How to Use a Dog Kong

Dog kongs are inexpensive hard rubber toys with a hole in the middle where you put a treat for your pet. They keep dogs busy for a long time because they appeal to the "hunter" instinct. In the wild, canines like wolves and coyotes would take care to get every piece of meat from a bone, even methodically licking at the marrow inside. They are instinctively accustomed to working for their food, rather than having it served in a bowl.

You can keep your dog happy with a kong if you stuff if with a variety of nutritious food.

Things You'll Need

  • A kong made for dogs Peanut butter, dog kibble, ham, cheese, hard dog biscuits
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure the kong is clean. Wash it carefully after each use, or put it in the dishwasher after rinsing well in hot water. If some food has hardened inside, try pouring boiling water through the center hole, being careful not to burn yourself.

    • 2

      Stuff with peanut butter or soft cheese. Put the kong -- narrow opening down -- on a piece of plastic wrap and press peanut butter or soft cheese into the wide opening.

    • 3

      Stuff with small pieces of dog cookies, cereal bits or cubes of hard cheese.

    • 4

      Alternate layers of cream cheese or peanut butter with harder bits. You also can use toddler food, baby carrots or dried fruit.

    • 5

      Make your dog work to get the food by cramming in things that will take a lot of maneuvering to extract.