Frozen kongs and other long lasting snacks

[jenn D]

What do you guys put in your kongs to freeze them and how long do you freeze them. I'm looking for some long lasting snacks since the last few weeks I've been tossing any china products I have. I need some good long lasting treats and chews. Thanks!

[Hua]

I mix yogurt (plain, non-fat, lactose free) and peanut butter, or peanut butter with baby food (either the organic blueberry puree, or the chicken with sweet potato).

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I've personally never used Kongs, none of my dogs ever seemed interested in them. For long lasting chews, I've used beef tracheas, real marrow bones, antlers, hooves, and Nylabones. 

I know there are others here who do stuff Kongs, hopefully they will have some other ideas for you. 

[jenn D]

Karen,
I have beef traceas I bought after I learned of the chinacrap. Do you stuff them or just give it to them as is?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Just as they are. I've never been a big fan of stuffing dog chews, too messy for me. The tracheas didn't last terribly long, but longer than a big bully stick, for JD at least. 

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Peanut butter mixed with chunked banana or canned pumpkin. Sometimes some yogurt. I fill it and stick in a biscuit (kind of like a cherry on top:)), then freeze it.

[jenn D]

Thx everyone!

[Debbie and Belle]

I use canned pumpkin in the kong and then freeze it.

[Kelly & Zoe]

I've heard of this - i'm going to try it!

[BG and Gavin]

When I used kongs in the past I put his regular kibble inside and stuffed in some canned dog food (as a plug) and froze it overnight.  Once he licked the plug away, he played with it for a while to get each kibble out.  I would also run it through the dishwasher regularly to get rid of any lingering food particles.

[Kelly & Zoe]

I love freezing the kongs - they last long and my dog loves them!  I've been giving them to her since she was about 3 months.  I've done the following:

mix:

l/f l/s chicken broth (1 C)

peanut butter (1/2 C)

cooked oatmeal  (1/2 C)

bits of banana or cooked sweet potato, or apple - any fruit or veg that's dog friendly

I heat up the chicken broth then stir in the peanut butter (which kinda melts).  the oatmeal binds it nicely so its not too runny.  add the fruit/veg then fill up the kongs and freeze.  i've also mixed in yogurt and i've heard that cream cheese is good too (although i dont like giving my dog dairy products as they, um, give her the wind!).

This makes a large batch - we have 5 of the puppy sized kongs and we can fill those each twice with this amount.  i just leave the unfrozen batch in the fridge and refill a kong (or 2 on those really crazy days) each day.  it takes my 5 1/2 month pup about 30 minutes to get through one of these.

I've tried the ground up kibble with water/chicken broth, but they tended to be messier and my dog didn't like it as much as this.  In a pinch, I also use the puppy formula kong filler (peanut putter flavor, in a can) and fill and freeze.