Kong Toys

GBNI

I've been looking at these (the sort you stuff with treats) to leave with my lab x rottie cross while I'm at work.

Are they safe enough to be left with dogs? So many toys say supervision only. Currently she gets left a tennis ball (she likes to bounce them herself) but I'd like to keep her busy.

Person_one

Yeah, they're fine. They're the classic toy for leaving with dogs when you go out to keep them occupied.

For extra peace of mind, you could get the tougher black version, less chance of it being chewed into small pieces.

con1888

Depends on how much of a chewer your dog is, I leave mine with them but some dogs will still chew them.

I tend to fill his with some food and freeze them.

Artytarty

I think it's safer than a tennis ball actually. My dog ate apiece of one and had to have major surgery, luckily she survived but it could have gone the other way. I'd never leave her with a tennis ball now. But she is an eater, you know your dog best, she's a bouncer!

krlyr

I use Kongs regularly for the same reason, especially once one of mine (a Rottie x like yours, though GSD not Lab) developed separation anxiety. I had a few of the red ones but over time they did break (they split along the 'seam' of one of the rounded parts) so I've slowly replaced them with the very largest black ones (thankfully I get staff discount buying them through work, as they're not cheap for that size!)

What I tend to do is put their food in the Kongs (they're raw-fed, so things like minces, meat chunks, fish, etc.) and freeze them. However, I would recommend building up to a frozen Kong gradually, as if it's too difficult too soon she may get frustrated with it.

A frozen Kong lasts mine about 25-30 minutes, which is far longer than anything else (other than a really big meaty bone). When Kiki first had separation issues, I used to leave two each down - though one would tend to be bulked out with some blended veg, so they weren't getting too many calories.

elsien

I'd test the dog with one first. My first 2 bull terriers were fine and they lasted for months. Gitdog is an extreme power chewer and I wouldn't ever leave him with one as he can chew lumps off the extra strong black ones in a couple of hours.

teddysmum

As said above a Kong is much safer than a tennis ball (read James Herriot stories). Black ones are tougher and make sure that you get one that is too large to become jammed in your dog's throat.

zaksmum

When my dog was a puppy I got him the puppy sized Kong but he still managed to get his lower jaw caught in the opening.

He was panicking and I was struggling to free him. I managed it, but never used a Kong after that.

He also ate half a tennis ball and threw up for England afterwards!

GBNI

I think I'll invest in one of the larger black ones and watch how she plays with it first to see if I'd be happy to leave her with it.

What does everyone use to stuff theirs with? She isn't hugely food orientated and prefers chewier treats to the more solid ones.

Artytarty

Some of these sound delicious!


http://www.kongstuffing.com/?page_id=10

niandsa

I fill our kong with leftovers. So far this week they have had corned beef hash, leftover rice mixed with some meat paste and chicken and veg hotpot

I always pop them in the freezer as it keeps them entertained for much longer that way.