What is a Kong?

Since the 70’s there has been one dog toy company that is so well known with just a single word, kong! When they were initially founded, the kong company wanted to introduce lots of ways in which our pets could practice natural behaviours like chewing. They also wanted to encourage appropriate play to enrich their lives.

The very first kong toy, the kong classic, was developed to combat the chewing habits of one dog. The company founder owned a dog called Fritz who just loved to chew but he often gravitated towards dangerous things like rocks and sticks that he could do himself damage with. The hard rubber toys were a way of giving avid chewers something they could safely chew on while also keeping them entertained with the interactive element.

A kong allows dogs to practice very natural behaviour by giving them a toy that is safe and non-toxic to chew. It also benefits their fur parents as they can be stuffed with all sorts of goodies to extend play time or even make a meal out of it. The kong is a super versatile toy that serves as something to play with while also keeping them mentally stimulated. Feeding from a kong will take longer and be much more fun than just eating from a standard bowl. 

If you’re a work from home pup parent and need a few precious hours to get some work done, kongs are a great tool for getting some alone time while your pooch is kept occupied. The best part is that they’re such tough toys that you don’t have to worry about them breaking them and you can buy the perfect strength kong to suit their needs.

Kong has a wide range of toys for all kinds of play styles and chewing habits but we have selected three of the top contenders, each with a little something different to offer your pooch. You’re bound to find something for every dog in our wide range of kong toys available.

The Kong Classic Toy is the first and arguably the most popular kong toy. It’s hardy, versatile and even when it’s not being used as an interactive feeder it’s a fun toy to play with. It’s bouncy and with such an irregular shape, it has an unpredictable bounce pattern which makes it even more fun and exciting to use for a game of fetch. The kong classic comes highly recommended by dog behaviourists, vets, and any professional that sees the value in this nearly indestructible toy.

The rubber toy is hollowed out with a larger hole on the bigger end to allow pet parents to stuff it with treats. You can get these handy Kong Stuff N Liver Snacks that are the perfect size and shape to squeeze into the toy or make your own. There are countless recipes you can find online consisting of different delicious things you can fill a kong with and keep your pup entertained for as short or long a period as you need. Kongs are great enrichment to leave with your dog when you have to go out to give them something to do. They’re safe and you’ll come home to a sleeping puppy and an empty kong.

You can even just use their dry biscuits and soak them in water to make a tasty filling. Once your beloved pet gets the hang of emptying their kong you can start to freeze it to make it last longer. Freezing a kong also makes for a great treat to cool them off in the summer. The classic kong comes in a variety of different sizes to suit your canine companion’s needs. It should be big enough to chew but not small enough to swallow. You can also buy them in different colours to suit how hard they chew. Their red kong classic is for most dog breeds who chew with a moderate force while the black kong is the extreme version for bully breeds and tough chewers. You can also get a light blue Kong Puppy Toy version which is nice and soft for young dogs and a purple one for senior dogs.

Once your pooch masters the art of a stuffed kong, you may want to consider something familiar but a little bit different to further entertain them. The Kong Wobbler Dog Toy Large is a great source of enrichment for dogs who enjoy solving puzzles for their food. Whether your canine companion is the sort to gently topple it over to get it to dispense goodies or if they’re the type to throw it around and hope for the best, it can still provide ages of fun. To fill the toy, you simply unscrew the top and insert the food before screwing it back on. The small hole on the front only allows one of two bits of food to escape at a time.

You can fill it with their dinner and get them working for their lunch or you can fill it with treats small enough to fall through the hole like Wagg Training Treats with Chicken & Cheese.

If your pooch is under six months old then chances are, they are either teething or will soon be. Teething puppies can be hard to be around as their mouths are sore and sensitive so they’re always looking for things to chew which more often than not ends up being you. Chewing on your clothes or your fingers will usually get the attention they’re looking for but they’re not doing it to misbehave. If your pup is teething and has forgotten their manners, they’re normally trying to let you know that they’re in pain. Giving them appropriate toys to chew on is one great way of alleviating the aches of teething. You will have yourself a much happier pup and your fingers will still be intact.

The Kong Puppy Teething Stick Medium makes for a great chewing option for puppies. It’s made from the same tough rubber that the kong classic is made from, but a softer version with more give for little puppy mouths. If your pup is a little slow at figuring out that the teething toy is meant for chewing them you can apply some tasty Kong Paste Puppy to further entice them.

Dogs need lots of different types of toys to play with and keep them busy. While many dog toys are designed for you to play with your pooch which is one of the best ways to develop a bond, they also need to entertain themselves sometimes. Interactive dog toys are like tiny babysitters that can keep your pets occupied when you can’t pay attention to them. If you know your pup is going to be busy with their kong for an hour you can get some chores done or even pop out for a little while.

Interactive toys are also great for teaching young dogs to problem solve. Without the ability to problem solve, our pets may never learn frustration tolerance which is a vital part of training. When you start training your pup, they need to understand the concept of trying to get things right and work out what gets them the reward. Interactive toys will often teach them this very quickly. If they learn that trying out different things gets them the treat they will learn not to give up in other areas of their life! Failing initially won’t scare them off from trying new things.

Mental enrichment is a vital part of making sure your canine companion leads a happy and healthy life. You can shop our wide range of mentally stimulating toys in store and online.