How to Use a Kong

Kong is a brand that makes super sturdy dog toys that can withstand even the sharpest of teeth. Kong toys are hollow in the middle, so you can fill them up with the treats and food items that your dog likes the most. Make sure you’re giving your dog food that’s safe for them to eat, and always wash your Kong out after each use.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Filling the Kong

1. Mix together kibble and wet dog food to create a thick mixture. Pour about 1/2 cup (64 g) of dry dog food into a bowl and combine it with a little bit of wet dog food. Mix your ingredients together to combine them so they stick together and are easier to spoon into the toy. You can try different mixtures of food depending on what your dog likes. Just be sure to mix solid foods with softer foods to bind the mixture together.^[1]
   
   
   
   • For example, try combining pureed pumpkin, spinach, and apple sauce for a fall flavor, or mix together turkey, carrots, and cream cheese for a summer picnic. Fruit, vegetables, and purees are healthy choices.
   • If your dog is on a restricted diet, talk to your vet before choosing ingredients to put in the Kong.
   • Double-check that foods are safe for dogs before including them. For instance, onions, garlic, grapes, and chicken bones are harmful to dogs and can make them sick.^[2]
2. Spoon the mixture into your Kong until it’s 2/3 full. The opening of the Kong is pretty wide, so you should be able to use a normal tablespoon to transfer your mixture. Fill up the toy until it’s almost, but not quite, full.^[3]
   
   
   • If you’re filling up a small Kong, you may need to use a popsicle stick instead of a spoon.
3. Spread peanut butter on top of the Kong to seal it. To seal the Kong to make sure the mixture doesn’t fall out, use a knife to gently spread some peanut butter into the top 1/3 of the Kong. Or, if your dog doesn’t like peanut butter, take a can of spray cheese and spray it into the very top of the Kong.^[4]
   
   
4. Freeze the Kong for an extra challenge for your dog. If your dog is super good at destroying toys or you want to entertain them for a few hours, put your full Kong into the freezer for about 1 hour to let the ingredients freeze together. Your dog will have to work harder to reach their treats since they’re all stuck together.^[5]
   
   • This is a great way to give your dog a chilly treat on a hot summer day.

[Edit]Giving the Kong to Your Dog

1. Introduce the Kong to your dog as a special treat. If your dog has never used a Kong before, they might not be too sure about it at first. Use a kind, sweet voice and tell your dog that you have a treat for them. Drop it on the floor and let your dog inspect it to smell the goodies inside.^[6]
   
   
2. Treat your dog with a Kong as a reward for good behavior. Since the Kong is filled with treats, it makes a great prize at the end of a long walk or a great day at the dog park. If your dog has been super good, you give them a Kong for some treats and a fun toy.^[7]
   
   
   
   • Kongs hold a lot of treats, so try to use them as a reward in moderation. Talk to your vet about the specific amount of treats your dog should have per week.
3. Use the Kong to manage your dog’s anxiety or high energy. If your dog doesn’t like to be alone or they have a ton of energy all day long, give them a Kong to keep them distracted and entertained for a little while. Since they have to use their brains to get to a treat, it can tire them out and make them feel good about themselves once they’ve finished.^[8]
   
   
   • If your dog barks a lot when you leave, a Kong can keep them distracted and quiet.
4. Prevent your dog from chewing or digging by giving them a Kong. If your dog loves to chew on the furniture or dig holes in the yard, they might need a distraction. Give them a full Kong to keep them occupied and less likely to destroy areas of your home.^[9]
   
   
5. Play fetch with an empty Kong toy. Kongs can be used in the place of a tennis ball if you want to give your dog some exercise. Try throwing an empty Kong toy around the yard as a fun way to expend some energy. At the end, you can fill up the Kong with treats and give it to your dog.^[10]
   
   
   • Kong also makes toys that float in water so you can play fetch on the beach.

[Edit]Cleaning the Kong

1. Soak the Kong in warm water and dish soap for 15 minutes. Fill a small bowl or bucket with of warm water and 2 to 3 drops of dish soap. Submerge the Kong fully into the water and leave it there for about 15 minutes to get rid of any treat residue.^[11]
   
   
   • Your dog probably cleaned out the inside of the Kong pretty well with their tongue, so you won’t have to worry about getting large pieces out.
2. Scrub the inside with a bottle brush or a toothbrush. Dip your brush into the soapy water and then wash out the inside of the Kong. Make sure you reach all the way inside of the toy until you reach the bottom.^[12]
   
   
3. Rinse the inside out with warm water or put it in your dishwasher. You can either finish washing your Kong in the sink by rinsing it out, or you can put it on the top rack of your dishwasher and run it through a wash cycle. Kongs are dishwasher safe, so they won’t warp or shrink in the hot water.^[13]
   
   
4. Leave the Kong out to dry before you store it. Set your Kong out on a towel with the hole facing outwards so the water can evaporate. Store your Kong in a pantry or a cabinet once it’s fully dry so your dog can enjoy their toy again and again.^[14]
   
   • Kongs are made to be sturdy and last a long time, even for dogs who like to chew a lot.

[Edit]Tips

• If your dog has never played with a Kong before, they may need a few minutes to sniff it before they start playing with it.

[Edit]Warnings

• Always double check that you are filling your Kong with dog-safe food.
• Grapes, walnuts, onions, and animal bones are all harmful to your dog.^[15]

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

[Edit]Filling the Kong

• Kong
• Bowl
• Spoon

[Edit]Cleaning the Kong

• Bowl
• Dish soap
• Towel

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/stuffing-recipes
2. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/foods-can-be-poisonous-pets
3. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/stuff-a-kong
4. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/stuff-a-kong
5. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/stuff-a-kong
6. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/tips-and-tricks
7. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/tips-and-tricks
8. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/solutions
9. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/solutions
10. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/dog/play-type
11. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/tips-and-tricks
12. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/tips-and-tricks
13. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/tips-and-tricks
14. ↑ https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/tips-and-tricks
15. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/foods-can-be-poisonous-pets