What Do You Put in a KONG Toy for Dogs?

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The best things to put in a KONG Classic Dog Toy are a smear of peanut butter, a handful of your dog's regular kibble, and a few small treats, sealed with a plug of soft food and frozen for a longer challenge. Start with an easy, loose filling so your dog learns that the KONG Classic Dog Toy pays off, then make the filling harder as your dog gets the hang of it.

What Is a KONG Classic Dog Toy and How Does It Work?

The KONG Classic Dog Toy is a hollow, bouncy rubber toy with a hole at each end. You stuff food into the big hole, and your dog works to get the food out by licking, nosing, rolling, and chewing the toy. The unpredictable bounce adds a game of chase, and the food inside turns the toy into a puzzle that keeps a bored dog busy. Pet owners love the KONG Classic Dog Toy because it works for crate time, rainy days, quiet evenings, and dogs who get restless when left alone.

What Do You Put in a KONG Toy for Dogs?

Match the filling to your dog's experience level:

• Beginner filling: a spoonful of peanut butter smeared inside, plus a few pieces of kibble. Loose and easy, so your dog gets a quick win.
• Everyday filling: layer kibble, small training treats, and a spoonful of plain yogurt or canned pumpkin, then plug the big hole with a smear of peanut butter or mashed banana.
• Hard-mode filling: pack the KONG Classic Dog Toy tight, plug both holes with peanut butter or cream cheese, and freeze it solid for 4 to 6 hours. A frozen KONG Classic Dog Toy lasts far longer than an unfrozen one.
• Puppy filling: use soft food only, such as soaked kibble or plain yogurt, and skip anything hard or sticky until your puppy is comfortable with the toy.

Use only dog-safe ingredients. Check the peanut butter label first: peanut butter sweetened with xylitol (also listed as birch sugar) is toxic to dogs, so never use it. Keep portions small, and count the KONG Classic Dog Toy filling as part of your dog's daily food so treat calories do not creep up.

Which KONG Classic Size Does My Dog Need?

The KONG Classic Dog Toy comes in several sizes, and size matters — a toy that is too small is a choking risk, and a toy that is too big frustrates a small dog. Pick the size that matches your dog's weight on the size chart, and size up if your dog falls between two sizes. Puppies and senior dogs do better with the softer KONG puppy and senior versions, while strong adult chewers do better with the tougher black KONG Extreme. If you are not sure, ask your vet or the store staff to confirm the size before you buy.

How Do I Clean a KONG Classic Dog Toy?

Rinse the KONG Classic Dog Toy after every use so old food does not get stuck inside. For a deep clean, soak the toy in warm soapy water, scrub the inside with a bottle brush, rinse well, and let the toy air-dry. The KONG Classic Dog Toy is also top-rack dishwasher safe, which is the easiest way to clean a sticky, peanut-buttered toy. Replace the toy if the rubber cracks, tears, or starts breaking into pieces.

Is a KONG Toy Safe for Puppies and Power Chewers?

A KONG Classic Dog Toy is one of the safer chew toys for most dogs, as long as the size is right and your dog is supervised. Watch your dog the first few times, especially with a power chewer or a puppy, and take the toy away when the filling is gone if your dog starts gnawing the rubber itself. No chew toy is indestructible, and no dog should chew unsupervised. Stop using the toy and check with your vet if your dog ever swallows a chunk of rubber.

Shop Our Picks

Start with the top-rated KONG Classic Dog Toy — stuff it, freeze it, and give your dog a puzzle that beats boredom. For active dogs who also need a game of fetch, pair it with the Chuckit! Ultra Ball, a long-lasting fetch ball pet owners love.