Healthy Kong Stuffers Recipes: Best Kong Stuffing Ideas

A stuffed KONG has a plug in the small opening, a filling in the middle, and something sticky on top, and a few hours in the freezer make it last longer. The fillers below are foods the American Kennel Club covers in its guides to what dogs can eat: peanut butter, banana, pumpkin, chicken, yogurt, blueberries, carrots, and green beans.

How to stuff a KONG

KONG gives these steps on its own FAQ page: “Start with something that will plug the small opening, like a treat or a smear of peanut butter, then layer in kibble, treats, or wet food, and cap it off with something sticky on top. Freezing a stuffed KONG for a few hours makes it last longer and adds a layer of challenge.”

For a dog that has never had one, KONG suggests: “Start simple by loosely filling the toy with easy-to-remove treats. As your dog gains confidence, gradually make the challenge more difficult by packing ingredients more tightly or freezing the toy.”

KONG says “freezing is recommended for dogs who finish a stuffed KONG too quickly” and calls a frozen one “a great warm-weather treat.” It also says “Layering ingredients or freezing them can extend playtime.”

Plain yogurt can also be frozen without a toy. The AKC says to “spoon plain yogurt into silicone popsicle molds or ice cube trays and freeze.” For hot days, frozen dog treat recipes that skip the toy are another option.

Foods that stay out of a KONG

Check the label of every food before it goes in. The AKC warns about several common kitchen foods:

• Xylitol. The AKC says it “is safe for people, but toxic to dogs.” It turns up in sugar-free products and in some peanut butter.
• Grapes and raisins. The AKC says they “are highly toxic to dogs and should never be considered a safe treat.”
• Onions and garlic. The AKC says “onions and the rest of the allium family, which includes shallots, leeks, chives, and garlic, are harmful to dogs.”
• Pumpkin pie mix and pie filling. The AKC says dogs “shouldn’t eat canned pumpkin pie mix or pumpkin pie filling, either, as these usually have the sugars, fats, and dairy already incorporated.”
• Nutmeg and other spices. The AKC says some of the spices in a pumpkin spice blend “may be safe for dogs in moderation,” but “others, like nutmeg, are toxic to dogs in larger quantities.”

If a dog may have eaten something poisonous, the ASPCA says: “call (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.”

Peanut butter and banana

The dog stereotype about peanut butter is a true thing among our canine friends, which is why this combo is always a hit with them.

The AKC says “Most peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat, and in moderation peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin.” It names “unsalted peanut butter, dog-specific peanut butter, or homemade peanut butter” as the healthiest options. It also says peanut butter “can be spread inside hollow bones and treat toys for a long-lasting treat.”

The AKC’s banana guide says “Bananas can be a nutritious treat that provides beneficial vitamins and minerals, but because they contain natural sugars, they should be served in moderation rather than as an everyday snack.” Among its serving ideas are to “Mix banana with a small amount of dog-safe peanut butter” and to “Place banana inside a stuffable dog toy and freeze it.”

The AKC’s own frozen banana recipe uses three ingredients and a stuffable toy.

• 1 ripe banana
• A scoop of peanut butter (verify that it doesn’t contain xylitol)
• 1 slice of mild cheese

1. Blend the banana, peanut butter, and cheese until smooth.
2. Spread the mixture onto or inside the toy.
3. Freeze before serving.

Choose a jar with no xylitol on the label. The AKC says “Banana peels aren’t toxic to dogs, but they are difficult to digest,” and to “always remove the peel before offering bananas to your dog.” On cheese, the AKC says “Only feed your dog cheese as an occasional treat.”

Pumpkin

The AKC says “Dogs can eat pure pumpkin, and most of them enjoy it.” Its description of the fruit is “low in fat, vitamin-rich, and high in fiber.” For canned puree it says to check that “the ingredients list includes 100% pumpkin and nothing else.”

Spoon the pure pumpkin puree into the KONG and freeze it. Plain yogurt or a smear of peanut butter on top makes the sticky cap that KONG describes.

Rice can go in with the pumpkin. The AKC says “adding some rice to your dog’s meals is perfectly fine” as long as the dog is maintaining a healthy weight, and to “boil it in water and do not add any seasonings or spices, which can upset stomachs or even be toxic.”

Chicken

The AKC says “any unseasoned roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken can be served on its own, mixed with your dog’s regular meal, or served as a treat.” It adds that you can mix chicken with “a healthy grain, and a vegetable such as string beans or other vegetables safe for dogs.”

Two cautions come from the same AKC page. “Be sure to take cooked chicken off the bone. Cooked chicken bones splinter easily, which can cause choking or a gastrointestinal tract puncture.” And “Some dogs are allergic to chicken, and it ranks among the top 10 allergy-inducing ingredients.” The AKC also says “Most sources recommend against raw chicken, due to the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections.”

Yogurt and blueberries

The AKC says “You can also fill a stuffable chew toy, such as a KONG, with yogurt and freeze to create a long-lasting enrichment treat.” The yogurt has to be “plain and free of any added sweeteners,” because “some artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, are toxic to dogs.” The AKC says plain, Greek-style yogurt “is typically better for dogs because it has lower levels of lactose.”

Lactose matters because “Dogs’ bodies aren’t designed to digest lactose after puppyhood, and, therefore, a food high in lactose can cause gas, diarrhea, or vomiting.” The AKC says to “check in with your veterinarian” if a dog shows those symptoms, and to “feed your dog a small amount at first and see how they react.”

For the berries, the AKC says “You can feed your dog both fresh and frozen blueberries.” It also says “Blueberries are small, which means you don’t need to cut them up. But there are still potential risks, such as choking, especially to smaller dogs.”

To make it, mash plain Greek yogurt with blueberries, spoon the mixture into the KONG, and freeze it for a few hours. A small dab of the yogurt or peanut butter on top closes the opening.

Low calorie fillers

Several of the AKC’s vegetable and fruit guides call a food low in calories. These are the three that fit a KONG.

• Carrots. The AKC calls carrots “a healthy, low-calorie snack.” It says to “cut whole carrots and even carrot sticks into bite-size chunks before feeding them to your dog to prevent choking.” It also says “Some vets even recommend cold or frozen carrots for teething puppies, as a way to relieve discomfort.”
• Green beans. Dr. Karen Cantor, Director of Veterinary Medicine at Westside Veterinary Center in New York City, says green beans are safe for dogs to eat in moderation, and that you should “avoid canned green beans” because they contain high amounts of salt. The AKC adds that green beans cooked with butter aren’t recommended, and to “never feed dogs green beans cooked with garlic or garlic salt.” It says “In general, you should only give your dog green beans as low-calorie treats.”
• Blueberries. The AKC says “Blueberries are low in calories and contain high amounts of vitamin C, fiber, and phytochemicals.”

Banana is higher in sugar. The AKC says “they’re also high in natural sugar,” and that bananas “are best reserved as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of your dog’s daily diet.”

Healthy Kong Stuffers FAQs

What size Kong should I get?

Kongs come in six sizes. On the KONG Classic page, XSmall is listed for dogs up to 5 lbs, Small up to 20 lbs, Medium between 15 and 35 lbs, Large between 30 and 65 lbs, XLarge between 60 and 90 lbs, and XXLarge for 85+ lbs. KONG says “When in doubt, size up for added durability and safety, especially for power chewers!”

What do the KONG colors mean?

KONG says each rubber color matches a chewing ability. The red Classic is “suggested for average chewers.” The black Extreme is “the strongest rubber we manufacture” and is a choice for any power chewer. KONG also makes a softer Senior in purple, and a Puppy rubber in baby pink and baby blue.

What can I use to stuff a KONG for a puppy?

KONG says its Puppy toy “can be stuffed with Easy Treat Puppy, Ziggies Enhanced Puppy, dog-safe peanut butter, or other yummy treats.” The KONG Puppy rubber is the one KONG calls “a great choice for Puppies that are under 9 months old.” For sizing, KONG says to “Size based on your puppy’s current weight, not their expected adult size.”

How often can a dog have a stuffed KONG?

KONG says “Many dogs enjoy daily enrichment sessions with stuffed KONG toys as part of their regular routine.” Stuffed toys are for solo time, and time with you counts as social enrichment too. The filling counts as a treat, and the AKC says “In general, treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet.”

How do I clean a KONG?

KONG says “we suggest KONG rubber toys be washed in the sink using warm water, soap and a bottle brush or toothbrush.” It adds that rubber toys are “top-rack dishwasher safe (skip the heated dry cycle),” and that “we do not recommend using bleach or chemicals of any kind.”

Should I watch my dog with a KONG?

KONG says “we suggest supervising your dog with their KONG as no dog toy is indestructible!” It says to “Remove the toy from play immediately and discard if you notice cracks, chunks missing, or the toy becoming significantly worn down.” Put on your favorite dog shirt before the stuffing starts.

Sources

• KONG Company. Frequently Asked Questions.
• KONG Company. KONG Classic (sizes).
• KONG Company. KONG Puppy.
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Have Pumpkin Spice?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Rice?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Chicken?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Yogurt?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Carrots?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Have Green Beans?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Cheese?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Grapes?
• American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Onions?
• ASPCA. Animal Poison Control.