While the canine version of the Kong is well known, the Kitty Kong is not. But your cat can benefit from a food puzzle in the same way your dog does. Cats go absolutely crazy over the Kitty Kong once they learn to use it; it's an excellent way to keep your cat occupied and challenged.

Kitty Kongs are easy to use and can be stuffed with a variety of cat-friendly recipes. All ingredients in the Kong should be kept in their simplest form, without added spices or salt (avoid onion and garlic powder, which can be toxic to cats). Remember, any abrupt changes in your cat's diet can lead to digestive problems. Minimize the amount of dairy in your recipes, as some cats are lactose intolerant; a small amount is fine for most cats. If you notice any signs of stomach upset or skin irritation, talk to your veterinarian. If your cat is overweight, ask your veterinarian how much your cat's daily diet should be cut back on the days you give her the stuffed Kong.

Kitty Bacon and Eggs

This is one of my favorite Kitty Kong recipes. Ingredient amounts can vary — I make a large batch and store it in a Ziploc bag to use throughout the week.

2 eggs
Drop of butter
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1 to 3 strips turkey bacon
3 to 4 tablespoons cottage cheese

Kitty Kong Bacon and Eggs

Scramble eggs with just enough butter to coat the pan or dish. Add the milk, but be careful not to use too much — you don't want your cat to have a reaction to the dairy. Cook the eggs on the stove or in the microwave for a minute.

Cook the turkey bacon in a separate pan. Cut it into tiny pieces (about the size of a pea) with kitchen scissors. Add the cottage cheese and bacon bits to the cooked eggs. Use extra cottage cheese as needed to bind the mixture together. (Cottage cheese is gentler on a cat's stomach than most cheese or other dairy and is typically well-tolerated in small amounts.)

Kitty Kongs are very small, so one batch of bacon and eggs will typically last several feedings. Store the remaining mixture in a Ziploc bag in the fridge or freezer until needed. For cats skilled in Kong consumption, try serving the filled Kong frozen. This makes snacking on the Kong more of a challenge for your kitty.