I have a secret weapon I would like to share with you. When I need to keep my French Bulldog occupied and I can’t invest the time to play with him stuffing a Kong is one of the best ways to keep him busy and out of trouble. It’s been said by a dog trainer friend of mine that “a tired dog is a well-behaved dog.” Stuffing a Kong is mentally and physically stimulating for your Frenchie. On top of that, stuffed Kong’s are very easy to prepare, it can last a long time, and it’s a phenomenal way to keep your Frenchie entertained. I present to you my ultimate Kong stuffing recipe guide.
An Introduction To My Ultimate Kong Stuffing Recipe Guide
If you’re on the hunt for an easy way to keep your Frenchie busy while providing them with plenty of mental stimulation I invite you to experiment with these stuffed Kong recipes.
If you’re looking for some “Stuffed Kong Inspiration” look no further. Here’s 56 Kong-stuffing treats you can try out on your four-legged little friend.
Stuffing a Kong is an Effective and Simple Way to Keep Your French Bulldog Busy
A Kong is one of the top five best French Bulldog toys I recommend. What I love about jamming a bunch of delicious goodies inside a Kong is that it keeps my little Frenchie occupied for quite some time. By stuffing a Kong dog toy you’re making your French bulldog exert mental and physical energy for his treats. It also scratches their hard-wired itch for scavenging. The small opening makes them work to get the goodies out and it keeps them. Being mentally engaged also helps to keep your Frenchie from getting into trouble because they are bored.
What Size Kong To Use For Your French Bulldog?
Wondering what size Kong to get for your French Bulldog? When our Frenchie was 10 weeks old we got him his first Kong. We got him the small version of the classic Kong and he instantly fell in love with it. Now that he is 6 months old (and three times as big) it still works but it we got him a 2-pack of these Medium Kongs.
Adding some Peanut Butter inside of it sure didn’t hurt. You can put all kinds of great treats inside the Kong which I will cover below for you, but before I share those, let’s talk about the benefits of this awesome toy.
Stuffing a Kong – The Many Benefits From This Simple Dog Toy
There are many benefits to stuffing goodies inside a Kong for your little furry companion. It keeps them mentally stimulated amongst a lot of other benefits. The benefits of Kong stuffing include:
- Never Ending amounts of Entertainment – Having a Kong that you can stuff with treats will keep your Frenchie entertained and occupied for quite some time.
- Slow Your Roll – My mother always repeated, “don’t eat too fast or you will get a tummy ache.” Unfortunately, many Frenchies can experience digestion issues because they eat too quickly and they never pay attention to my mother’s sage wisdom. If your furry little friend eats too quickly, stuffing some food inside a Kong can help him slow down and enjoy his meal at a slower pace.
- Mental Weight Lifting – A stuffed Kong is like weight lifting for your little guy’s mind. It can provide your French Bulldog with plenty of mental stimulation while getting some nutrition. I discovered that a bored Frenchie is more likely to get into trouble. (For me this has resulted in him chewing on chair legs, ripping the insoles out of my new Nike shoes, and more). The mental stimulation from a food stuffed Kong will hopefully keep him entertained and out of trouble.
- A Perfect Way To Use Leftovers – We have five people living in our house with our Frenchie so there are plenty of leftovers we can stuff into his Kong. We sometimes take some leftovers from the refrigerator and stuff them inside his Kong. It prevents food spoilage and gives our Frenchie some added nutrition.
- Buy Yourself Some Time – Look, we all need to get things done around the house and sometimes it’s just easier to do that when your Frenchie is not right under your feet. A Kong stuffed with some yummy treats can be very handy when you need to buy yourself some time.
- Your Kong Is Dishwasher Safe – When you start stuffing food inside a Kong for your Frenchie you will quickly find he can make a mess of it. You will absolutely want to wash the slobber and goobers off of it periodically. Kongs are also dishwasher friendly which makes cleaning the dog slobber off of them easy.
A Kong is a great dog toy for so many reasons. It offers a quick and easy way to keep your French Bulldog engaged in a positive play time activity. There are numerous great food combinations you can stuff inside a Kong and I’ll cover many below.
After stuffing a lot of food items inside Kongs I’ve discovered that the contents don’t seem to matter all that much. The fact that it’s an interactive toy is what seems to be the real attraction for my Frenchie. My little Frenchie enjoys the challenge, especially when he’s figuring out how to get all the delicious goodies out of that Kong. It keeps him busy, and he loves having to work for his treats.
Stuffing a Kong 101 – How To Stuff a Kong For Maximum Play Time Effectiveness
First and foremost a warning about extra calories. Jamming a bunch of peanut butter in the Kong is easy but all those extra calories can stack up very quick and those will turn into extra pounds on your Frenchie. If you’re using a high calorie Kong stuffing treats you don’t need to fill it to the top to keep your Frenchie busy.
One tip is to mix some of your French bulldogs favorite foods in with some healthy options too. While the idea of mixing peanut butter and vegetables together might not sound appealing to you I assure you that your French bulldog will be a fan.
If your Frenchie is new to the wide world of Kong play you may want to start out by simply putting some of his kibble in the Kong. Encourage him to play with the Kong, and praise him when he starts moving it around to get the treats out.
Pro Tip: The Frozen Kong Trick
If your French bulldog is already an expert at systematically un-stuffing a Kong you can make it more challenging by freezing the contents of it. Freezing some goodies in the Kong, mixing them with peanut butter, or using larger chunks will make the challenge of getting those treats out last much longer.
Also, one thing that I’ve found to be very helpful is to have multiple Kongs so I can keep one in loaded in the Freezer while my Frenchie is working on one. I will typically load one up the night before with whatever goodies from the list below I choose from and then give him the frozen one the next day.
The All-Time Classics Stuffings For Your Kong
When it comes to stuffing a Kong there’s a few classic ingredients that are my go to Kong stuffings. Your first consideration should be choosing an ingredient that’s good for freezing. This will essentially be the binding agent that holds the other nutritious ingredients together. That will be your base, and then you can choose other items such as kibble to add into the mix.
The bases you can use for Kong stuffing include:
- Peanut Butter – Peanut butter is certainly the most popular Kong stuffing base. It is sticky, your Frenchie is guaranteed to love it, and it is stuffed pretty easily inside a Kong. While peanut butter is great, it also high in fat and calorie dense. Don’t overdo it or you will turn your Frenchie into a pudge ball and take years off his life. Also make sure it doesn’t contain the artificial sweetener xylitol as that can harmful to your Frenchie’s health. I personally purchase the Organic peanut butter from my local Food Co Op.
- Cashew Butter – There are a lot of nut butters on the market and I included this one as it is acceptable for dogs in small doses. As I mentioned before, a little goes a long way with nut butters so don’t overdo it. You can put some cashew butter in with some other goodies in your Frenchie’s Kong.
- Yogurt – Yogurt is one of my favorite choices for stuffing the Kong for my little guy. Skip out on the flavored yogurts and watch out for sweeteners as well.
- Kong Stuffing Spray – This is basically cheese whiz for dogs. Kong Stuffing is a flavored mouse-like stuffing available in a wide variety of flavors. It comes in an easy to use spray can so it makes filling a Kong a breeze.
- Bone Broth – You can make homemade bone broth chicken or beef. You can even buy packaged bone broth which makes it even easier (I prefer the Kettle and Fire brand). Bone broth is great for stuffing a Kong. It is nutrient-dense, freezes easily, and makes for a great Kong stuffing. Here’s the technique to use this – I like to do is dab a bit of peanut butter over the small hole in the bottom of the Kong which acts as a seal. Then turn the Kong upside down in a cup and fill with with Bone Broth and then freeze it for a couple hours. Your Frenchie will love it!
- Canned Dog Food can be used as a base when stuffing a Kong. I personally don’t use this as much but many dog owners do.
After you’ve filled your dog’s Kong with something that can be frozen you can add in more delicious and nutritious ingredients. When starting out with Kong stuffing for your French Bulldog you can use some common items you’ve already got on hand such as:
- Kibble – Grabbing some of your French Bulldog’s favorite kibble is a quick an easy way to add some nutrition inside your Kong. Most kibble is small enough that it will just easily fall out which encourages your dog to keep playing with it for more rewards. If you are mixing Kibble in with a freezable ingredient (which is what I do most of the time) then it will last even longer.
- Dog Treats – We also love to stuff some of our little guy’s favorite dog treats into the Kong. These are about the perfect size and are soft so they are easy to jam in there.
56 Healthy Foods You Can Stuff in a Kong – The Perfect Ingredients From My Ultimate Kong Stuffing Recipe Guide
Ok, here is the big list of delicious and nutritious foods you can add to your French bulldog’s Kong, and if you like you can add some healthy meats for some extra protein. As stated a couple times, be sure to watch out for high-calorie foods such as Peanut Butter.
Having some variety in your French Bulldog’s overall nutrition plan can be great just be sure to use treats and snacks in moderation. When trying new foods for your French Bulldog be careful how much you introduce to your little guy’s stomach. Some Frenchies have sensitive stomachs, and the addition of new foods can cause digestive issues.
Here’s my comprehensive list of healthy treats to stuff in your French Bulldogs Kong (in alphabetical order of course!):
- Apples – My little Frenchie LOVES little chunks of Apple stuffed into his Kong. Just be sure to not let him have any pieces of the core, any stems, or seeds which can be harmful to him.
- Applesauce – Applesauce is a great Kong stuffing material especially if you plan on freezing it.
- Baby Food – All natural baby food can be a great choice. Comes in all kinds of flavors, handy if you have a messy baby who doesn’t eat everything, and it freezes well.
- Bananas – You might be wondering can French Bulldogs eat bananas – Yes they can! A great easy to mush into a Kong selection. When you need a quick Kong stuffer this is a great option for your Frenchie. Simply slice a banana and jam it in the Kong. For a small dog like a Frenchie I would keep the amount of banana small. You can add peanut butter to seal it in, or yogurt too!
- Beef – Ground beef is a great option and no Frenchie would object to the addition of some beef.
- Blackberries – Blackberries can be a nice addition to a Kong but beware they will lead to a messy mess and can stain – use with caution.
- Blueberries – Blueberries are a superfood rich in antioxidants, which prevent cell damage in humans and canines alike. They’re packed with fiber and phytonutrients as well. Like blackberries, these will stain so don’t give to your Frenchie while on a carpet.
- Bread – A slice of bread is easy to jam into a Kong as well. You can use wheat, white or other leftover bread you have access to. Push the bread deep into the bottom of the Kong. If needed, you can use a a butter knife to squish the pieces of bread inside. As your Frenchie licks his toy, his saliva causes the bread to stick inside the toy, which makes it even more challenging for your dog.
- Broccoli – Broccoli is safe for dogs to eat in very small quantities and can be a good occasional treat. Just keep the amount small as it can cause gastric irritation. Also, be sure to chop it in small manageable bites so he won’t choke.
- Broth – You can make homemade bone broth from chicken or beef and use this in your little guy’s Kong. You can even buy packaged bone broth which makes it much easier (I prefer the Kettle and Fire brand). It is nutrient-dense, freezes easily, and makes for a great Kong stuffing. Try the trick I shared above to “seal” it in his Kong before freezing. Just dab a bit of peanut butter over the small hole in the bottom of the Kong which acts as a seal. Then turn the Kong upside down in a cup and fill with with Bone Broth and then freeze it for a couple hours. Enjoy!
- Brown Rice – Easy to cook, easy on the tummy to digest, and easy to stuff inside a Kong!
- Brussels Sprouts – Used in moderation, Brussels sprouts are another safe option for Kong stuffing for your French Bulldog to eat.
- Canned Dog Food – This might seem like another obvious stuffing solution, but there’s something to be said for simplicity. Plus, the canned dog food freezes well and helps the kibble stay put.
- Cantaloupe – Cantaloupe is fine for your Frenchie to eat just be sure to remove all the rind. You can chop up some cantaloupe and stuff it inside the kong.
- Carrots – Carrots are an excellent Kong stuffing vegetable high in fiber and beta-carotene, which helps produce vitamin A. Shredded carrots make it even easier to stuff inside.
- Cauliflower – Cauliflower is safe for your Frenchie in small amounts. Just be aware it can lead to gas so don’t overdo it. It contains lots of different vitamins, and antioxidants. Cook it up and stuff some inside!
- Celery – In addition to vitamins A, B, and C, this crunchy green snack contains the nutrients needed to promote a healthy heart and even fight cancer. Additionally, celery is also known to freshen your Frenchie’s breath.
- Cheese – If your dog isn’t sensitive to dairy, cheese is sure to please. You can also pop the KONG into the microwave for a few seconds to make the cheese soft. Just make sure the KONG is cool before you give it to your Frenchie. String cheese is even easier to peel off and stuff in a Kong.
- Cottage Cheese – Cottage cheese is ok for dogs and is high in calcium and protein. It can be a good addition to your Frenchie’s Kong just be aware of sensitive stomachs because it is dairy.
- Cranberries – Both cranberries and dried cranberries are safe to feed to your French bulldog in small amounts. Whether your Frenchie will like this tart berry is another question entirely. Just go easy on this and mixing it in with some yogurt or other goodies may be best.
- Cucumber – Cucumbers are especially good for Frenchie who may have packed out some extra pounds. Cucumbers are packed with vitamins K, C, and B1, as well as potassium, copper, magnesium, and biotin.
- Edamame – Edamame is safe for your Frenchie in moderation. They have great health benefits and many dogs are big fans of these. They’re a great source in polyunsaturated fats too!
- Eggs – Eggs are a great source of very digestible protein, riboflavin, and selenium. For some Frenchies that are prone to digestive issues, eggs can give them a little protein boost. You can scramble the eggs in a pan or hard boil them and stuff them into his Kong.
- Egg Whites – Similar to eggs listed above scrambled egg whites can also make a great high-protein Kong stuffing with no fat.
- Flax Seeds – Flaxseed can be added into some other ingredients in your Frenchie’s Kong. Flax seeds can helps support a healthy coat and hair. A small amount is ok but as mentioned with other food items don’t over do it.
- Green Beans – Green beans are an excellent Kong stuffing item. Chopped, steamed, raw, or canned –- all types of green beans are safe for your Frenchie to eat. Green beans are full of important vitamins and minerals and they’re also full of fiber. Not to mention they are a low in calories.
- Honey – A little honey drizzled inside the Kong can be delicious! Use in moderation due to high sugar content.
- Ice chips – If you have one of those refrigerators that can make ice chips this is an easy way to get some no-calorie Kong stuffing material for your Frenchie.
- Kibble – Grabbing some of your Frenchie’s favorite kibble is an easy way to add some nutrition inside your Kong. Most kibble is small enough that it will just easily fall out which encourages your dog to keep playing with it for more rewards. If you are mixing Kibble in with a freezable ingredient (which is what I do most of the time) then it will last even longer.
- Kong Easy Treat Filling – The makers of Kong has a simple Kong stuffing spray to make filling it a snap. They come in multiple flavors and may be good to keep on hand. The cheese-wiz like nozzle makes it easy to spray into the Kong. Add to your already-frozen and stuffed Kong as an extra incentive, or try it by itself. The only drawback is that these Easy Treat cans are quickly used up.
- Mango – This sweet treat is packed with vitamins A, B6, C, and E. They also have potassium and both beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. Be sure to remove the hard pit first, as it contains small amounts of cyanide and can become a choking hazard. Little chunks of Mango stuffed inside the Kong can be a great treat.
- Meat – French bulldogs do love meat that’s for sure! Stuff a slice of roasted chicken or turkey inside the Kong. To keep meat securely in place, firmly squish a slice of bread or banana chunk around meat chucks inside the Kong. While that combination may not sound appealing to you I assure you your Frenchie will love it.
- Oatmeal – Oatmeal is a very healthy treat for French bulldogs. It’s full of fiber, yet low in fat, and provides additional nutrients. My girlfriend often cooks big batches of oatmeal at the start of each week so her and the kiddos can make our breakfasts from it each day quickly. A little leftover oatmeal stuffed inside a Kong can keep your Frenchie entertained for some time. An oatmeal-stuffed Kong will keep your Frenchie happy for 15-20 minutes easily. To make an oatmeal stuffed toy last longer, seal with peanut butter or a banana chunk. Freeze it for an additional time extension.
- Oranges – Orange slices are fine for your dog to eat as long as you get rid of the peel and the seeds inside. They’re an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and even fiber. In small quantities can serve as tasty treats for your dog.
- Peanut Butter – Peanut butter is delicious and a perfect Kong stuffer. Peanut Butter is high in fat and calorie dense so don’t overdo it or you will turn your Frenchie into a pudge ball and take years off his life. Also make sure it doesn’t contain the artificial sweetener xylitol as that can harmful to your Frenchie’s health. I personally purchase the Organic peanut butter from my local Food Co Op.
- Peaches – Small amounts of cut-up peaches are a great source of fiber and vitamin A, and can even help fight infections, but just like cherries, the pit contains cyanide. As long as you completely cut around the pit first, fresh peaches can be a great summer treat – just not canned peaches, as they usually contain high amounts of sugary syrups.
- Pears – Pears are a great Kong stuffer because they’re high in copper, vitamins C and K, and fiber. Just be sure to cut pears into bite-size chunks and remove the pit and seeds first, as the seeds contain traces of cyanide.
- Peas – Snow peas, garden peas, English peas, and sugar snap peas are all OK for your French Bulldog. Peas have several vitamins, minerals, and are rich in protein and high in fiber. You can feed your dog fresh, frozen, or thawed peas, but I would avoid giving him canned peas as they contain a lot of added sodium.
- Pineapple – A few chunks of pineapple can be a great sweet treat for dogs, as long as the prickly outside is removed first. Pineapple is full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Additionally it contains bromelain which is an enzyme that makes it easier for your Frenchie to absorb.
- Potatoes – While potatoes do contain vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, and many other nutrients that dogs need they can be harmful if not cooked. Do not feed your Frenchie raw potato. A small amount of cooked potato can be ok but don’t over do it.
- Pumpkin – Organic canned pumpkin is a great Kong stuffing option. If your Frenchie has a sensitive tummy this might be the treat for him. Make sure you’re giving them the high quality organic pumpkin that doesn’t contain any added sugar. Mixing the pumpkin with oatmeal, rice, peanut butter, or meat is a great way to slip in some healthy fiber.
- Raspberries – They contain antioxidants that are great for dogs. They’re low in sugar and calories, but high in fiber, manganese, and vitamin C. Raspberries are especially good for older Frenchies because they have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help take pain and pressure from joints. However, they do contain slight amounts of Xylitol, so limit your dog to less than a cup of raspberries at a time.
- Rice – We have even used cooked white rice to jam inside his Kong.
- Rutabaga – Rutabagas are a source of calcium and folate and, best of all, they are low in calories.
- Salmon – Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support the immune system, may decrease inflammation, and can keep your dog’s coat looking shiny and healthy. It’s also a great protein source for your Frenchie.
- Spinach – Spinach is very high in oxalic acid, which blocks the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can lead to kidney damage. While your dog would probably have to eat a very large amount of spinach to have this problem, it might be best to go with another vegetable.
- Squash – Fresh squash is a great treat for your Frenchie. It’s best to offer your French Bulldog fresh squash, instead of from a can, frozen, etc. But make sure to cook it before giving to your French bulldog. Remove the skin and the seeds and cook it well before stuffing in a Kong.
- Steak – If you really want to spoil your Frenchie with a lovely treat stuff some steak in his Kong. Steak provides a great source of protein for your Frenchie’s energy as well as fatty acids which help tone muscles and develop healthy skin, hair, and joints. Beef contains Omega-6 giving your Frenchie a shiny coat!
- Strawberries – Strawberries are full of fiber and vitamin C. Along with that, they also contain an enzyme that can help whiten your Frenchie’s teeth as he eats them (bonus!). They are high in sugar though, so be sure to give them in moderation.
- Sugar Snap Peas – Peas have several vitamins, minerals, and are rich in protein and high in fiber. You can feed your French fresh sugar snap peas inside his Kong and he will love them! Skip the canned peas though as they contain a lot of added sodium.
- Sweet Potato – Sweet potato is safe for your Frenchie and can provide them a range of health benefits. Sweet potatoes are great for digestive health because of their high fiber content. They’re also low in fat and contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese. They make a great Kong stuffer for sure!
- Tuna – This is a healthy option that is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your Frenchie’s skin and coat. Try mixing the tuna with plain yogurt, or throw in some grated veggies for good measure. Stuff the KONG with the mixture, freeze and your Frenchie will LOVE it!
- Turkey – Ground turkey or ground turkey breast is a great option too for Kong stuffing too.
- Watermelon – Watermelon can be a great Kong stuffer too just be aware it’s important to remove the rind and seeds first. Watermelon is full of vitamin A, B-6, and C, as well as potassium. Watermelon is mostly water, so it’s a great way to keep your dog hydrated on hot summer days.
- Yogurt – Your Frenchie can eat yogurt and it’s good for him. If your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, yogurt is a great treat and supplement to their diet. … Only choose yogurts that are free of sweeteners and flavors. I prefer to grab the all-natural organic brands.
- Zucchini – Zucchini is full of nutrients and is a great Kong stuffing option. This prolific plant delivers lots of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s a low calorie vegetable and your little Frenchie will love it!
There you have it my Frenchie friend – my comprehensive list of delicious and nutritious Kong stuffing treats. Experiment with different combinations of these healthy Kong stuffing treats and I am confident it will keep your Frenchie busy for hours on end! Happy stuffing!
What are your favorite Kong recipes for your Frenchie?
