As dog owners, we can all agree that KONGs are the greatest thing to happen since sliced bread. They keep your dog mentally stimulated and busy for hours. But if your dog is picky, they might get bored with the classic KONG fillers. Spice up your pup’s days with these 35 creative KONG filling ideas that are super easy and nutritious, too.
Traditional KONG Filling Ideas
There are plenty of tried-and-true KONG fillings that dogs drool over. If you’re trying out a KONG for the first time, this is a great place to start.
- Peanut butter: Spread a tablespoon dog-safe peanut butter around the inside of the KONG toy.
- Canned dog food: You can either fill the entire KONG with canned dog food (just make sure you measure how much you’re using and subtract that from your pup’s regular meal) or smear some inside the KONG.
- KONG Stufferz: The brand that created this toy actually manufactures special chews, treats, and even easy-squeeze peanut butter to fill your KONG.
Thoroughly clean the KONG between uses. In case you didn’t know, KONGs are top-rack dishwasher safe!
Creative KONG Filler Recipes
It doesn’t need to be your dog’s birthday to make them a special treat (although that’s definitely one way to celebrate them). Try out these sweet or savory KONG filling ideas whenever the mood strikes or if you want to change things up.
Pumpkin Spice Doggy Oatmeal
Pumpkin has loads of benefits for dogs. Just make sure you use plain canned or cooked pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) to make sure this recipe is dog friendly.
- Mix pumpkin puree with cooled, cooked oats.
- Fill the KONG with the mixture.
- Offer to your dog as is, or freeze it for 3 to 4 hours first.
Taters & Beef
Give your pup a little taste of a meat and potatoes dinner with this recipe. You’ll need to make sure you prepare the ingredients without any spices or additives (which could upset your dog’s tummy). Either cook a special batch for your pup or remove a bit before you add onion, butter, or whatever else they can’t eat.
- Mix lean ground beef with mashed potatoes (white or sweet).
- Fill the KONG with the mixture.
- Offer to your dog as is, or freeze it for 3 to 4 hours first.
Bananas for Banana Royale
A banana royale is a bit like a banana split, just with sliced bananas instead of one split lengthwise down the middle. This recipe is not only safe for your dog, but it will provide them with beneficial probiotics and calcium thanks to the yogurt (which we’re using in place of ice cream). Try it out and see if your dog screams for this ice cream-filled KONG!
- Mix 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt with ¼ cup diced bananas and strawberries.
- Spoon the mixture into the KONG and fill with sliced bananas and strawberries.
- Seal the top with a bit of yogurt.
- Offer to your dog as is, or freeze it for 3 to 4 hours first.
Thanksgiving Dinner KONG Filler
Who says your dog can’t take part in Thanksgiving dinner? This KONG filling idea incorporates all the holiday dishes you love (hello, turkey, cranberries, green beans, and sweet potatoes!) into one decadent treat. Plus, these ingredients can help boost your pup’s immune system and improve their bladder health. That sounds like a win-win to us.
- Mix equal parts mashed sweet potato, diced cooked turkey, cranberries (either plain cooked or diced frozen), and diced fresh or frozen green beans.
- Spoon the mixture into the KONG.
- Offer to your dog as is, or freeze it for 3 to 4 hours first.
Watermelon Pupsicle
On a hot summer day, there’s nothing better than a refreshing popsicle to cool you down. Make your dog their own version using a KONG.
- Place a bit of canned dog food in the bottom of the KONG to seal the smaller end.
- Pour blended watermelon into the toy until full.
- Place it in the freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours.
- Give the KONG a quick rinse with water before serving.
Criss Cross Apple Sauce
Applesauce is a very underrated dog treat, in my opinion. Unfortunately, most of the applesauces out there contain added sugar or xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. So you’ll have to do your due diligence to find one that’s safe or make your own. But I promise, your dog will be so grateful to get their paws on this yummy KONG filling.
- Mix 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce with ¼ cup diced apples.
- Spoon the mixture into the KONG.
- Offer to your dog as is, or freeze it for 3 to 4 hours first.
PB & B
Peanut butter and banana is a twist on the classic KONG filling. Your dog will be licking their KONG and the roof of their mouth for hours with this tasty recipe.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of peanut butter with ¼ cup diced banana.
- Spread the mixture on the inside of the KONG, then fill the rest of the KONG with sliced bananas.
- Seal the top with a bit of peanut butter.
- Offer to your dog as is, or freeze it for 3 to 4 hours first.
KONGs come in six different sizes as well as chewing "levels." Pick the one that's the best fit for your dog based on their size and chewing strength.
Even More Ideas for Fillings
You can modify any of these recipes to accommodate dogs with special diets or those that are just plain picky. Or simply pack your KONG with any one or a few of these delicious, nutritious, and dog-friendly filler ideas.
- Apples
- Banana
- Blueberries
- Carrots
- Chicken breast
- Cooked squash
- Corn
- Cottage cheese
- Cucumber
- Bell pepper
- Dog treats
- Frozen broth
- Green beans
- Kibbled soaked in broth
- Meat baby food (without onion or garlic)
- Peas
- Pumpkin
- Rice
- Scrambled egg
- Spinach
- Strawberry
- Sweet potato
- Watermelon
- Yogurt
- Zucchini
How to Fill a KONG
You want to make the most of your filled KONG and ensure it entertains your dog for as long as possible. That’s why filling it correctly is super important.
- Gather your filling. First, decide what you’ll fill your KONG with. Because you don’t want the yummies to just fall out the bottom, try not to fill it with tiny kibbles, peas, or anything like that. It’s helpful to use something gooey, like canned dog food or peanut butter, to keep everything together.
- Fill the KONG. When you fill your KONG, you’ll fill it from the larger opening, with the “bottom” being the smaller hole. Spread the gooey ingredients along the inside of the KONG to give your dog something to really work for, then fill the rest of the KONG with diced fruits, veggies, kibble, meat, or whatever else you like.
- Seal the top. To prevent the filling from just falling out, it’s helpful to seal the bottom with a bit of wet dog food, peanut butter, or something else gooey.
To Freeze or Not to Freeze?
Can you freeze a KONG? You bet! It usually takes about 3 to 4 hours for a filled KONG to freeze all the way through. Just make sure you rinse it off with water before serving it to prevent the icy rubber from sticking to your dog’s tongue, a la A Christmas Story.
Get Creative With KONG Fillings
A lot of owners use KONGs daily to feed their dogs entire meals. This is especially helpful if you have a dog that eats too quickly or goes to eat their housemate’s food after finishing theirs. You can certainly use a KONG in this way, offer it as a tasty enrichment game, or reserve it for special occasions. Whatever the case, don’t forget to get creative with your filling recipes. Your pup will definitely thank you.
