Watching our best old friends slow down is tough, isn’t it? You see those little hesitations getting up from a nap, or maybe they just aren’t as bouncy when you grab the leash. We want to help them stay spry, but those hard crunchy biscuits can sometimes be tough on aging teeth. That’s why I got obsessed with making these Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies. They are tiny, chewy little powerhouses packed with goodness. Bone broth is truly liquid gold when it comes to keeping those joints happy and moving smoothly. Trust me, making these simple, soft treats has been a total game-changer for my old guy, Max!

Why You Need These Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies

If your old pup turns their nose up at hard treats or struggles to chew, these are exactly what you need. These gummies are specifically designed to be gentle yet incredibly beneficial. I already have a recipe for a fantastic turmeric paste you can check out here for joint support, but sometimes you just need a quick, easy treat!

Super Soft Texture: They are delightfully chewy, making them perfect for dogs with sensitive or missing teeth. No more struggling!
Hidden Joint Support: That bone broth base is full of collagen that helps keep things moving smoothly.
Super Simple Prep: Honestly, this takes maybe 15 minutes of *actual* work, and the rest is just waiting patiently for the magic to set.
All-Natural Goodness: You know exactly what’s going into these—no weird fillers or unnecessary junk.

Gathering Ingredients for Your Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies

Okay, the ingredient list for these Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies is short, which I love because it means less shopping frustration! You need one cup of beef bone broth—make sure it’s already cooled completely before you start, that’s super important. Then grab your water, four tablespoons of unflavored gelatin powder (don’t try to use the flavored stuff, trust me on this!), a teaspoon of turmeric, and half a teaspoon of ginger. Oh, and if you want them extra texturally nice, toss in a quarter cup of pumpkin puree, but that part is optional!

Ingredient Clarity and Sourcing Tips

Let’s talk quality here, because that broth is the star! You absolutely must use unflavored gelatin; we aren’t trying to make sugary Jell-O for the pups! And remember that broth needs to be cooled. If it’s warm when the gelatin hits it, it won’t bloom correctly, and you’ll get clumps instead of smooth gummies. When you buy your pumpkin, make sure it’s just pure pumpkin puree, not pie filling—we don’t want any added spices or sweeteners in this batch. If you’re unsure about the turmeric, I find high-quality, bright yellow powder works best for maximizing that anti-inflammatory boost.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies

Alright, time to make the magic happen! This process is so easy, but you have to respect the gelatin, or these Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies won’t set right. I usually put on a podcast while I do the stovetop part because it moves pretty fast once the heat is on. If you’ve ever made Jell-O, you’re halfway there, but we need a little more care here for the structure.

First things first: Get that cooled bone broth and water into a small saucepan. Make sure that broth isn’t warm at all!
Next, sprinkle the gelatin powder slowly and evenly over the top of the liquid. Don’t stir it in yet! You’ve got to let it sit for a full five minutes so it can ‘bloom.’ This is key!
Now, put that saucepan on very low heat. You want to stir it gently, constantly, until that gelatin powder is completely gone and dissolved. I usually spend about two minutes here.
Pull the pan right off the heat—this is important! We absolutely cannot boil this mixture, or the gelatin won’t set up properly later.
Stir in your turmeric, ginger, and that optional pumpkin puree until everything looks perfectly smooth and beautifully golden.
Pour this liquid treasure into your silicone molds or a shallow dish lined with parchment paper—whichever you prefer for easy removal.
Into the fridge they go! They need a minimum of four hours, but honestly, I always leave mine overnight just to be super sure they are firm.
Once they are solid, pop them out of the molds, or carefully lift the parchment and cut them into little squares. They are ready to serve! If you want to see how I make other joint-supporting jerky treats, check out this chicken and parsley recipe!

Blooming the Gelatin and Gentle Heating

That five-minute blooming stage is non-negotiable. When gelatin sits untouched on the liquid, it hydrates evenly. If you just dump it in and start stirring, you end up with tiny, hard, undissolved gelatin pebbles in your finished gummy. Nobody wants that! When you heat it, keep it low! Boiling liquid actually damages the protein structure in the gelatin, which means your gummies will end up runny and sticky instead of that perfect, chewy texture we’re aiming for. Think warm bathwater, not a rolling boil!

Setting and Cutting Your Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies

Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to setting time. While four hours is the minimum required chilly time, I find that if you leave them overnight, they are so much less likely to smudge or tear when you try to take them out of the molds. If you used molds, they pop right out, which is satisfying! If you poured yours into a baking dish like a big sheet, use a sharp knife, and score them into small, dog-bite-sized pieces—remember, these are for seniors, so keep them small and easy to handle!

Tips for Perfect Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies Every Time

Once you master the basic steps for these Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies, you can start tweaking them to suit your own pup’s preferences. I’ve made dozens of batches experimenting with what works best for my aging boy, and I’ve learned a couple of little tricks along the way that save a lot of frustration.

If you find your first batch is slightly too soft—maybe they are squishing too easily when you handle them—don’t stress! That’s just the gelatin ratio needing a tiny nudge. Next time, try adding just one extra teaspoon of the unflavored gelatin powder. You have to play around a little because the strength of gelatin can vary by brand, but that’s how you learn.

The ginger is fantastic for digestion, but if your dog is super picky, you absolutely don’t have to include it. I know some dogs who turn their nose up at any spice, even mild ones. Just leave the ground ginger out, and everything else stays exactly the same. It’s still going to be a wonderful, joint-supporting gummy!

Another thing I always suggest is temperature, temperature, temperature! When I stir in the turmeric and ginger, I make sure the pan is completely off the heat and has cooled for a minute. I don’t want to zap the beneficial properties right out of those healthy spices with residual heat. It’s all about being gentle so we preserve all the good stuff for the seniors!

Storage and Serving Suggestions for Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies

Storing these wonderful Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies correctly is super easy, thank goodness! Since they are full of broth and moisture, they have to stay chilled. Keep them tucked away in an airtight container in your refrigerator. If you’ve made them nice and firm with the right amount of gelatin, they should stay perfectly good for up to two weeks. I tend to make smaller batches often so I know they are always top-notch and fresh.

Now, when you introduce them to your older pup, remember the golden rule: slow and steady wins the race! Even though these are packed with simple, healthy ingredients like bone broth and turmeric, you should always start slow. Give just one little gummy a day for the first few days to make sure their tummies handle it well. If you are looking for other immune-boosting treats you can make during the week, I highly recommend trying out the recipe for Turkey and Ginger Immunity Jerky!

Variations on Bone Broth Soft Gummies for Senior Dogs

Once you have the basic recipe for these Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies down, it’s really fun to start thinking about other ways to boost the benefits, especially for those achy joints! The base of bone broth and gelatin is so sturdy that it handles small additions really well. You want to keep things simple, though—we aren’t trying to bake a cake here, we’re making functional treats!

If you want to swap out the pumpkin—maybe your dog just isn’t into it—you can easily use other dog-safe purees in that quarter-cup slot. Unsweetened applesauce works great for texture, or even plain mashed sweet potato works wonders! It just adds a little extra something for them to chew on.

For joint support, I sometimes like adding a tiny pinch more of turmeric, or I might look at incorporating something that focuses on inflammation. If you want to dive deeper into inflammation-fighting ingredients, I highly suggest checking out my recipe for Chicken and Turmeric Anti-Inflammatory Jerky—it uses similar spices!

One other tiny, fun variation is changing up the broth base. If you don’t have beef broth on hand, chicken broth works just as well! The nutritional profile shifts slightly, but you still get all that wonderful collagen we want for those seniors. Just make sure whatever broth you use is low-sodium or homemade with no added salt.

You could even try infusing the liquid differently before you add the gelatin. Maybe add a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary to the warming broth just to soak up the flavor, making sure you strain it out before adding the gelatin. It just adds a little gourmet touch to their daily dose of support!

Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies

I know that whipping up new homemade treats can sometimes bring up a ton of questions, especially when you’re focusing on joint health for your older pup! Don’t worry; I’ve tried to cover the main things people ask me about these soft gummies over several batches.

Can I substitute the beef bone broth in this Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies recipe?

Yes, absolutely! Beef broth is my go-to because it usually has a wonderful richness of collagen, but chicken or turkey broth works just as well if that’s what you have on hand. The main thing is that you want a good quality broth that is low in sodium. Just know that if you swap from beef broth, the nutritional profile may shift slightly, but the gummy structure will hold up fine!

What is the shelf life of these homemade soft gummies?

Because these are made with actual broth and are kept moist, they need to stay cold. You should store your Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator. If you’ve made them firm enough, they last great for about two weeks. If you find they start getting a little sticky or weeping moisture before the two weeks are up, toss them, and make a fresh batch!

Another question I get a lot is about puppies. While the ingredients are all dog-safe, these are formulated specifically for older dogs needing that joint TLC, so I really suggest using this recipe only for your seniors. For other healthy additions you can sneak into their diet, you might want to look at my Salmon and Spinach Omega Jerky recipe, which is really great for overall coat and skin health!

Estimated Nutritional Snapshot of Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies

I always like to give everyone a heads-up on what’s in these little powerhouses, even though the exact numbers can shift a bit depending on your broth.

Remember, these estimates are per single gummy, so your dog gets a tiny dose of goodness without worrying about excess calories. Since we’re using very simple, whole ingredients, you’ll notice we have zero added sugar, which is a huge win for our senior friends!

Serving Size: 1 gummy
Calories: 15
Sugar: 0
Protein: 1g
Total Fat: 0.5g

Just keep in mind that because we are using broth, there will be a small amount of naturally occurring sodium, but it’s very minimal. These are meant to be a supplement treat, not a full meal replacement, so always account for that when you’re counting!

Share Your Experience Making Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies

Okay, now that you’ve made the best, softest, chewiest joint treats your dog has ever tasted, I really, really want to hear about it! Did your old pal give you the happy zoomies when they smelled the bone broth warming up? Tell me everything!

Did you use molds or cut them into squares? Sometimes the mold shapes look really cute, but honestly, slabbing them onto parchment and cutting squares is just so much faster, in my opinion. Let me know what workflow you decided on when you made this batch of Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies.

If you loved how easy these were and how much your dog is enjoying the improved mobility support, please take a second to zoom back up and leave a star rating! That helps other people who are worried about their aging companions find this recipe.

If you tried a variation—maybe you went heavy on the ginger or used chicken broth instead—please share your results in the comments below! I’m always looking for ways to build on this foundation. And if you run into any trouble at all, or just want to share a picture of your happy senior enjoying one, you can always get in touch with me directly through the contact page!

Senior Dog Bone Broth Soft Gummies

Author: dogtf.com
Total Time: 4 hr 20 min
Yield: Approximately 40 small gummies 1x
Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

Description

Soft, chewy gummies made with bone broth for senior dog joint support.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup beef bone broth, cooled
1/2 cup water
4 tablespoons unflavored gelatin powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup pumpkin puree (optional, for texture)

Instructions

Pour the cooled bone broth and water into a small saucepan.
Sprinkle the gelatin powder evenly over the liquid. Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom.
Place the saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Do not boil the mixture.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the turmeric powder, ground ginger, and pumpkin puree until completely combined.
Pour the mixture into silicone gummy molds or a shallow, parchment-lined baking dish.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until completely firm.
Cut the mixture into small squares if using a baking dish, or pop the gummies out of the molds.
Store the gummies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Notes

Adjust the amount of gelatin slightly if you prefer a firmer or softer gummy texture.
If your dog does not like the taste of ginger, you can omit it.
Always introduce new treats slowly to your dog’s diet.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 5 min
Category: Dog Treat
Method: Chilling
Cuisine: Pet Food

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 gummy
Calories: 15
Sugar: 0
Sodium: 10
Fat: 0.5
Saturated Fat: 0.2
Unsaturated Fat: 0.3
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 2
Fiber: 0.1
Protein: 1
Cholesterol: 5

Keywords: senior dog, bone broth, soft gummies, joint support, dog treats, gelatin