Friday 1 February 2019

Kong Stuffing

 Stuffed Kongs!


Frozen stuffed Kongs are among the best and easiest ways to enrich your dog by giving them something tasty and fun to do that will last a while.

If you've never made one before, here are some suggestions/ideas: 

Measure out one meal for your pet.  
 

Yes, you can do this for cats too!  
Just use their kitty kibble with some canned wet cat food, 
or use their usual canned wet food all on its own :) 

Mix in about a 1 /2 can of canned wet food.


No canned dog food on hand?  No problem, simply pour a small amount of water over your kibble - just enough to soften it - then let it sit for a few minutes while the water is absorbed.  Alternatively you can use puréed vegetables (mix a bit of water and carrots in the blender, or purchase sugar-free puréed pumpkin, even unsweetened apple sauce works in a pinch).  For cats we definitely recommend using their canned wet cat food as they require a higher protein diet and you don't want them having too many carbohydrates.


Spoon the mixture into Kongs and place in the freezer.
For dogs, you can add a spoonful of peanut butter over the top to seal it off if you like (I prefer to use all-natural peanut-butter with no sugar added).

Why the freezer?  This way the mixture freezes and takes longer for your dog to work through.  The bonus is that you can make up as many Kongs as you have as far in advance as you want and they will stay fresh in your freezer and are ready to go any time you need them.  This is fantastic for unexpected thunderstorms or any situation in which you need your dog to keep busy or distracted.

If your pet gets frustrated too easily and gives up you can start out without freezing the Kongs, then freezing half and adding fresh food on top, and then gradually make the Kong more difficult as they become more skilled at getting the food out.  You can mix in a few more tempting treats or something with a stronger scent to really entice your pet.  The idea is to keep them engaged and having fun! 

Our dog gets 1 cup of kibble per meal.  This mixed with a 1/2 can of wet food and some carrot chunks fills two large Kongs and two small Kongs, plenty to keep her busy for quite some time! 


Other options for filling Kongs or other stuffable toys for dogs: 
  • canned puréed pumpkin - high in fibre (make sure you get 100% pure pumpkin and not pie filling!)
  • all-natural peanut butter (keep in mind this is high in fat and be sure it does not contain xylitol) 
  • all canned wet food (without the kibble) can be done up more quickly for dogs or cats if needed
  • diced bits of your dog's favourite vegetables or fruits (some fruits, such as grapes, are not safe for dogs - if in doubt, as your veterinarian!)
  • anything safe that your pet enjoys - treats, left-over cooked turkey, etc. 

Final step: The best part!  Serve and watch your pet enjoy :)



For more ideas to keep your pet busy and having fun, 


About Us


Pawsitive Pet Care has been providing dog walking, dog training, dog boarding, and pet sitting services to Headingley and West Winnipeg since 2010.  We also serve the R.M. of Cartier including Headingley, Elie, St. François Xavier, and Springfield.  

To learn more about us please

Visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PawsPetMB
or visit our website at PawsitiveCare.ca

Jillian is a fear-free certified and CPDT-KA certified animal behaviour specialist and has been working in the animal care and behaviour field since 2009.  



No comments:

Post a Comment