More Toy Stuffing Recipies

Many of the products that we sell are designed to enrich the lives of our domestic pets, and several of them are often best used with food or treats to help keep our pets’ attention and keep them occupied for longer.  Kong stuffing is extremely popular and many dog rescue organisations use them to help keep dogs stimulated and entertained whilst they are kennelled.  Most dog owners know all about the benefits of Kong stuffing, but don’t always realise that there are other toys suitable for being stuffed with food!

This page will explain what toys can be stuffed, what to stuff them with, help make the most of them and keep your dog happy and entertained. Both Kongs are suitable for stuffing and either freezing or microwaving.  Do not microwave for more than 30 seconds at a time.

What food can you use to stuff a dog toy?

You may struggle for ideas on which food and treats to use and often think that there are “rules” to toy stuffing. However, the truth is that anything that is suitable for our pets to eat can be used, and combining different food types and microwaving or freezing food in the toys, can result in stuffed toys of varying difficulty. The Kong and many other toys are dishwasher safe, making them easy to clean, regardless of the choice of food used for stuffing.

Are food-stuffed toys suitable for all dogs?

It is a common assumption that some dogs do not like to play with food-stuffed toys, but the vast majority will if you use the food types that press their buttons and ensure that the toy is stuffed to suit their interest and ability. Many dogs will spend a long time trying to remove even the smallest amount of low value food from a toy, while others will become easily bored if their reward is too hard to come by or not of high enough value.  Most dogs love to chew a Kong toy, even when empty, so adding some yummy treats and providing a stuffed Kong is rarely going to be declined!

What to avoid.

While we will never suggest using a food that we know to be dangerous for dogs, we would like to remind you that there are food items that should never be given to dogs. These items include onion, grapes, raisins, sultanas, macadamia nuts and chocolate. When using pre-prepared products like peanut butter, apple sauce etc, check ingredients for Xylitol which is a sugar alcohol used as a sugar substitute and toxic to dogs.

Stuffing idea # 10

This recipe uses the vegetable leftovers from a Sunday roast dinner. All the off-cuts of vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, swede, courgettes etc can be stuffed inside the toy, but remember to pack them in tightly if you want to keep your dog entertained for some time!

Stuffing idea # 11

Humous, bulked out with a few dog treats such as Fish4Dogs Tiddlers, makes a great ingredient for toy stuffing. It’s a healthy food for dogs and smells great, which, combined with the fish treats makes any food-stuffed toy irresistible! Just remember, do not use a variety of humous that contains onion, as this is toxic to dogs.

Stuffing idea # 12

Scramble 1 egg and then fold in a selection of your dog’s favourite vegetables. Spoon the mixture into the chosen chew toy and sprinkle some grated cheese onto the top. Place in the microwave until the cheese has melted and formed a “seal” over the contents. Once cooled, your dog can get to work!

Stuffing idea # 13

Cut up some apple and carrot chunks and place inside your toy of choice. Mash 1/4 of a banana and mush it into the large hole to hold fruit in place. You can include any of your dog’s other fruit and vegetable favourites, such as, orange slices, peach and/or nectarine chunks, celery sticks, broccoli and/or cauliflower, tomato or black olives.

Stuffing idea # 14

Crush up some Kronch Salmon Treats or other biscuits and mix with unflavoured, natural yoghurt. Once the fish is evenly distributed throughout the yoghurt, spoon the mixture into your dog’s favourite toy. The toy can be given as is, or even better, frozen and then given to your dog. A frozen Kong is an excellent way of keeping your dog cool on hot days, as well as keeping them occupied and mentally stimulated.

Stuffing idea # 15

Add the desired quantity of bone-shaped biscuits to cottage cheese (low fat, if available) and then mix well. Spoon the mixture into your dog’s favourite toy and let him get to work. For a tougher challenge, this recipe is ideal for freezing.

Stuffing idea # 16

Blend any variety of fresh fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, apples, bananas, kiwi fruit, pears etc and add a small amount of natural yoghurt to thicken. Spoon into your dog’s favourite toy for food-stuffing and then freeze. You could also keep the end piece of banana to one side and use this to block the large hole, if stuffing a Kong toy.

Stuffing idea # 17

Crush up your dog’s favourite crunchy biscuits and mix into enough cheese spread to hold the dry biscuit together. Spoon into your dog’s favourite toy, and serve! This recipe can be frozen to prolong the fun. If your dog needs to watch its weight, then a low fat cheese spread can be used.

Stuffing idea # 18

Dice up salad ingredients, such as celery, cucumber, carrot, tomato and fill your dog’s toy of choice. Remember, no onion! To seal the toy, use a spoonful of cream cheese or cottage cheese to hold the contents inside.

Stuffing idea # 19

Chop up some walnuts, and then mix into low fat natural yoghurt. Spoon the mixture into your toys of choice and then freeze.

Stuffing idea # 20

Chop up some dried apricots, keeping one or two whole ones. Mix the chopped apricots with some low-fat natural yoghurt and pour into your toy of choice. Use the whole apricots to block the hole and then pop into the freezer.

Stuffing idea # 21

You’ll need some dog chocolate drops (NOT normal chocolate), a banana and natural yoghurt (low fat, if you prefer). Break up some of the chocolate drops and mash the banana. Mix the two together, warming in the microwave for a few seconds to melt the chocolate into the banana, if you wish. Stir in the yoghurt, spoon into your dog’s favourite Kong or other toy, then serve. The toy can be frozen to make a tougher workout for your dog.

Stuffing idea # 22

Steam or boil some white fish, along with some cubes of potato and a selection of your dog’s favourite vegetables. Remember, no onion! Once cooked, mash the mixture and then spoon it into your dog’s favourite toy for stuffing. Once cooled, give to your dog or freeze to provide a longer-lasting challenge.