Gummies for Dogs and How to Make Them

November 15, 2022 Rebecca Siggers Lifestyle Health & Nutrition

When it comes to our dogs, we all want the best for them. Whether that's the comfiest dog bed on the market or the yummiest treat we can get our hands on. Treats, however, can sometimes set you back a couple of bucks. They don't last very long—in comes gummies.

We all love them; they are incredibly easy to make. They are also a great way to discreetly slip in your pups' pills and are a refreshing, healthy treat after a long day of walking during summer.

Whether this is your first time making them or your hundredth, stick around and learn how to make these yummy treats.

Benefits of Gummies

A quick Google search for gummies will realize the world of gummies is enormous and ranges. Gummies have a host of potential benefits, such as:

Relief from chronic pain and anxiety
Aiding proper digestion, thanks to the gelatin
Alleviating aching and soreness

What Do You Need To Make Gummies?

The first ingredient is gelatin. This is the standard base for all gummies and what gives them their signature elasticity and chewiness. Gelatin also has numerous benefits for the health of your pup.

When buying gelatin for your dogs' gummies, ensure you get the unflavoured, unsweetened kind. Also, ensure that xylitol isn't present. It can be fatal to your dog.

The second ingredient is a liquid. Depending on your dog's flavor, you could use an array of liquids spanning from water to beef broth. Ensure that the liquid is dog friendly. And also, if you're using a broth with meat pieces, they aren't extremely big. Shred them or cut them up into little pieces.

Some of the other liquids you could interchange with include,

Dehydrated dog food mixed with water
Canned dog food and water
Chicken or liver broth
Chicken bone broth
Vegetable purees

The equipment needed is a silicone mold /casserole dish /jelly roll pan/any other tray you have on hand. You can go a step above and lightly spray the pan with light oil to help minimize sticking when you're popping them out.

How To Store Your Gummy Treats

Now that you've become a master at your craft, the next step is knowing how to store them. Your gummies need to be stored in the refrigerator to avoid them being sticky and going soft.

You can incorporate an extra step to help them hold their shape: leaving them uncovered in the refrigerator overnight and popping them into an airtight container in the morning.

These gummies can stay in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, but they sometimes tend to mold. Check them before giving them to your pups. If you make a large batch of the gummies, you can freeze them for months, giving them to your dog when they are frozen.

This way, they won't have melted during the thawing process.

Recipes To Try Out

There are countless numbers of recipes on the internet that you can try out, depending on your dog's preference. Does he prefer sweet or savory treats?

1. Country Bumpkin (Pumpkin Treats)

Ingredients

½ cup cool broth, water, or any other liquid you'd prefer and is dog friendly

½ cup cooked pureed pumpkin either by processor or blender

3 tablespoon gelatin

You can easily make alterations to the recipe to make as many treats as you can handle. Remember to keep the ratio of broth/puree at 1 cup to 3 tablespoons of gelatin for this recipe.

Method

Pour the broth into the pan.
Sprinkle in the gelatin powder
let it sit and wait for 5 minutes for it to bloom
Once the mixture has bloomed, set it over low heat, stirring occasionally
Remove from the stovetop
Measure out the pumpkin puree into a container
Add in a suitable amount of the gelatin mixture and stir to combine
Pour into the silicone molds/ pan
Chill to set for 4-6 hours and enjoy

2. Peanut Butter Monsters

Ingredients

¾ cup of broth

2 tablespoons of gelatin

¼ cup of powdered peanut butter (if you have normal peanut butter, that works too)

Method

Place the broth into a saucepan and place on medium heat, watching for when it begins to steam but not boil.
Remove from heat and whisk in two tablespoons of gelatin until everything has dissolved.
Add in the peanut butter and whisk until all the peanut butter has dissolved.
Carefully use either a measuring cup or Pour out into the molds or pan
Transfer to the fridge and allow to set until firm
Unmould your treats and hand them to your pup

Helpful Tips

Use more or less gelatin depending on how firm or jiggly you prefer your dog treats. If you're using silicone molds, place a baking tray underneath them to help transfer them to the fridge. If you're in a pinch and decide to use store-bought broth, go for dog-safe broths with low sodium content and no additional herbs like onion and garlic powder.

Bottom Line

When making gummies for your pups, there's no wrong way to tackle it. They make a great healthy snack and can be an excellent way for you to bond with your furry friend. Trying out all the recipes can be an exciting way to find out what your dog is interested in and an excellent way to introduce veggies, and fruits, although not all fruits are safe for dogs.