Hooray for Kongs!

Dogs are all different when it comes to what they like to play with. Some are chewers, some are chasers, some like tugging and wrestling, most go wild for a squeaker. Sometimes a toy will be ignored for weeks and then overnight become a solid favorite.  But there are some toys that have become classics, and that's because almost all pups love them.

I wish I had stock in the company that makes Kong. They started in the 1970s but really seemed to explode in popularity in the 90s. Their classic Kong toy, resembling a red rubber snowman, is found in almost every dog owner's home -- and for good reason. Dogs love its wobbly, unpredictable bounce when thrown, and the hollow center can be stuffed with yummy treats. 

As a petsitter, I recommend Kongs to all my clients. A dog with a stuffed Kong in a crate or other enclosed, dog-safe area is set up for success when home alone: happily working away on their treat until they settle and fall asleep.

Kongs come in a lot of sizes, and it's important to get the right size that will be safe for your dog. If your dog is a champion chewer, you can get extra tough Kongs. Read the label and ask store staff if you need help picking the right one.

What makes a great Kong filler? You can buy specially-made stuff at the pet store, but it's much less expensive to make up your own things at home, based on what you know your dog likes. I find a combination of stuff works best, to keep the dog interested. You might be thinking cheese or peanut butter would be perfect, and boy, your dog would probably go wild for that! But it's awfully fatty, so you would only want to use a little. I like to put in three or four kibbles or small treats to start. Then a few spoonfuls of canned pumpkin. Dogs usually like the taste of pumpkin, and it's satisfying without a lot of calories. Maybe a spoonful of plain yogurt, then a few more kibbles, and just a smear of peanut butter to top it off. Then freeze that, and you've got the perfect "pupsicle".

 

You can find lots of recipes and ideas for Kong stuffings all over the internet. They can be as plain or fancy as your dog likes! 

It's important to remember that a treat like this will add extra calories to your dog's diet. Keep it healthy, and adjust his regular mealtime rations to avoid overfeeding.