Pumpkin-Spiced Enrichment 

Seasonal Enrichment Starts with KONG®

Autumn is the perfect time to start teaching your dog how to use a KONG for daily enrichment sessions—whether it be a KONG® Classic, Tire, Goodie Bone, or other rubber KONG toy.  

Dogs that visit Dogtopia for doggy daycare can opt for daily enrichment time with a stuffed KONG as part of their routine, and you can recreate the same routine at home. Read through to the end of this blog for a special offer from our friends at Dogtopia!

Giving your dog a stuffed KONG can relieve boredom and curb unwanted behaviors—like chewing your favorite household items, pacing, barking, and more. A daily KONG routine gives dogs a sense of structure and stability, which helps them feel more relaxed and at-ease. 

These fall-inspired recipes provide a variety of sensory enrichment like smell, taste, and touch, enhancing your dog’s cognitive skills and overall experience. 

Pureed pumpkin, our featured seasonal ingredient is:

• A natural, mildly sweet treat 
• Full of fiber
• Soothes upset stomach 
• A supplemental aid for weight management  
• Acts as a prebiotic 
• Helps regulate blood sugar 

KONG Cuisine Recipes for Fall 

Pumpkin Patch Cubes  

This autumn-inspired blend combines warming ingredients to make a sweet & cool treat in easy-to-stuff ice cubes. Nutritious and delicious pumpkin, banana, yogurt, and cinnamon are easy on the digestive system, while rich maple syrup gives wholesome fall vibes. This recipe can be made two ways: by layering the ingredients in the ice cube tray or blending them together before freezing. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of pumpkin puree (plain, no sugar added)
• 1 cup of plain yogurt 
• 1 tbsp of maple syrup 
• 1 tsp of cinnamon 
• 1 cup of mashed banana 
• Silicone ice cube tray 

Instructions 

• Step 1: Spoon a small amount of the mashed banana into a silicone mold tray. Freeze the layer for 20 minutes. 
• Step 2: Mix the cinnamon with the pumpkin, and add a small amount of the mixture to the silicone mold. Freeze the layer for 20 minutes. 
• Step 3: Mix the maple syrup with the plain yogurt, and fill the remainder of the silicone mold tray. 
• Step 4: Freeze for 1-2 hours. 
• Step 5: Stuff cubes inside a KONG Classic, saving the remaining cubes in the freezer. 

Time-saver option:  Blend all ingredients together, and freeze in a silicone cube tray. 

Paw Pumpkin Pie 

The best part of any holiday meal? Dessert! Apples, carrots, and pumpkin puree inspire the feeling of warmth on a crisp fall day. Fix this delectable treat to savor the sweetest part of any holiday with your pup. 

Ingredients

• 3/8 cup of grated carrot 
• 1/8 cup of apple 
• 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree (plain, no sugar added) 

Instructions 

• Step 1: Cut the apple into cubes, half of the width of the KONG’s opening.
• Step 2: Grate the carrot. 
• Step 3: Mix all the ingredients (apple cubes and grated carrots) in a mixing bowl. 
• Step 4: Stuff into your KONG. 
• Step 5 (optional): Freeze KONG for longer enrichment time. 

Easy Pumpkin & Carrot Smoothie 

The perfect beginner recipe for learning to stuff a KONG! Two festive & favorite orange ingredients combine to bring a blast of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that’s good for eye and skin health. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of pumpkin puree 
• 1/3 cup of carrots 
• Silicone ice cube tray 

Instructions 

• Step 1: Combine all the ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. 
• Step 2: Pour the mixture into a mold of your choice or an ice tray. 
• Step 3: Place in the freezer, and freeze for two hours. 
• Step 4: Stuff cubes inside KONG. 

Pumpkin Spice Puppy Kisses 

This recipe packs a one-two punch by combining peanut butter with pumpkin. Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein to aid in maintaining muscle mass, and pumpkin keeps digestion running smoothly. Just remember to look for peanut butter that does not contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and cats.  

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup of natural peanut butter (plain) 
• 1/3 cup of pumpkin puree (plain, no sugar added) 
• 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon 
• 1 large egg 
• Piping bag or silicon baking mold tray (small shapes are best) 

Instructions 

• Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Mix the peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and ground cinnamon together until fully combined. 
• Step 2: Pour the mixture into the piping bag. Pipe small “kisses” onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Optional: Fill silicone baking tray with mixture. 
• Step 3: Place the sheet or tray into the oven for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze to keep longer. 
• Step 4: Stuff treats into a KONG, and save a few for quick rewards! 

Important: This recipe contains egg and should be cooked thoroughly. Raw and undercooked eggs should not be consumed.  

Visit our friends at Dogtopia to keep your pup active this season! They’re offering all new parents one week of unlimited doggie daycare!

Do you have a favorite fall-inspired KONG recipe? Let us know by tagging us in your recipe posts on social media @KONGCompany & @dogsofdogtopia! 

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