Frozen Kong Fillings: 7 Easy Summer Ideas to Keep Your Dog Busy

byPaw Zivae • • 2 min read
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Summer can be a great time to keep your dog busy, but you may find you spend more time indoors.

A frozen Kong can be a great way to entertain them. Simply add some soft food to a suitable rubber food toy and pop it in the fridge to freeze.

The best part about this is that you don’t need any expensive ingredients or complicated recipes. You can use everyday ingredients like mashed banana, plain pumpkin, dog-safe peanut butter and your dog’s usual wet food.

You can find 7 easy recipes below, along with some tips on how to make them and some safety tips.

Dog finding kibble in an indoor enrichment game.

Why Give Your Dog A Frozen Kong During Summer?

Frozen Kongs are a great way to keep your dog entertained. The food inside will change texture and can take longer for them to eat.

There are a few reasons why you may want to try one:

Mental stimulation – your dog will have to work a bit to get the food out.
They will take longer to eat – the food will take longer to eat as it is frozen.
They will be entertained indoors – great for hot afternoons where you may not want them outside.
Easy to prepare – Make a few and pop them in the freezer!
Variety – You can switch up the fillings.

However, they aren’t guaranteed to last 30 minutes. The time will depend on the ingredients, how much food you add, the size of the toy and how experienced your dog is.

Also, do not use this as a replacement for fresh water, suitable exercise, walks during cooler times of the day or other enrichment.

7 Easy Frozen Kong Fillings For Dogs

These are all easy recipes to make with affordable ingredients. Make sure to use ingredients that are safe for your dog and introduce new ingredients slowly.

1 Peanut Butter And Banana

This is an easy filling using thick soft ingredients.

Many dogs will love this combination. It is easy to prepare.

Ingredients:
  • Ripe banana (small amount)
  • Plain peanut butter (small amount)
Instructions:
  1. Peel the banana and mash up a small amount with a fork.
  2. Add a small amount of plain peanut butter.
  3. Mix together.
  4. Spoon into the Kong.
  5. Pop into the freezer.
Top Tip: Make sure the peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol (birch sugar). This can be extremely toxic to dogs. Also make sure to use only a small amount of peanut butter as it is high in fats.

2 Plain Yogurt And Blueberries

Great for dogs who love fruit!

The yogurt will create a smooth texture and the blueberries will add some texture.

Ingredients:
  • Plain unsweetened yogurt
  • Fresh blueberries (a few)
Instructions:
  1. Wash the blueberries.
  2. Mash up lightly with a fork.
  3. Mix with a small amount of plain yogurt.
  4. Spoon into the Kong.
  5. Pop into the freezer.
Top Tip: Make sure the yogurt does not contain any added sugars, sweeteners or xylitol. Some dogs struggle with digesting lactose so if your dog has issues with dairy, avoid using it. If your dog hasn’t had yogurt before start with a small amount.

3 Pumpkin And Wet Food

This is a great option if you want to keep things simple.

Plain pumpkin puree will give you a thick texture and your dog’s usual wet food will give them a familiar taste.

Ingredients:
  • Plain pumpkin puree
  • Usual wet food
Instructions:
  1. Add a small amount of wet food into a bowl.
  2. Add a small amount of plain pumpkin puree.
  3. Mix together to create an easy to spoon texture.
  4. Spoon into the Kong.
  5. Pop into the freezer.
Top Tip: Make sure to use plain pumpkin, no added sugars, spices or seasoning. Do not use pumpkin pie filling. Also remember to count this as part of your dogs daily meal allowance.

4 Mashed Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is an affordable ingredient to use. It will create a thick texture.

This is easy to mash.

Ingredients:
  • Small sweet potato.
Instructions:
  1. Wash and peel the sweet potato.
  2. Cook until fully soft.
  3. Leave to cool.
  4. Mash until smooth.
  5. Spoon a suitable amount into the Kong.
  6. Pop into the freezer.
Top Tip: Make sure to use cooked sweet potato. Don’t add anything extra like butter, salt, sugar or seasoning. Also, make sure to serve a suitable amount.

5 Apple And Banana Mash

Two easy fruit options that can be mixed together to create a natural sweet filling.

This is very easy to make.

Ingredients:
  • Small piece of ripe banana.
Instructions:
  1. Wash the apple.
  2. Remove the core and all the seeds.
  3. Peel the banana.
  4. Mash up both fruits.
  5. Spoon into the Kong.
  6. Pop into the freezer.
Top Tip: Only use the flesh of the apple. Never include the core or seeds. Both fruits contain natural sugars so make sure to serve a small amount.

6 Carrot And Wet Food Filling

If your dog loves carrots then cook some up and mix with their usual wet food.

This will create a thick texture and is easy to make.

Ingredients:
  • One small carrot.
  • A portion of your dog’s usual wet food.
Instructions:
  1. Wash and peel the carrot.
  2. Cook until fully soft.
  3. Leave to cool.
  4. Mash up to create a smooth texture.
  5. Mix with a small amount of wet dog food.
  6. Spoon into the Kong and pop into the freezer.
Top Tip: Don’t add anything extra like butter, salt or seasoning. Make sure there are no large hard pieces of carrot that could cause a choking hazard.

7 Dog-Safe Broth And Wet Food

If your dog likes savoury foods then mix their usual wet food with a little plain dog-safe broth.

This can create a softer texture.

Ingredients:
  • Usual wet food.
  • A small amount of dog-safe broth.
Instructions:
  1. Add a small amount of wet food into a bowl.
  2. Add a little of the broth.
  3. Stir together to create an easy to spoon texture.
  4. Fill the Kong, do not overfill.
  5. Pop into the freezer.
Top Tip: Make sure to check what is in the broth. It shouldn’t contain any onion, garlic, too much salt or unsuitable seasonings. Choose a product designed for dogs or make a suitable homemade version.

How To Make A Frozen Kong

Once you’ve decided on a filling it’s easy to make.

Steps:

  1. Choose the correct size. Make sure to use a Kong or similar food toy that is suitable for your dog’s size and chewing habits.
  2. Make sure it is clean and doesn’t have any cracks or loose parts.
  3. Prepare your filling. Mash or mix together your chosen ingredients.
  4. Scoop the filling into the toy. Make sure to leave enough space for your dog to access the food.
  5. Pop upright in a suitable container and put into the freezer. Freeze until firm.
  6. Make sure the filling isn’t too hard and the toy is safe to use.
  7. Supervise your dog whilst they enjoy their frozen treat.

If your dog is new to food toys then start with a small amount of loose filling so they can easily understand how to get the food out.

Tips For Keeping Your Dog Busy With A Frozen Kong

Here are some easy tips to make the activity more enjoyable.

  • Make ahead. Create a few suitable fillings and pop into the freezer to have ready for another day.
  • Start with easy fillings. Don’t overfill the food.
  • Use familiar foods. Use ingredients your dog can tolerate.
  • Mix up the textures. Swap between mashed fruits, pumpkin, wet food and cooked vegetables.
  • Use a suitable amount. Make sure this is part of your dogs daily food allowance.
  • Use a suitable surface. Make sure they have a comfortable place to use it.
  • Clean thoroughly. Wash the toy thoroughly.

You can create a few different fillings in small amounts.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Although these are easy to make there are a few mistakes to avoid.

Wrong Ingredients

Never assume human food is safe for your dog. Avoid using chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts and anything with xylitol.

Make sure to check the ingredients on your peanut butter, yogurt, broth and any other pre-packed items.

Too Hard

Don’t make the Filling Too Hard for your dog to access. Don’t make it too solid.

Start with a softer filling and adjust the freezing time depending on how experienced your dog is.

Too Much Food

A frozen Kong shouldn’t be used as an extra large meal.

Use a suitable amount and make sure to count the ingredients towards their daily food allowance.

No Supervision

Some dogs will lick their food toys and others may try to chew them. Always supervise your dog and take the toy away if it gets damaged.

Not Cleaning

After your dog has finished there may still be some food inside. Wash the toy thoroughly following the manufacturer’s guidelines and let it dry.

FAQs

1. How Long Will A Frozen Kong Keep My Dog Busy?

This will depend on the ingredients, how much you pack in, the size of the toy and how experienced your dog is. Some dogs will finish quickly and others will take longer. Some may last 30 minutes but this is not guaranteed.

2. Can I Use Peanut Butter In A Frozen Kong?

Yes, you can use a small amount of plain peanut butter. Make sure it doesn’t contain any xylitol or unsuitable ingredients. Don’t use too much as it is high in fats.

3. Can I Freeze A Kong Overnight?

Yes, usually you can make a suitable food toy and pop it in the freezer overnight. Make sure the toy is suitable for freezing and the filling isn’t too hard for your dog.

4. What Is The Easiest Frozen Kong Filling?

One of the easiest is to use your dog’s usual wet food. Simply scoop in a suitable amount and pop in the freezer.

5. Can Puppies Have Frozen Kong Fillings?

Often yes, make sure to use a suitable size food toy that is safe for puppies. Use soft suitable ingredients. Don’t use anything too hard. If you’re unsure then always check with your vet.

6. Can I Give My Dog A Frozen Kong Everyday?

You can include a suitable frozen food toy into your dog’s routine. Make sure the ingredients and amounts are suitable for their dietary requirements. Make sure to count the filling as part of their daily food allowance and provide a variety of other enrichment activities.

Final Thoughts

A frozen Kong can be a simple way to keep your dog entertained indoors during the summer. You don’t need to use any expensive treats or complicated recipes.

Try using peanut butter and banana, plain yogurt and blueberries, pumpkin and wet food or one of the other easy recipes.

Always make sure to use dog-friendly ingredients, suitable amounts and supervise your dog. A frozen Kong should only be a small part of a balanced routine. Make sure to include exercise, training, rest and lots of attention.

With a little preparation you can create an enjoyable summer activity using a few simple ingredients.

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