How to Use a KONG for a Puppy
If you have recently welcomed a puppy into your home, you will no doubt be looking for a toy that can keep them entertained and channel some of that boundless energy!
KONG toys are chewable dog toys that can be filled with treats and foodstuffs that your dog can retrieve by working the toy with their mouths. KONG products are long-established, and many dog owners swear by their toys.
If you haven’t bought your dog a KONG yet, we recommend that you do. Here are a few of the things that make KONGs such great toys and how to use one for your puppy.
Choosing a KONG for your puppy
When you are buying a KONG for your puppy, there isn’t a one size fits all solution as to what the best size and shape will be. The right type of KONG depends on the size and age of your dog and there are KONGs for dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages and chewing levels, such as the Classic KONG, and the KONG Bamboo Feeder Ball. The packaging of the product should give you an indication of what type of dog it is suitable for.
What are the benefits of KONG toys for puppies?
Encourages working and chewing
Dogs have a natural desire to work and be active, and using a KONG allows them to fulfil this. KONG toys filled with food encourage this behaviour and your puppy’s healthy chewing habits so that when they eat their normal food, they don’t just wolf it down and give themselves stomach trouble.
Good for oral health
Regular chewing is good for your puppy’s teeth, providing whatever they’re chewing isn’t too tough for them. Dogs use their mouths for everything, so dental and oral health are extremely important, and KONG toys can keep your puppy’s teeth healthy if they use them regularly.
Mentally stimulating
Because your puppy has to work at retrieving the food when they use a KONG, it keeps their mind occupied on the task at hand. This is particularly useful for dogs who are destructive when bored and may chew things they are not supposed to.
Physically stimulating
As well as engaging your puppy’s brain, a KONG engages their bodies too, which can entice more sedentary dogs to play more and generally be more active. Puppies usually have a lot of energy, but as they get older, some may need a little nudge!
Alleviates separation anxiety
It can be difficult to leave our dogs at times because we can’t explain where or why we are going, and many puppies suffer from separation anxiety when their owners leave them alone. KONGs can provide a distraction from this by giving your dog a task of sorts to complete whilst you are away and calming their nerves.
How to fill a KONG for your puppy
The great thing about a KONG is that it is an investment; they are resilient and if you buy the correct type for your puppy, they won’t be able to destroy it. You can also fill it with anything dog-friendly that you might already have in the cupboard, meaning you don’t have to buy the KONG brand fillings when you run out. Here’s a useful guide from Kong on how to stuff your kong www.kongcompany.com/learn/stuff-a-kong
Some of the things you might use in a KONG for your puppy are:
KONG fillings (various flavours)
Dog-safe peanut butter
Kibble
Wet dog food
Their normal treats
Canned fish
Apple sauce
Meat pates
Cream cheese
Cottage cheese
Yoghurt
These are just a few options, and you can even mix and match. KONGs are also designed to be frozen so that whatever you fill it with is more of a challenge for your dog to get at. So, make sure whatever you fill your KONG with can be frozen too if you want to get the most out of the toy! Lots more help and advice below:
Let us know what fillings your dogs love in their kongs in the comments below.