AS PROMISED - Pumpkin Kongs!

Ok, this isn't a recipie, it's just a how to. It's easy, but time consuming, and will stain, if precautions aren't taken, BUT these keep my dogs busy FOUR TIMES longer than anything else i can stuff in their kongs, so i endure.

What you need: 1. can of pumpkin. I have a giagantic one because i can! (no pun intended) this can makes enough to fill 12 kongs. The 30oz can fills 3-4 kongs. 2. apron 3. 2 metal bowls (plastic will stain!) 4. metal strainer 5. tea towel that does not have any tears or weak spots 6. kongs


Start by putting on your apron. Trust me this process is messy and will stain!!! Then open the can. Make sure it's fully charged as my Gizmo died halfway thru.


Tada!


Put the strainer over/in one of the bowls. The strainer will prevent any large chunks falling into the pumpkin juice. Start with small amounts of pumpkin in the tea towel until you get used to the motion that removes the most water.


Twist the towel up around the pumpkin.


Squeeeeeeze! I've found that flattening the pumpkin out and wringing it against itself works well to remove water. half the battle is getting the water off the towel and into the bowel!


Once you've removed most of the water you will be left with what looks like baby poop in a diaper. Was that TMI? sorry...


Um.. you'll be left with what looks like deep orange playdough. better? IT doesn't have to be completely dry, but dry enough that it's not going to leak out the bottom of the kongs.


You'll be amazed how much water you will get out of just one scoop of pumpkin


After half my my giant can my arms started to get shaky so i stopped.


This will be just enough pumpkin to fill 6 kongs.


begin the stuffing process. make sure you pack the kong starting at the bottom as it's hard to remove air bubbles once it's full.


These are ready to go into the freezer. They need to set up for at least 4-5 hours.


Store the remaining pumpkin in the fridge. this will keep long enough for me to finish squeezing next week. Don't throw the juice away! My dogs will get it in their dinner tonight. they love it. 2 2/3 cups of juice from 1/2 of the pumpkin... wow!


couple things to note. I'm not kidding about staining! Check out my nails and the dog's beds:




they now only get these in empty crates!!


Pumpkin is a great stool regulator. It helps prevent constipation and diarrhea. Don't feed too much or it can CAUSE diarrhea. my dogs will get the juice tonight, a kong tomorrow, and another kong on monday. If you have problems with your dog having diarrhea a lot add 1 tablespoon to 1/4 cup of pumpkin to their food daily, depending on their size. Enjoy!!