYER ONE (deepest): roasted, unsalted cashews · freeze dried liver bits
• LAYER TWO: dog kibble, cookies or liver biscotti · Cheerios · sugar-free, salt-free peanut butter · dried banana chips, apples and apricots
• LAYER THREE: carrot sticks · turkey or leftover ravioli or tortellini ·
• Kong Toy (the larger the better!)

Directions: Pack as tightly as possible. The last item inserted should be an apricot or piece of ravioli, presenting a smooth “finish” under the main opening. LIGHT VERSION: substitute crumbled rice cakes for cashews, Caesar croutons for freeze-dried liver, fat free cream cheese for peanut butter. – by Jean Donaldson

KONG ON A ROPE:

• Dry dog kibble
• appropriate Kong Toy
• Rope

Directions: Take the rope, pull it through the Kong Toy and knot it. Hang this upside down from a tree, deck or post. The small hole should be facing the ground. Take the kibble and fill the Kong Toy. Make the toy hang just low enough that it is out of your dog’s reach. The dog will spend hours trying to retrieve the kibble from the Kong Toy. At the end of the day, take the remaining kibble and give to your pet as a reward. This is advanced work for your dog. – by Ian Dunbar

FROZEN JERKY POPS

• Peanut butter
• Bouillon
• Jerky Strips
• Water
• appropriate Kong Toy
• Muffin tin

Directions: Smear a small amount of peanut butter over small hole in your Kong Toy. Fill the cool water and add a pinch of bouillon. Place a Jerky Stick inside Kong Toy and freeze. This can also be put (once frozen) in a children’s size swimming pool for a fun day of fishing for your pet. – by Terry Ryan

SIMPLE, TRIED AND TRUE – Peanut Butter

• Peanut butter ·
• appropriate Kong Toy

Directions: Smear peanut butter inside the cavity of your Kong Toy. It’s that easy! – by trainers and vets worldwide

TRIXIE’S FAVORITE:

Trixie, a 50 pound Aussie/Springer mix, loves turkey, chicken or marrow bites mixed with slightly moistened food nuggets frozen inside her Kong. She is very clean about unstuffing – some dogs are not! – by Joe Markham

Every dog has a favorite recipe – finding your dog’s will be fun! REMEMBER: Some foods are not healthy for dogs.  Consult with your veterinarian first.