Need More Time in Your Life? Try These Recipes for Stuffing Chew Toys for Your Dog!
There are multiple ways to keep your dog entertained while you run errands or do chores around your home or RV. My dog’s favorite is chewing on a stuffed chew toy.
When I was learning to be a dog trainer, I listened to other experienced trainers who used recipes for stuffing these chew toys. I want to pass on some of this knowledge so we can have even more happy dogs and happy people.
I’ve purchased KONG and Sumo chew toys and have tried out a few recipes for stuffing them. Before you get started, however, make sure any food you use to stuff a chew toy is safe for dogs. For example, we now have to be careful that our peanut butter doesn’t contain Xylitol. Xylitol is very poisonous to dogs and can lead to fatal consequences.
In addition, make sure your vet approves of snacks you give to your dog. And, be sure to research how to adjust the amount of regular food you give him after he gets a food-stuffed toy. You don’t want to over-feed your dog and end up with one who is obese. This can cause a whole slew of other health problems. We want happy AND healthy dogs!
Here are some recipes for stuffing a chew toy:
CHICKEN OR TURKEY
Ingredients: cooked chicken or turkey, frozen carrots and peas mix, mashed potatoes
Mix all ingredients together and stuff into your dog’s toy. Keep at room temperature or freeze.
YOGURT
Ingredients: yogurt, pumpkin, oatmeal (cooked or uncooked)
Mix all ingredients together and stuff into your dog’s toy. If cooked, let cool to room temperature. This can also be frozen for a longer-lasting treat.
PEANUT BUTTER
Ingredients: peanut butter (Xylitol-free), your dog’s kibble
Mix ingredients together and stuff the toy. Keep at room temperature or freeze.
BANANAS
Ingredients: keep bananas in your freezer
Cut into halves or smaller slices depending on the size of the hole in the chew toy. Stuff into chew toy by themselves or with another ingredient like peanut butter, low fat cream cheese or plain, nonfat yogurt.
APPLES/APPLESAUCE
Ingredients: applesauce (no sugar added), wet dog food, apple cubes
Layer wet dog food, applesauce then cubed apple into chew toy, using the wet food as a plug for the openings. Then serve as-is or freeze and serve.
In addition to the ingredients in these recipes, you can mix and match any of the ingredients listed below, many of which are found in more recipes on the official KONG website. Just test them out with your dog. He or she will let you know which are favorites!
- Asparagus
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Canned pumpkin puree
- Cantaloupe
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cheese
- Cooked eggs
- Cooked rice
- Cottage cheese
- Cucumber
- Flax seeds
- Green beans
- Honey
- Kale
- Natural baby food
- Peas
- Pineapple
- Salmon
- Seedless watermelon
- Spinach
- Squash
- Steak
- Strawberries
- Sugar snap peas
- Sweet potato
- Zucchini
As with anything you feed your dog, be aware of the fat and sugar content. But, never feed your dog foods with artificial sweeteners.
Knowing that your dog is happily keeping busy with one of her favorite activities will give you peace of mind as well as that extra time needed for running errands or finishing those chores.
Please share your dog tips:
- Do you use toys that can be stuffed with goodies?
- What recipes have you tried?
Let us know in the comments below!
