Pet Product Review: Frozen food-stuffed rubber dog toys – Classic Kongs and Squirrel Dudes

Kiko enjoying playing with her deep frozen Kong

Kiko enjoying playing with her deep frozen Kong

The Kong Classic must be my favourite-ever dog toy: it’s made from a tough red natural rubber compound – perfect for dogs that like to chew – and the odd shape creates a satisfyingly unpredictable bounce. The hollow centre of the Kong is designed to be stuffed with treats, either using the custom-made Kong products, or creating your own home-made mix. If a Kong is deep-frozen, it takes your dog even longer to extract every last morsel of tastiness from chewing. We sell Kongs in our waiting room because we believe that many dogs that visit our clinic have not yet been introduced to them, and every dog can benefit from having some of their daily meal fed in the Kong-format.

Kongs stuffed with soaked food and ready to be frozen

Kongs stuffed with soaked food and ready to be frozen

The Kong used to be the only product of its type on the market: in recent years, it’s been joined by the Squirrel Dude. This tough hollow rubber dog toy is shaped like a squirrel for an erratic bounce and fun play. As with the Kong, the idea is to stuff the toy with treats or with some of your dog’s daily food allowance to occupy its attention, preventing destructive chewing and boredom. And as with the Kong, it’s available in different sizes.

My own dogs enjoy both products, but the Kong Classic is still the favourite. It’s one of those products that somehow feels “just right”: even its shape is pleasing to the eye.

Finzi enjoying a stuffed Squirrel Dude toy

Finzi enjoying a stuffed Squirrel Dude toy

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