The Ultimate Kong Guide
The Ultimate Kong Guide
I think almost every dog owner will have at the very least heard of Kong (the brand), and will more likely than not be familiar with their flagship product, THE Kong. However, despite this product's ubiquity, many owners are unsure of how to use it, or how to make it work for them.
In this post, I'm going to cover everything from choosing the right Kong for your dog up to my best tips and tricks for getting the most benefit out of using your Kong. Let's dive in!
What is a Kong?
The iconic Kong has been around for around 50 years now, and has been a staple of pet shops for much of that time. In short, it's a rubber toy with a unique 3-tiered shape, with one large hole at the base and a smaller hole at the top.
What is it for?
Kongs are fantastic because they're so versatile - the primary use for them in most households now is as an enrichment toy - in other words, something that engages your dog's brain and gives them something to do during downtime, preventing boredom. They're also great for helping your dog to relax after an activity, or to keep them occupied when you have guests over or during fireworks for example. You can also use the Kong as a great way to continue building a positive association with your dog's crate or bed!
On top of this, their rubber material and shape also mean that you can use these as a toy in the more traditional sense - my Grandad's old staffie cross used to love having her Kong thrown for her and chasing it all over the garden! Some Kongs are designed with extra features such as a rope handle for tug play, and some are made to be more bouyant, allowing for fetch in water. We'll be focusing on the standard Kong as an enrichment tool in this article.
When do I use it?
To help your dog or puppy to relax, calm down, and get ready to have a nice restful sleep, give your Kong right after an activity such as a walk, play session, or training session. I always advise offering it in your dog's crate, so that hopefully they'll head off to sleep there and can then have a nice long rest undisturbed.
If you're focusing on making sure that your dog isn't getting too bored, then simply offer this at a point during the day when your dog is awake but you're perhaps not able to engage them in an activity, eg. when you're stuck in meetings.
You can really give a Kong at any time of day, and for many different purposes. If you're not sure when would be best to use it, just try one of the options above and observe the results, then think about your daily schedule and where you might most want to have a calmer dog, or when you might need to offer them something to do.
How do I fill the Kong?
If you're starting your dog with a Kong for the very first time, I would strongly advise using a semi-liquid filling first to ensure that it's easy enough for them on their first go! I've seen many dogs 'give up' on the Kong if they're introduced to it with something too challenging, so start with something that will be easy for them to lick out of the kong, not anything that's dry (Eg. biscuits), too tightly packed in, or frozen.
Using a small knife or spatula (what tool you use will depend on the size of your Kong!), spread some of your filling around the interior of the Kong via the larger hole at the base. Ideally, try start off with most of the filling towards the bottom so that your dog doesn't have to struggle to get to it if it's all packed at the top - you could even spread some directly onto the hole to get them immediately invested.
Which Kong should I choose?
One of the most challenging things to figure out when getting started with a Kong is which one to buy - there are two main things things to consider...
Age Suitability / Durability Rating
Kongs come in 4 different types: Puppy, Classic, Extreme, and Senior. It's important to choose the right type for your dog, and to make this easy, Kongs are colour-coded!
For puppies
It's important to start your puppy off with a Puppy Kong, which come in pale pink and blue. The reason is that these are made with a slightly softer rubber that is more gentle for their baby teeth, and won't cause them any damage. Once your puppy's adult teeth have come through (usually after 6/7 months), you can graduate to an adult Kong.
For adult dogs who are regular - moderate chewers
The Kong Classic is the standard adult Kong, and will be suitable for the vast majority of dogs. These red Kongs are available in all sizes to suit all breeds, and are the right strength of rubber for most! These can be used throughout a dog's life - however, as with all toys, do inspect regularly for damage, and bear in mind that over time the rubber may naturally begin to degrade.
For adult dogs who are robust chewers
Certain dogs who are seasoned toy-destroyers and heavy chewers may need to upgrade once more to a Kong Extreme, which come in black. These are tougher than most dogs would need, but can be great if you're noticing rapid wear and damage to your dog's Classic Kong.
For older dogs
I love that Kong has a category for senior dogs, as it serves as a great reminder that older dogs need enrichment too! In fact, older dogs may be more in need of enrichment opportunities than younger dogs if they're experiencing physical changes that lead to a reduction in their physical exercise, training, and play. The senior Kongs are purple, and are made with a softer rubber that is more gentle on older teeth and gums.
Size
There are overall 6 different sizes of Kong available, BUT the size ranges differ by the age/durability grouping. The Classic Kong is the only group that hits every size, from XS up to XXL.
Sizing is super important for safety. Ideally, you'll pick the largest size possible for your dog - the reason for this is that if a Kong is a little too small, there's a potential risk of the toy becoming lodged in your dog's mouth or throat. Kongs are so great for enrichment and decompression because of how durable they are, meaning that they're generally safe to leave down with your dog while they're unsupervised. In order to keep this true, it's key to get the sizing right.
My best tip would be to try to view Kongs in person before buying to get an idea of size in relation to your dog - even if you're not going to buy there, take a trip to a pet shop and have a look at their range. Even if the material durability isn't right, you can at least get an idea of what size might be best for your dog.
How can I make a Kong last longer?
If you've been using Kongs for a while, you may find that your dog is getting through them quicker and quicker as time goes by! To up the challenge, try stuffing more into the Kong, adding dry ingredients with wet, and the best tip for longevity is to freeze your Kong - this can also help to soothe sore mouths during teething!
Where can I find ideas for fillings?
Here are some websites that offer recipe ideas for Kongs. Remember, if you're unsure about an ingredient or recipe then do some separate research, or speak with your vet. When introducing a new ingredient to your dog for the first time, be sure to start with just a small amount!
Hopefully you're feeling confident and ready to get your first Kong and give it a try - they're such a valuable tool for dogs of any age, breed, and experience level, so your dog will certainly thank you.
