Who doesn’t love a gummy type sweet? If your dog stares at you imploringly when you eat sweets and you wish you could share, then these recipes are for you.
Healthy Treats
The unflavoured and unsweetened gelatin in these treats, may have health benefits for your pet’s skin. Many believe that it helps coat and skin condition, as well as nail growth and even joint health. They also tend to be low calorie.
Adding powdered gelatin to any liquid base that is safe for dogs is an excellent idea. These liquid bases include dog-safe stocks and broths, fruit purees, vegetable and dairy milks, plain yogurt, kefir, and even plain water.
Caution: When using gelatin, you should be careful not to work with any fruits containing protease enzymes (proteolytic enzymes), such as pineapple or kiwi.
Proteases are also present in some yogurts and kefirs. Deficiencies in digestion enzymes can cause runny jelly, which occurs because of a lack of gelling properties.
Watermelon Gummies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup seedless watermelon
- 2 tablespoons or 2 packets unflavored gelatin
Instructions:
- Puree the watermelon in a blender or food processor.
- Pour into a small pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Whisk in the gelatin until dissolved. Make sure you feel no graininess when rubbing between your fingers.
- Allow the mixture to cool and then pour into silicone molds or pour into a jelly roll pan.
- Refrigerate for several hours. Remove from molds or cut out shapes with a cookie cutter
They won’t melt and can be stored in an air tight container on the counter for a few days and in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
See the original recipe here. We have it on good authority that they are pretty yummy for humans too…
Coconut Oil and Blueberry Gummies
Coconut Oil i often recommended for pets with allergies, and blueberries provide loads of antioxidants and vitamins.
Ingredients:
- 2 Packets Unflavored Gelatin (0.5 ounces)
- ½ Cup Coconut Oil
- ¼ Cup Fresh Blueberries
- 2 Tablespoons Water (optional)
Instructions:
- Place the blueberries in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Place the coconut oil in a small dish and place it in the microwave, on high, for about a minute or until fully melted.
- Add the coconut oil to the blender and blend.
- If your blueberries are cold, this may cause the coconut oil to immediately solidify. If so, slip the mixture into the microwave for about 30 seconds or until the coconut oil is liquid again.
- Combine the gelatin with the blueberry mixture and mix well. If your blueberries weren’t very juicy, the mixture may be thicker than it should be and hard to work with. If so, add a tablespoon of water in at a time and slip it into the microwave for 15 second intervals until it’s easier to work with.
- Place the silicone mold on a flat plate or moveable, flat surface.
- Fill the mold with the blueberry mixture. I use an injector tool to more easily fill the molds, but if you don’t have one, simply pouring the liquid or spooning it into the crevices will work too.
- Place in the refrigerator for an hour or until solidified.
Helpful Tips
- Store in a sealed container in a cool pantry or in the fridge. Do not freeze.
- You can use other fruits in place of the blueberries, as long as they’re safe for dogs.
- If you use the paw mold instead of the bone mold, you will get less treats out of this recipe.
Do not use frozen blueberries. Trust me…I tried it…it doesn’t work.
See the original recipe here, this site has tons of lovely ideas to use.
Turmeric Latte / Golden Milk Gummy Dog Treat Recipe
Many believe that Turmeric assists with all sorts of health issues, for those who do, you may enjoy making these treats for your dogs. You can use more or less of the spices if you wish to alter the supplementation content or smell/taste of the gummies, or something omit completely to better suit your dog.
Ingredients:
You can use more or less of the spices if you wish to alter the supplementation content or smell/taste of the gummies, or something omit completely to better suit your dog.
- 1 cup of homemade (or ready-made unsalted unseasoned) chicken stock
- 3 tbsp quality gelatin powder
- 1 tbsp turmeric powder (can use more for extra high strength gummies – see important note below)
- Sprinkle of ground black pepper
- Sprinkle of ground ginger and/or Ceylon cinnamon (optional)
- 2 tbsp coconut milk powder (see below)
Note: Do not go over 2 Tablespoons of Turmeric powder.
Instructions:
- Measure the cool stock into a small pan.
- Sprinkle the surface with gelatin powder.
- Wait and let sit for approximately five minutes or longer for the gelatin powder to bloom / gel.
- Gently stir the mixture over low heat until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Take care not to shortcut with high temperatures or overheat. Heat can reduce the setting strength of gelatin.
- Remove from heat.
- Measure your powdered add-ins into a suitable container for mixing and pouring. I’ve tried a variety of methods over the years, and I like using a coffee milk jug when I make gummies. They’re stain resistant, heat safe, easy pour, and dishwasher-friendly. Awesome!
- Mix a small spoonful of the prepared liquefied gelatin with the powders to dissolve/mix with minimal lumps and clumps. Once mixed, add in the rest of your gelatin and stir to thoroughly combine.
- Cooling to help suspend the solids (optional) prior to pouring to set can help if you’ve used a generous amount of turmeric in the treats.
- Pour into a glass pan (cut and slice) or silicone moulds (shapes).
- Chill to set.
To suspend solids in a gummy, you can cool the gelatin down to just above its setting point so that it is thick and viscous enough to hold the floating and/or sinking pieces distributed through the gummy mixture. Slowly, stirring often, allow the mixture to cool and thicken. You can do this at room temperature, but it will be faster if you use the fridge (or an ice bath, if you prefer). When the mixture has thickened enough, spoon or pour the mixture into your moulds to set as per above.
For more tips on storing gummy treats, different recipes and ideas, view the original recipe here.