The 14 Best Dogs for Kids with Autism, According to Experts
The Kong Classic Is The One Toy I Tell Every Dog Owner To Buy — Here's Why I Love It So Much That I Bought 5
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Thanks for signing up!
Look out for your first newsletter with today's big story in your inbox soon.
Thanks for signing up!
Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Download the app
Over the last eight years, I have bought dozens of products for my very good boys. But if someone told me I could own only one dog toy from here on, I'd choose the Kong Classic without hesitation.
This snowman-shaped rubber toy is an economical, multifunctional pet product that has proven safe, indestructible, and entertaining for both of my dogs. Brought to market 40 years ago, the Kong was designed to be a dog toy that could withstand long chew and fetch sessions. It was inspired by its creator's own dog who was suffering from dental damage due to a steady habit of chewing rocks and sticks.
But let's say your dog turns its nose up at chew toys and balls like mine mostly have. Well, early adopters found they could fill the Kong's hollow interior with food ranging from peanut butter and kibble to peas and cottage cheese. Not surprisingly, their more food-motivated pups became Kong devotees too. So was born a three-in-one toy that is good for chewing, fetching, and feeding. In the world of dogs, it's fair to say this is the ultimate trifecta.
But the Kong is more than a toy, really. When I adopted my first dog, the rescue explained that many dogs develop separation anxiety. Their suggestion to prevent or alleviate this challenging condition: Shortly before leaving my dog alone, give him a Kong filled with a tasty frozen treat to distract from my departure and absence. Ideally, a happily occupied dog is less inclined to experience anxiety and engage in destructive or disruptive behaviors like inappropriate chewing or barking.
Dr. Carlo Siracusa, DVM, associate professor of clinical animal behavior and welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, told Business Insider that food-enhanced toys, like the Kong, provide excellent environmental enrichment, keeping a dog's mind active and stimulated while promoting a more balanced and less anxious temperament. "They are particularly useful in case of anxiety that manifests when the owner is away and cannot interact with the dog," Dr. Siracusa said.
Thankfully, my dogs never displayed signs of separation anxiety. Perhaps I can credit the Kong here. Nonetheless, a stuffed Kong was the only toy that piqued the interest of my first dog. Now, with my second dog, Homer, the Kong is again a well-loved vessel that delivers tempting treats slowly and safely. I leave him with a frozen peanut-butter-filled Kong when I head out to work each morning. Without fail, Kong is king, and he doesn't even acknowledge my presence — or lack thereof.
The Kong is also my go-to toy when entertaining friends, especially during summer barbecues. In typical beagle form, Homer can't resist begging for (and stealing) burgers. But if I give him a Kong, he saunters off to a corner of the patio to enjoy his own treat and leave us to ours.
Right now, I have five Kong toys sitting in my freezer. Yes, FIVE. I prepare a week's worth in advance. It makes cleanup easier, and it's one less thing to remember during the week. The Kong Company also offers a convenient line of edible products to fill their classic toy, and users have shared their own super elaborate concoctions across the internet (yogurt, applesauce, ground beef, and eggs, anyone?).
KongIt's pretty important to keep this toy clean and free of bacteria. I soak a dirty Kong in water to loosen up any remaining food, clean it out with a bottle brush, then toss it in the dishwasher. The first Kong, which I bought eight years ago, has been through hundreds of dishwasher cycles. While the color has faded and the rubber has noticeably softened, it still serves its purpose perfectly.
The Kong Classic is designed for dogs who are moderate chewers. It's available in six sizes that are matched to varying weight ranges. Breed-specific size recommendations can also be found on the Kong Company website. If the Kong Classic isn't the right fit for your dog, variations are available for puppies, senior dogs, power chewers, and even cats.
The Kong Company makes other great products my pup loves, too, including their Wobbler, Goodie Bone, and Flyer.
Lisa Sabatini
Senior Editor, Pets
Lisa Sabatini is a pet expert who has edited over 100 buying guides for dog, cat, and small animal products over the last four years at Business Insider. ExperienceLisa is the senior pets editor for the Reviews team at Business Insider. Her main focus is on providing readers with trustworthy product recommendations for their pets, from food to training accessories. Since joining the team in 2020, Lisa has also overseen the team's coverage of parenting and home products. As a freelance developmental editor and copyeditor for publisher Callisto, Lisa previously worked on dog training books for young readers. She began her journalism career at The Wall Street Journal and was also an editor at the parenting website Scary Mommy. Why you can trust LisaAt Business Insider, Lisa oversees all aspects of pet products coverage, from buying guide conception and planning through final edits and publication. She consults with veterinarians to ensure buying guides meet the highest standards for animal health and welfare. Alongside reporters, Lisa designs meticulous research and testing methodologies. For example, for Business Insider's guide to the best airline-approved cat carriers, two reporters tested 26 popular carriers. Not only were the carriers tested on walks, but reporters also dropped them from 10 feet (no cats were involved!) and smeared them with cat food to see which ones held up best. Lisa moderated the 2022 SXSW panel "Pet Tech and the Changing Pet-Owner Relationship." The panel included leaders in pet technology, nutrition, and health who discussed trends around how people care for their pets and how these trends have influenced the growing pet products market.Over the past decade, Lisa has adopted two untrained shelter dogs and has had the privilege of caring for them through their senior years. In this time, she's enjoyed bonding with them using positive rewards-based dog training.ExpertiseLisa has expertise in the following pet product categories:Ex-Hong Kong Beauty Queen Fears For Third Pet Dog After Two Die By Poisoning
ERROR: The request could not be satisfiedRequest blocked. We can't connect to the server for this app or website at this time. There might be too much traffic or a configuration error. Try again later, or contact the app or website owner. If you provide content to customers through CloudFront, you can find steps to troubleshoot and help prevent this error by reviewing the CloudFront documentation.
Generated by cloudfront (CloudFront) Request ID: 2JX43DEL5Vqm4qQk8QseQOlYdsn_l1NuwctuZJ3ZynEREgmp4KvBAQ==
Comments
Post a Comment