My dog and I LOVE Kongs! She uses a Kong when left alone, when I’m busy working, or sometimes just to make her breakfast more exciting!
But isn't it easy to always rely on the same thing going in it? Not only is that boring for me to make, but it is also boring for dogs to eat too. Plus, if we always use the same snack, it probably won’t be healthy in such a large dose! If you are anything like me, you’ll want your dog to be as happy and healthy as possible!
So, I’ve put together this rather long list of ideas for alternatives to your go-to-Kong-filler! I’ve included as many different types as possible in order to be able to include the greedy dogs, the fussy dogs, the allergic-to-everything dogs, and every dog in between!
There are no amounts in these recipes because of the different sizes of Kongs, and please be aware that if you are trying your dog on new foods, try one at a time so you can see if your dog likes it and doesn’t have a reaction to it.
You can also use many of these recipes in Kong alternatives, such as a Toppl, Quizl, Slow feeders, or more!
Firstly: how to stuff a Kong!
Seal the bottom of the Kong with a treat or something sticky.
Fill half way with bigger, looser treats.
(Optional) Add a ‘handle’ such as a chicken foot or bully stick.
Add some softer fillings like baby purée.
Seal the top of the Kong with either something mushy like a banana, or a hard treat that blocks everything in.
(Optional for most dogs, or a must if you have a greedy dog!) FREEZE!
Now, what to stuff with!
1. Cheese, mashed banana, and a spoonful of peanut butter. Frozen or unfrozen.
2. Unsalted mash potato mixed with your dog’s normal dog food
3. Scrambled egg, beef, Greek yogurt, and cheese.
4. Bran cereal or Cheerios with peanut butter!
5. Seal the end of the Kong with peanut butter. Then fill with chicken broth, add a couple of your dog’s favourite stick-type chews and freeze.
6. Mix a few fruits up (apple, banana, strawberries, blueberries, etc) with a little peanut butter. Frozen or unfrozen.
7. A little dog food, some melted and cooled peanut butter, more dog food, more peanut butter and keep going until the Kong is full.
8. Mix regular dog biscuits up with fat-free cream cheese which acts as a cement keeping everything together. This’ll last ages!
9. Smear peanut butter on half a slice of bread (depending on dog’s size). The mix together and pour over the top a blended concoction of fruits and veggies.
10. Squeeze some small pieces of apple into the bottom, then add a small amount of plain yogurt, then a slice of banana, then more apple. Repeat until full. Freeze if wanted.
11. In a bag, combine pumpkin, plain yogurt, and cooked rice. Mix well, then snip off a corner of the bag to squeeze into the Kong. Works best frozen.
12. Soak your dog’s regular biscuits in chicken broth and fill the Kong. Frozen or unfrozen.
13. Mix bananas, unsweetened apple sauce, oatmeal, peanut butter, and plain yogurt. Freeze.
14. Combine small chunks of cheese with regular dog biscuits. Microwave until melted, let cool, and pour into the Kong.
15. Crush dog biscuits, mix with Peanut butter and plain yogurt.
16. For sensitive tummies, Boiled white rice with natural bio-yogurt.
17. Make a dog-friendly fruit salad, and stuff inside Kong. Then pour over apple sauce.
18. Mix a can of tuna or sardines with plain yogurt and grated carrot. Freeze.
fish oils will keep the coat and skin super healthy and shiny!
19. Normal dog food mixed with a scoop of meat paste and a chunk of banana.
20. Some of your dog’s normal biscuits, mixed with a spoonful of cottage cheese. Block the end with a slice of banana or large dog treat.
21. I call this my 'Superfood Kong'. Blueberries, chia seeds, salmon, bone broth, a chicken foot, and freeze-dried liver.
22. Boiled white rice mixed with sweet potato mash. Wipe the inside of the Kong with peanut butter and fill to the top with the rice/mash combo. Frozen (lasts AGES) or unfrozen.
23. A scrambled egg mixed with boiled white rice, and a chopped hot dog sausage. Use a chunk of hot dog sausage to plug the end.
ℹ️ Egg contains all the protein amino-acids that the body needs.
24. Super-speed Kong filler for when you're in a rush: wet dog food or pate (I use Forthglade trays), topped with a favourite biscuit or bully stick.
25. 'Breakfast in bed' filler (credit to Journey Dog Training for this cute idea!). Chop broccoli and spinach, mix with eggs and chicken breast and top with grated cheese!
See the photo below for other ingredients you could add to your Kong!
For our Kong-pros;
Tie a knot in a piece of thin rope and thread through the small hole in the Kong. Hang it upside down just above your dog’s nose height from a door handle, post, fence, or tree before filling it with any recipe (best unfrozen).
Block the end with some bigger treats (Winalot shapes work well), to make it more difficult to get the rest of the filling out!
Freeze your Kong to make it last longer! (Kongs are dishwasher friendly, so don’t worry if your pup can’t get it all out!). For non-dishwasher cleaning, use a toothbrush or bottle brush.
REMEMBER: Not all dogs like all foods, so work out what your dog likes and is healthy for them before giving too much!
If you want some alternatives to Kongs, you may want to take a look at my Ultimate Boredom Buster Program!
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