Out of all the treats that have come through the rescue (and believe us, there has been tons, literally), one is always the shining star: the frozen Kong. Okay, well a treat called “Duck Meatballs” may have given the Kong a run for it’s money, but that is a different discussion.
A Kong is a versatile vessel and can be filled with almost anything. Kibble, fruits, vegetables, meat, peanut butter and yogurt can all be combined in different ways to give fido a new treat whenever he gets board. Throw it in the freezer and you have a cool, healthy treat that will keep fido busy. Plus, this treat also provides positive reinforcement for laying calmly and focusing on something other than you or the other items in your home. Win win!
So what do you fill it with?
So now comes the tricky part. What do you stuff the Kong with? This is a popular question we get asked, not only by our adopters, but by our fosters as well! Luckily, our friend and amazing certified canine behavior consultant Maria Huntoon, CBCC-KA, has shared some of her favorite (and healthy) Kong recipes. We’ve highlighted some of the foster favorites for you to try too!
Nutter Butter
-Banana, slightly smashed
-Apple, peeled and finely chopped
-Just a bit of peanut butter, natural and free of artificial sweeteners (particularly xylitol which is toxic to dogs!)
Tutti Fruitti
-Your dog’s kibble, soaked in water until it’s swollen and mushy, then drained
-Nonfat Greek yogurt – the thick, real kind
-Blueberries
-Seedless watermelon, chopped or slightly smashed
Pot Pie
-Sweet potato, cooked and mashed
-Carrots, cooked or raw, finely chopped or shredded
-Peas, cooked or frozen
-Chicken, cooked and chopped (unseasoned)
Of course, these are just a few examples of what you can stuff that amazing Kong with. See Maria’s full list, ingredient suggestions, and even a short video on how to stuff a Kong here: http://www.mghcanineconsulting.com/the-amazing-frozen-kong-recipes-for-relaxation.html.
Can you provide a Kong for a foster?
Kong toys are a very valuable tool for our fosters, not only as a treat but also as a learning tool. Unfortunately, because they are so valuable we never seem to have enough to go around. We would gladly (and gratefully) accept any donations of Kong toys. If you are interested in helping out, please contact us.
