How To Fill A Kong For Dogs - Pooch Parenting

Kongs for dogs have a GREAT reputation.  Have you ever wondered why? One of the main reasons is that it encourages the dog to work a little harder to eat than if you simply poured their food into a bowl.  Behavioral enrichment is important for our pets, particularly if they aren’t as active outside as you wish they could be.  By serving frozen food in a Kong, it will take your dog longer to eat and will keep them quiet and entertained in the process!  This could be especially useful if you have visitors, need to take a conference call for work, or if you simply need a break from your pooch’s energy.

In order to keep calories under control and still give your dog lots of food enjoyment, you can take a portion of your dog’s daily rations and use it in a Kong. In the video below, I demonstrate how to fill a Kong with moistened kibble. But if you feed your dog raw food or even something like Honest Kitchen, you can use those to stuff your Kong too!

Simple Steps to Fill a Kong

Simply follow these steps, which are also shown in the video below:

1. Measure out a portion of your dog’s kibble rations. Depending on the size of the Kong, I like to use between ¼ -1/2 cup.
2. Pour the kibble into a large bowl or container.
3. Pour water over the kibble, completely submerging it.
4. Allow the kibble to soak for at least 30 minutes. It’s okay to let it soak overnight.
5. The kibble will swell and become very soft.
6. Scoop the softened kibble into a Kong, tapping it down after every few spoonfuls.
7. If desired, dollop in a spoonful of peanut butter, cream cheese or wet dog food into the opening of the Kong, sealing in the wet kibble.
8. Put the Kong into a zip-top bag and put into the freezer.
9. Serve frozen.

Tip:  Soften extra kibble and fill several Kongs at once, so you have them made in advance. Having a stash of frozen Kongs in the freezer gives you a grab-and-go tool any time your dog needs some enrichment, distraction, or something to enjoy while confined in a crate.

Mix It Up

Softened kibble is fine, but your dog will likely appreciate it if you get a little more creative from time to time. After all, we would get bored eating the same meal every day – so why wouldn’t they? Try these mix ins. You can either blend them with the food or you can get fancy and try layers.

• canned pumpkin
• peanut or almond butter (note – use unsalted and make sure there is no xylitol added)
• plain yogurt or goat’s milk kefir
• canned dog food
• frozen veggies or fruit slices
• dried liver, chicken feet or fish (these provide a great crunch!)
• shredded chicken or cheese
• cream cheese
• bone broth (no onions!)

Want Ongoing Support and Ideas for Family Fun with Your Dog?

If you are interested in getting tips for how to give your dog more mental enrichment, I send simple recipes along with other activities for dogs as part of my monthly membership. Get on the waitlist now and you will be the first to hear when I open up registration again. As a member, you’ll get a simple daily task that will make parenting kids and dogs easier and less chaotic. From simple dog training tips to fun activities for the whole family, my membership provides peace of mind as you parent kids and dogs.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I’ll earn a few pennies to buy more goodies for my dogs.

Tags: behavioral enrichment, feeding your dog, how to fill a kong, keeping your dog quiet, kong Category: Dog Behavior, Recipes for Dogs