If you’re anything like me, your dog is family, and dumping loads of salt and scary additives into their snacks just doesn’t sit right with you. I’ve been making homemade dog food for years now—it’s honestly so rewarding! That’s why I finally perfected these super easy, healthy, chewy treats: Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones for Dogs. Seriously, they are almost impossible to mess up. My little guy, Buster, goes absolutely bonkers for them, and I love that I know exactly what goes into every single bite. They’re packed with goodness and take barely any active time to whip up. If you’ve ever tried something like my chicken and pumpkin digestive jerky, you know the drill—quality ingredients make all the difference!
Why Make Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones for Dogs?
Honestly, I started looking into homemade treats because the ingredient labels at the store started sounding more like chemistry experiments than food! Making these bone broth gummies yourself just gives you peace of mind, which is huge when we are talking about our furry best friends. Plus, they are shockingly easy on the wallet when you use up leftover broth.
Here’s why you absolutely need to give these a try for your pup:
- Total Ingredient Control: You decide zero salt, zero onion powder, zero garlic—all the stuff that’s sneaky in commercial treats.
- Joint Love: Gelatin is basically cooked-down collagen, right? So you’re sneaking in something great for their hips and joints every time they chew one.
- Super Budget-Friendly: If you already make broth, this is almost free! It’s a great way to make sure nothing goes to waste.
- Dogs Go Wild: For some reason, dogs absolutely love the texture of these things. My own dog practically leaps when he hears the fridge opening because he knows it’s gummy time! If you enjoyed the high-flavor profile of my chicken and parsley jerky, you’ll find dogs love this taste too.
Essential Ingredients for Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones for Dogs
Now we get down to what actually makes these chewy, healthy delights! The beauty here is the short list. When you’re making your own dog food or treats, I always stress the importance of knowing exactly where your ingredients come from. For these gummies, we need just three main things, provided you skip the optional step. Make sure you have your stuff laid out before you start heating anything!
It’s the broth that does the heavy lifting flavor-wise, but the gelatin is the star that gives us that satisfying gummy chew. You’ll want about 2 cups of broth on hand—that will give us roughly 30 little bones to reward the goodest boy or girl. Don’t forget to check that source! Remember how important it was to use clean ingredients for my chicken and zucchini jerky? Same rule applies here!
Ingredient Clarity and Safety Checks
The most important thing to know about the gelatin is that it has to be unflavored. Don’t even look at the stuff meant for Jell-O molds or desserts; we just want pure, gelatin powder for that amazing collagen boost. This is what firms everything up when it chills. If you decide to use the coconut oil, it’s only going on the outside right at the end, mostly to keep them from sticking to each other in the container. If you melt it a tiny bit, it’s easier to brush on lightly. That’s it! No weird fillers or stabilizers here, just pure goodness.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones for Dogs
Okay, don’t let the gelatin intimidate you! This recipe is smoother than my first attempt at beef and carrot jerky, I promise. The whole process is done on the stovetop in about five minutes, but you have to respect the chilling time, or you’ll end up with soup, which neither you nor your dog will enjoy!
We are following the recipe exactly, which keeps the texture perfect—chewy but not sticky. If you can gently stand over a low burner for a minute or two, you can make these amazing snacks. It’s really all about building that structure correctly so they hold their shape when little Buster tries to sneak them!
Blooming the Gelatin
This is the moment when the gelatin wakes up! In a small saucepan, pour about half a cup of your cold, safe bone broth. Then, you take your four tablespoons of gelatin powder and sprinkle it evenly right over the top of that cold liquid. Don’t stir it yet! You need to let it sit there for a solid five minutes. This waiting time is crucial—it’s called “blooming”—and it lets the gelatin absorb the liquid so it dissolves nicely later without clumps.
Dissolving and Combining the Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones Base
After those five minutes, set the saucepan over very low heat. You must stir constantly here, trust me, because burned gelatin at the bottom tastes terrible. Keep stirring until that powder is totally gone and the liquid is smooth. The huge warning: Do not let it boil! Boiling ruins the setting power of the gelatin. Once it’s perfectly clear and smooth, pull it right off the heat. Now, whisk in the remaining cold broth—that’s a cup and a half—to cool the mixture down quickly.
Setting and Finishing the Dog Treats
Time for the fun part! Pour that liquid mixture right into your silicone molds. If you don’t have bone-shaped ones, small squares work just fine! If you skip the molds entirely, just pour it into a small parchment-lined dish, and you can cut cubes later, just like the notes mentioned. Pop that tray into the fridge for a minimum of four hours. I usually leave mine overnight just to be safe! Once they are totally firm, gently pop them out. If they feel a little too sticky, just lightly brush them with a tiny bit of melted coconut oil. That’s it! Instant, perfect treats!
Tips for Perfect Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones for Dogs
Even though these are super easy, sometimes the chilling process tries to trick you! If you find your gummies are coming out squishy or way too soft after four hours, it usually means one of two things: either your gelatin wasn’t stirred in completely before you took it off the heat, or your broth wasn’t quite cold enough when you mixed the bulk of it in. Don’t panic if they feel sticky when you try to unmold them.
My secret hack for stickiness, besides the coconut oil trick, is actually letting them sit out on the drying rack for about thirty minutes before I put them in the container. This lets any excess surface moisture evaporate a bit. If you used a shallow pan instead of molds, a sharp knife dipped in hot water makes cutting those cubes super neat, much cleaner than when I attempted that turkey and apple jerky slice before I perfected my technique!
Storing and Serving Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones for Dogs
Okay, now that you have this fantastic batch of homemade goodies—we made about 30 little bones, remember?—we need to talk about keeping them fresh. Since we skipped all the preservatives and salty stuff that keeps commercial treats shelf-stable for months, these are best treated like fresh food. They absolutely love chilling out in the fridge!
You need to pop these babies into an airtight container right away. Seriously, if they sit out on the counter exposed to air, they start sweating a bit and get sticky really fast. We worked hard to get that perfect texture, so let’s protect it! When stored properly in the refrigerator, these Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones for Dogs stay delightfully chewy and firm for about one week total. That’s usually long enough for Buster to sniff them all out, but if you accidentally make a giant batch, you might need a backup plan.
I haven’t personally frozen them for long periods, but I know some folks have success. If you plan on freezing, make sure they are completely dry before wrapping them tightly in parchment paper first, then placing them in a freezer bag. When it comes to serving, honestly, my dog treats them like high-value rewards, so one or two at a time is perfect. They are great little bites to toss in before a walk or when you’re working on training. If you want to see what other great, soft treats work well, check out my recipe for the rabbit and parsley soft jerky—that one is another easy keeper!
Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Broth Gummies for Dogs
I get so many questions about minor substitutions, which is great because it means you all are making these! It shows me you care about customizing things safely for your pups. Here are some of the common things folks ask me about when they’re planning their batches.
Can I use different broth types?
That’s a fantastic question! For these chewy treats, you absolutely can switch up the base broth. Chicken and beef are the most common since they are generally easy to find low-sodium, but turkey broth works beautifully too. The main thing you’ve got to remember, no matter which animal’s bones you used, is that the broth must be completely free of harmful ingredients like onions, garlic, or excessive salt. If you find a goat or pork broth that fits those strict rules, go for it! It just changes the flavor slightly. My recipe for the lamb and pumpkin fitness jerky shows how changing the meat base can alter the taste profile.
Are these suitable for puppies?
Generally, yes, they are fantastic for puppies, provided they are old enough to be eating solid, chewier treats. Since these gelatin treats are so gentle and hydrating, they are often safer than hard biscuits for tiny teeth. However, I always recommend cutting the gummy bones into much smaller nibs for very young puppies just starting solids or seniors. As long as the broth you use is pure and unsalted, they are a great, easy snack for growing pups!
How long do they last if frozen?
While I usually say one week in the fridge is the sweet spot for maximum chewiness, you can definitely freeze these! If you want to keep a big stash ready to go, freezing works great, but texture will change slightly upon thawing. Make sure you wrap them really tightly—parchment paper first, then aluminum foil or a freezer bag. If you freeze them for up to two or three months, they should be fine. Just let them thaw in the fridge before serving, or let them sit on the counter for about twenty minutes.
What if my dog doesn’t like the gelatin texture?
If your dog is picky about the chewiness, you can try adjusting the gelatin ratio, but you have to be careful not to make it too soft. For a much firmer, less bouncy gummy, try using just three and a half tablespoons of gelatin instead of the full four for the two cups of broth. If they come out soupy, you’ll know you need more next time! Sometimes, mixing in a tablespoon of finely ground, dried sweet potato powder can slightly change the texture too, giving it a little more body.
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones for Dogs
I always feel better giving Buster treats when I have a rough idea of what’s in them, even if they are homemade and super simple. Transparency is everything, right? Because we are using basic ingredients like pure broth and gelatin, the nutritional breakdown is actually pretty clean and straightforward here. Trust me, these are miles better than those mystery treats you find on the bottom shelf!
Please remember this is just an estimate, folks. The exact numbers will fluctuate depending on whether you use beef broth or chicken broth, and how much fat was left in your specific batch of broth. But this gives us a really good ballpark idea of what your pup is getting in each little gummy bone.
Here’s the breakdown, based on a single small gummy treat, which is about the right serving size for my medium-sized dog:
- Calories: Only about 15 calories! That’s brilliant for dogs who need to watch their weight, like my friend’s Golden Retriever.
- Protein: We are looking at about 2 grams per treat, which is awesome because that comes straight from quality collagen precursors in the gelatin.
- Fat: Super low, usually hitting around 0.5 grams total fat. Remember, if you use super fatty broth, this number goes up, so skim the top layer of fat off before you bloom the gelatin!
- Sodium: If you made your broth right (no added salt!), the sodium should be very low, maybe around 5mg.
- Carbohydrates: Mostly coming from the gelatin structure, sitting around 2 grams.
Every single bite is focused on hydration and joint support, not sugar or fillers. Even when comparing them to my chicken and blueberry energy jerky, these gummies are definitely lower on the calorie scale, making them perfect for training rewards throughout the day. It’s great to have those low-cal options on hand!
Share Your Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones Creations
Well, that’s it! You’ve successfully made a batch of incredible, healthy, chewy Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones for Dogs! I really hope your furry family member loves them as much as Buster loves his. Watching that little tail wag when they realize what’s in your hand? That’s the best part of baking for them, hands down.
Now, I absolutely want to see the results of your hard work! Did you use bone shapes, or did you go for the simple cubes? Did your dog manage to wait for them to cool down, or did they try to sneak one right off the counter?
Don’t be shy—I’d love to hear what you think. If you made them, please shoot me a rating. Let me know right down in the comments below how many stars you’d give this simple recipe! Even a quick note helps me know if I should keep tweaking the texture notes or if we nailed the perfect chewiness.
And please, bookmark this page! When you run out (which will happen fast, trust me), you’ll want the recipe right there. If you have any troubleshooting questions about storage or substitutions next time, you can always reach out through my contact page. Happy snacking for your very best friend!
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Happy Belly Bone Broth Gummy Bones for Dogs
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 min
- Yield: Approximately 30 small treats 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Simple recipe for making dog-safe, chewy bone broth gummy treats.
Ingredients
- 2 cups beef or chicken bone broth (low sodium, no onion/garlic)
- 4 tablespoons unflavored gelatin powder
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil (optional, for coating)
Instructions
- Pour 1/2 cup of the bone broth into a small saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin powder over the cold broth and let it bloom for 5 minutes.
- Gently heat the saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Do not boil the mixture.
- Remove from heat and whisk in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cold bone broth.
- Pour the mixture into silicone molds shaped like bones or small squares.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until completely firm.
- Carefully remove the gummies from the molds. If desired, lightly coat them with coconut oil to prevent sticking.
- Store the gummy bones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- Always use bone broth made without salt, onion, garlic, or other toxic ingredients for dogs.
- If you do not have silicone molds, you can pour the mixture into a shallow, parchment-lined pan and cut it into small cubes once set.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Category: Pet Treats
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: Dog Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gummy
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 0.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.2
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: dog treats, bone broth gummies, homemade dog food, gelatin treats, happy belly