Does your canine pal have a Kong Toy? If not, you may want to pick one up. They can keep Fido occupied and out of trouble, provide mental stimulation, and slow him down if he tends to gobble treats too quickly. One of the reasons our canine buddies love these toys so much is because they can be stuffed. A local Southeast Denver, CO vet lists some things you can use for this in this article.
Possible Stuffings
There’s really almost no end to the things you can put in Fido’s Kong. Plain, cooked meat, fish, or chicken is always a good bet. You can also add pieces of pet-safe fruits and veggies, such as apples, bananas, peas, spinach, carrots, and melons. Other ‘pawsible options include cooked egg, oatmeal, natural peanut butter. Pureed pumpkin is also a good bet. Kongs are also freezable. If you want to add something liquid to freeze, you can use sodium-free broth, plain fat-free yogurt, cottage cheese, baby food, or water. You’ll need to plug the hole before putting it in the freezer. Peanut butter is a good option for that. You can also use a baggie, though you’ll have to remove it before handing it over.
Combinations
Ever find yourself with random leftovers? Put them in the Kong! Just be sure to stick with safe options. Some unsafe foods include garlic and onions; grapes, currants, and raisins; pitted fruit; avocado; chocolate; raw dough; meat on the bone; coffee; and anything that contains xylitol and or a lot of fat, sugar, or salt. If you add canned goods, such as baby food, check the labels, and make sure they don’t contain anything unsafe.
Starting Out
You may need to experiment a bit to find out what your pooch likes best. Start simple, with some kibble or a store-bought filler. Be sure to compliment your furry pal for using his toy: this will help instill good chewing habits. It’s also important to keep track of the calories. If you put a can of dog food into Fido’s toy, you’ve basically just given him another meal! It’s also important to make sure that your canine pal’s toy is the right size for him.
For more tips on keeping your dog happy and healthy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. As your local Southeast Denver, CO animal clinic, we’re here to help!
