We all love gummies–but the gummy treats that we enjoy are not good for dogs. It’s simple, fast and easy to make homemade gummies for dogs, though–it literally takes only a few minutes of cooking time!
Gelatin is the base of gummies, dissolved in water or your choice of liquids. I used liver broth to add lots of flavor. You can use many liquid bases–and even blend or drop in additional treats for more flavor, creating a sweet or savory gummy treat for your dog’s tastes!
Before you get started, prepare your trays for the gelatin mixture. You can use ice cube trays or silicone trays (my preference since they’re so cute!)
To make it easy to pop the gummies out of the trays, you’ll want to give the trays a spray with olive oil. I used an olive oil mister; you just pump up the mixer to create a spray:
Spray the olive oil in the silicone molds; if you don’t have a mister, just lightly grease each mold with the olive oil.
Don’t have a silicone tray or extra ice cube tray handy? Just use a small jelly roll pan or even a disposable foil pan. Spray it with olive oil; when the gummies are set, use a knife to cut the gummies into squares. Your dog won’t mind one bit!
How to Make Gelatin for Your Dog
Now it’s time to make the gelatin!
I use original UNFLAVORED Knox Gelatin; it contains nothing but gelatin and has just 5 calories per serving.
I used liver broth that I’d frozen after a previous dog treat recipe. You can also use homemade chicken broth–or make some liver broth using either beef or chicken liver just the same way.
I thawed the broth in the refrigerator overnight so the broth was chilled.
Step one is to sprinkle two packets of gelatin (2 tablespoons) over a 1/4 cup of cold broth. Give the gelatin one minute to “bloom” in the cold broth.
While you’re waiting, warm a half cup of broth on the stove or in the microwave. Don’t worry that there are bits of meat in the broth; your dog will love it!
Once the broth comes to a boil, pour the hot broth into the cold broth and gelatin mixture:
Stir the mix completely then pour it into the trays.
TIP: If you’re using floppy silicone trays rather than a rigid ice cube tray, your life will be easier if you place the silicone trays on a cookie sheet BEFORE you fill the trays. It will make moving the trays into the refrigerator much, much easier!
Let the gummies refrigerate for four or five hours, then pop them out of the trays:
Store the gummies for up to four days in your refrigerator. They make cool treats after a summer dog walk!
Gummies also make a great way to sneakily give pills to your dog; just insert the pill into the gelatin and call it a treat!
More Gummies Ideas for Dogs!
Want to mix it up a bit? Try using any of these liquids as the base for your gelatin dog treat:
- chicken broth
- beef broth (make your own; store versions have onion powder, a no-no for dogs)
- bone broth (again make your own due to onion powder and seasonings in some store versions)
- pumpkin puree and water (see how to make your own pumpkin puree). If you use store-bought puree, be sure to buy pure pumpkin, NOT pie filling which contains spices and sugar.
- canned dog food and water
- dehydrated dog food and water
Or use plain gelatin and water and add some sprinkles! Pulverize these in a food processor or blender…or just drop them into the gummies once you pour the mix in the tray:
- blueberries
- green beans
- turmeric (about 1/8 teaspoon) with a dash of black pepper
- peas
- small bits of chicken or liver
- small pieces of banana
- training-size dog treats
TIP: Be sure to check our A-Z list of Foods Never to Feed Your Dog!
Broth Gummies for Dogs
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
It’s fast and easy to make homemade gummies for your dogs using healthy ingredients!
Ingredients
- 2 packets (2 Tablespoons) unflavored, unsweetened gelatin
- 3/4 cup liver, chicken, beef or turkey broth, divided
- olive oil
Instructions
- Spray silicone trays with olive oil. Set trays onto cookie sheet and set aside.
- Pour 1/4 cup of homemade broth in bowl and chill. Do not use commercial broths which often contain onion powder.
- Pour 3/4 cup homemade broth in sauce pan and bring to boil (or boil in microwave).
- Open 2 packets of gelatin and sprinkle in chilled broth. All gelatin to bloom for a minute or two.
- When heated broth boils, remove from heat and cool for one minute.
- Pour heated broth into chilled broth-gelatin mixture and stir completely.
- Gently pour mixture into trays.
- Move trays to refrigerator and refrigerate for 4-5 hours.
- Remove gummies from trays. Serve cold.
- Store gummies in refrigerator for 4 days.
