Allergy-free Kong fillers and bully sticks

[Melissa Bissell]

Hi-

We will bring our pup home on the 15th.  Any suggestions for Kong fillers that do not include dairy, egg, wheat, nut, fish.  My children are allergic to these foods and we avoid them in our house.  I was thinking about using coconut milk yogurt instead of cows milk yogurt.  Thoughts?  Also, are bully sticks ok for pups as young as 8 weeks?  If not, at what age?  Any other suggestions for treats or chewing type foods?

Thanks! 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm not sure about the Kong filler question because I don't use them but I can say that Tara's breeder gave her a tiny little bully stick when she came home with us (Tara is a mini). Tara loved it and it lasted a long time because of her little teeth. She still loves them but they don't last nearly as long anymore!

[Itims]

You could also freeze chicken stock in the Kong. You first plug the kong with some thing like yogurt (which ever type works for you) and let that freeze and then fill it with chicken stock and put that in the freezer. Works for teething gums too. 

Antlers might be something you can get (after research). We got antlers when our puppy was maybe 3 months old but she isn't a power chewer and never chews on anything for too long or too intensely. 

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I wouldn't give a bully stick to very young puppy. We tried frozen baby carrots and our pups liked them.

[Malenie Piscetelli]

Sweet potato. I am an allergic nut

[Melissa Bissell]

Thanks - these are all great suggestions!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

No to the bully sticks.  Is there something your kids eat that would be a substitute for peanut butter?  That and the yogurt you mentioned seem like they might be good fillers.  How about mashed sweet potato mixed with kibble?

[Melissa Bissell]

Yes, I had thought that sweet potato with the coconut milk yogurt might be good, but I didn't know about the kibble.  We will see if he likes that.  I have also heard dogs like banana?  Our substitute for peanut butter is soy nut butter, but I heard it is not the best for dogs.  Is that true?  And any other good alternatives for chewing treats besides the Bully Sticks?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My dogs refuse fruits and veggies but many dogs like them - make sure you know which are toxic though.  I really don't know about soy nut butter.  Hopefully someone who does know will chime in.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Soy, not a good thing for dogs. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for informing us  Karen.  I knew you would know the correct answer.

[Sally S Miles]

Applesauce - can be used as is or mix in pumpkin, berries, etc.  I use frozen organic blueberries to plug the hole, but have also used diced celery and kibble.    We make a game out of popsicle time - they sit in kitchen and watch my every move - after all are finally in the freezer they get to lick the spoon and wait.  I use yogurt, agree soy is bad,  seems to me that coconut milk should be fine as long as there is no sugar added

apples, a wedge of apple is tasty and as long as all seeds and or seed hull are gone

carrots good for gnawing - whether baby carrots or simply big ones cut up, but sometimes I cook them and either offer in bite size or puree, then put in Kong

frozen organic green beans - my dogs apparently eat anything, they like these frozen, cooked, or merely thawed

frozen organic broccoli - same as green beans - they dig it

pineapple - banana - pears - and I also make dried sweet potato treats for them, the little guy chews his like bubblegum :),

Journey took to the frozen treats and they keep her busy, as long as stopping the gulping - but my little guy took a few days to figure out that they were ok, so perhaps a learning curve there

I still like Nylabones and varying textures for chew toys, little ones like soft and gummy as well as hard and bumpy. 

[Melissa Bissell]

Thank you - these are wonderful suggestions!  Are all of these great ideas ok for young puppies? Thanks!