Best Kong Recipes: 21 Kong Stuffing Ideas for Puppies & Dogs | Pupford

When you’re looking for good ways to keep your dog busy or distracted, tasty Kong recipes are a great go-to to keep your dog mentally stimulated and entertained. They can provide hours of entertainment for your new pup or your adult dog. 

To keep your pup entertained, you'll want to find a variety of kong recipes. Keep in mind, some recipes are healthier than others, so be aware of your pup's weight needs.

Related Reading: Guide to Obese & Overweight Dogs

Whether you are using a Kong or a different enrichment toy, these recipes will be great for keeping your dog engaged and entertained for extended periods of time.

They’ll love the reward inside the toy, and you’ll love the quiet time as your puppy lays there occupied for a longer period of time.

*Quick Disclaimer On Calorie Intake for Dogs*

Whenever you give your pup extra treats, kong, snacks, etc. you need to calculate that into your pup's daily caloric intake. If you're giving your pup a kong with 500 calories worth of treats in it, you probably need to feed them less of their normal mealtime food. So, be conscious of the number of calories you put into your kong recipes.

You can check out how much you should be feeding your pup daily here.

Additionally, what you put in your kong is just a snack. It should never be a replacement for a balanced and healthy diet for your pup.

BEST KONG STUFFING IDEAS: 21 THINGS TO FILL A KONG WITH

Feel free to click here to print out all these ideas to put on your fridge!

1. PEANUT BUTTER

We are always conscious of what we put into our bodies and what we give to our dogs, so it’s important that we look at ingredients that are good for them.

Go with natural, xylitol-free peanut butter.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol that is often used as a sugar substitute in things like gum, candies and peanut butter. While non-toxic for human consumption, it is extremely toxic for dogs and can cause hypoglycemia, seizures, and liver failure.

Our favorite peanut butter is simply one ingredient: peanuts!

Freezing the peanut butter in the kong is an even better way to make this treat last longer.

🐶 Want your dog's Kong to be extra long-lasting? Add a healthy dog chew inside! Shop dog chews here! 🐶

2. YOGURT

When it comes to yogurt, plain Greek yogurt will be the best option. Be careful if your dog is lactose intolerant, as dairy can cause some issues for some dogs. Again, we love to freeze the yogurt or to mix it with other ingredients (like what you'll see below).

3. CANNED PUMPKIN

Pumpkin is a great option for pups who have been experiencing constipation or diarrhea. But make sure that you don’t overdo it. Too much pumpkin can also cause problems. Depending on the size of your dog, one to two tablespoons is a great starting point.

When looking for pumpkin, make sure that it is organic pumpkin without any other added ingredients.

4. VEGETABLES

We like to wedge larger chunks of veggies in the Kong to make it a little more difficult for your pup to get out. Just make sure that you are choosing vegetables that are good for your dog. Here is a list of veggies your dog can and can’t eat.

5. FRUITS

Some of our favorite fruits to put in a Kong include:

• Bananas
• Apples
• Mango
• Cantaloupe

Other fruits like peaches, pineapple, watermelon, nectarines, and strawberries are also good for your dog but are messier. Because of that, we prefer to freeze those first or keep your dog contained to the kitchen when eating their messy treat.

6. APPLESAUCE

Natural, sugar-free applesauce is the best for dogs. As a rule of thumb for most foods, think if it’s something that you would want to give to your children or eat yourself. Organic, natural, sugar-free and no extra fillers or additives is best.

And again, be sure to avoid any applesauce with xylitol.

🐶 Want your dog's Kong to be extra long-lasting? Add a healthy dog chew inside! Shop dog chews here! 🐶

7. DEHYDRATED DOG FOOD

If you are wanting your dog's lunch or dinner time to last longer, try putting it in the Kong.

To add it to a Kong, you will need to add water, then freeze it to create a solid consistency.

Many pup parents will use their puppy's food topper as a Kong filler!

8. MASHED POTATOES

Maybe this is getting weird, but you could create the perfect Thanksgiving meal for your dog in their Kong. Have leftovers? Give your pup some.

We prefer sweet potatoes over potatoes for the added health benefits. Also, be sure not to serve mashed potatoes with extra ingredients like sugar or butter.

9. OATMEAL

Oatmeal can be found in different dog foods and is a good addition to your dog's diet. It is packed with vitamins and minerals and a good source of fiber as well.

Cook up the oatmeal beforehand, and don’t add any sugar or other ingredients.

10. RICE

Mix some white rice, plain cooked chicken and sweet potato, then freeze for your pup if they have an upset stomach. This has always helped my dog when he gets sick.

11. COOKED GROUND MEAT

Our favorites are chicken, salmon, and beef. When cooking the meat, don’t add any spices. Regular, unseasoned meat is best.

• Chicken is great when your pup has an upset stomach and for the added protein.
• Salmon is great for the omega-3 fatty acids, which can also help the health of your dog’s coat.
• Beef is another high-quality protein source that also contains essential amino acids. Be sure to look for lean cuts of meat.

12. COTTAGE CHEESE

Cottage cheese is high in protein and calcium, so it is a good addition to your dog's diet. Like mentioned before, avoid giving too much dairy to your pup, especially if they have issues digesting dairy.

13. DOG TREATS

Fill your Kong with a few of your dog's favorite dog treats. Remember, that treats should make up 10% of their daily food intake, so making sure you choose treats that are low in calories and fat is important.

Pupford’s training treats are simple ingredient, low calorie treats perfect for training or adding to your dog’s Kong. 😉

14. BREAD

When dogs are sick, giving them plain, white bread is a good option to help calm their stomachs.

While we don’t recommend feeding your pup too much bread as it doesn’t actually provide any nutritional value, but small amounts are okay.

🐶 Want your dog's Kong to be extra long-lasting? Add a healthy dog chew inside! Shop dog chews here! 🐶

15. OTHER NUT BUTTERS

Like peanut butter, avoid other kinds of nut butter with xylitol.

We like cashew butter. Almond butter also isn’t toxic to dogs but should be given in moderation, like other nut butter, due to the high-fat content.

Nut butters to avoid include macadamia nuts, pecans, and pistachios.

16. EGGS

Fully cooked eggs are a great source of protein for your pup, again eggs are high in fat, so give them sparingly. And make sure they are cooked through all the way.

To get the egg to stay in the Kong, we like to put a sticky food over the top (like peanut butter) then freeze it. This is 

17. CARROTS

I know I already mentioned vegetables on the list. But carrots are one of the best human foods that your dog can eat. They are rich in beta-carotene for your dog's skin, coat, and eyesight, and contain fiber and antioxidants.

18. HONEY

This sticky treat will definitely take some work for your pup to get out of the Kong. Honey is loaded with vitamins, potassium, and antioxidants making it a good option for your pup.

Just don’t give your pup too much because of the sugar content. Additionally, be sure to avoid honey that is overly processed or treated with other ingredients. Simple, organic honey is your best bet :)

19. SQUASH

Like pumpkin, squash can be added to your dog's diet to boost up their stool and is a good source of beta-carotene. Remove the seeds and skin and don’t give it to them raw.

20. QUINOA

Quinoa is a healthy alternative for many starches. Make up some extra quinoa? Add it to your pup's Kong recipe with some other ingredients on the list and watch them go to town.

🐶 Want your dog's Kong to be extra long-lasting? Add a healthy dog chew inside! Shop dog chews here! 🐶

21. BROTH

Beef and chicken broth are good choices here, and bone broth is even better.

Warning when it comes to using broth for dogs: avoid making or using broths that contain onion and/or garlic and are high in sodium. If you can, find a broth specifically formulated for dogs, if you can't, be sure to be a label reader and look for products that don't contain ingredients and preservatives that are toxic to dogs.

To get it to stay, I like to start with nut butter, add some broth, then freeze.

MAKE YOUR OWN KONG RECIPES

Layer different foods in the Kong for your pup as you want. Always be conscious of the number of calories you are adding to the Kong, so if something is higher in calories, add a smaller amount.

When it comes to stuffing a Kong, start with the ingredient that can be frozen.

FROZEN KONG RECIPES

• Nut butters
• Dehydrated dog food
• Broth
• Yogurt
• Cottage Cheese
• Fruit
• Oatmeal
• Mashed Potatoes
• Applesauce

ADD-IN ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS

• Dog treats
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Rice
• Bread
• Eggs
• Quinoa
• Ground Meat

Then seal it all back up with some honey and peanut butter, a larger treat or veggie and give it to your pup for endless entertainment and a happy belly.

Try out your own kong recipes and let us know how they turned out.

OUR SECRET WEAPON ITEM TO PUT IN A KONG

If you really wanna keep your pup engaged, try adding a healthy dog chew to your pup's Kong, or another enrichment toy! Double the work, double the engagement, too!

Pup parents swear by putting a Bully Stick in a Kong, talk about a long-lasting toy!

Check out our full line of Dog Chews here!

🐶 Want your dog's Kong to be extra long-lasting? Add a healthy dog chew inside! Shop dog chews here! 🐶

ADDITIONAL FAQS ABOUT KONG RECIPES

Hopefully we've answered your top questions and you feel confident about making your puppy a tasty Kong! But, there are some more common questions we get, so let's answer those below. ⤵️

WHAT ARE THE BEST KONG RECIPES FOR PUPPIES?

While we've mostly answered this, finding the best kong recipes for puppies is all about creativity!

Try adding in some fruits, vegetables, yogurt, or even your puppy's kibble.

Here are some other fun ideas for puppy kong recipes:

• Eggs
• Oatmeal
• Kibble
• Cottage cheese
• Dehydrated dog food
• Peanut butter
• Mashed potatoes

When in doubt, try it out (just make sure it's puppy-safe)!

WHAT TO PUT IN A KONG TO FREEZE?

Any item you can put in a normal Kong can also be used as a frozen Kong recipe!

While some are easier than others, here are some of my favorite things to put in a frozen Kong:

• Peanut butter
• Greek yogurt
• Meal toppers
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Kibble

These items are super easy to put in, freeze, and then give to your pup for tons of entertainment!

HOW DO YOU MAKE A KONG LAST HOURS?

While some dogs really power through Kongs, others can enjoy a Kong for hours.

Here are the best ways to make a Kong last longer, even for hours ⬇️

• Freeze the stuffed Kong overnight
• Use stickier fillers like peanut butter, honey, etc.
• Ensure the filler goes throughout the entire Kong, not just the top area
• Add in long-lasting chews
• Add a variety of types of fillers to mix it up for your dog

While not every Kong will last for hours for every dog, those ideas can help!

CAN YOU FREEZE KIBBLE IN A KONG?

Incorporating enrichment into your dog's daily routine is a great way to reduce problem behaviors!

The easiest way to make it a habit is to use Kongs during mealtime! So, if your dog uses kibble then you can use that as a stuffer in a Kong.

Here's how to freeze kibble in a Kong! 👇

1. Soak the kibble for about a minute
2. Place a small amount of peanut butter near the bottom of the Kong (but don't plug the hole completely)
3. Spoon in (or a funnel) the kibble
4. Place the kibble-filled Kong in the freezer, preferably overnight

Give to your dog as a part of their meal. It's easy!

ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES TO KONG TOYS?

Kong toys are fantastic, there's no doubt about that! But, they can be a bit expensive...

So if you're looking for a Kong alternative, you've got to check out Sodapup Toys.

Sodapup Toys are made in the USA of extremely durable material. They can stand up to even the strongest of power chewers!

Check out some amazing Sodapup Dog Toys here!

FINAL RECAP OF BEST KONG RECIPES FOR YOUR PUPPY & ADULT DOG

Like most things in life, trying out new stuffers is the primary way to find the best Kong recipes for your dog!

As long as the items are dog-safe then you can try them out. And don't forget, freezing your Kong is the best way to make it last longer!

What's your pup's favorite kong stuffing? Tell us in the comments!

OH, and if you're looking for a Kong alternative to switch things up, check out these Sodapup toys!

🐶 Want your dog's Kong to be extra long-lasting? Add a healthy dog chew inside! Shop dog chews here! 🐶