Two years ago, on Halloween weekend, I shared my favorite Kong stuffers for dogs. I am bringing them back with a Halloween twist because they are even more useful as Kong stuffers for trick-or-treat night. Every time the doorbell rings, Benji is convinced the person on the other side came to see him. A frozen, filled Kong gives him something better to do than greet the whole neighborhood.
Why a Kong Works on Trick-or-Treat Night
The front door opens and closes all night, and one slip is all it takes for a dog to go parading down the block. So Benji spends the evening in his kennel, away from the door, with a puzzle toy and a little string of orange lights so he is not in complete darkness.
He hates it at first. Everyone who comes to the door is for him. Every Amazon package is for him. Every letter is for him. Every solicitor? They came to see him. So I understand. But he settles, because he knows that when it is all done and the lights outside go dim, he gets me 100%.
A frozen Kong is the other half of that plan. It keeps him busy, it lasts, and it turns a stressful kennel into the place where the good things happen. Planning candy safety for the night too? I covered that in my Halloween Dog Safety post.
The Basic Ingredients
These are the staples I keep on hand. Mix and match them, and always check your labels.
- Canned pumpkin (plain, not pie filling)
- Unsweetened, low-fat Greek yogurt
- Organic peanut butter with no sugar, no salt, and no xylitol
- Low-fat cottage cheese
- Plain, cooked chicken breast
- Carrots
- Frozen peas
- Green beans
Two Go-To Kong Recipes
Pumpkin Fest: shredded plain chicken, plus either low-fat unsweetened Greek yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese, plus canned pumpkin.
Chicken Pot Pie: shredded plain chicken, diced green beans, diced carrots, and canned pumpkin.
How to Fill and Freeze
Fill the Kong and freeze it until it is firm. A frozen Kong lasts much longer, which is exactly what you want on a busy night. My shortcut is a disposable pastry bag with the tip cut off. It fills the Kong neatly with no spoon and no spills.
Why These Ingredients Work
- Pumpkin is high in fiber, can help with digestion and sensitive tummies, and has vitamins A and C.
- Chicken is a lean protein that is gentle on digestion.
- Greek yogurt contains probiotics.
- Green beans are low in calories and have vitamins A, C, and K. Keep them to about 10% of your dog’s diet.
- Carrots are low in calories and offer potassium, calcium, and other nutrients.
Your Trick-or-Treat Kong Plan
- Fill and freeze your Kongs ahead of time so they are ready before the first knock.
- Set up the kennel or quiet room away from the front door, with a puzzle toy and soft lighting.
- Hand over the frozen Kong right before the doorbell starts, not after your dog is already worked up.
- When the night winds down, give your dog your full attention. Benji earns every minute of it.
Fill, freeze, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your dog has a fun and nutritious way to get through the night.
Stay in the loop with our latest pet care tips and insights!
Join our community of pet lovers and get a free gift — Benji’s Favorite Bites recipe PDF when you sign up!
