Fun and safe ways to include your pooch in all the Halloween fun!
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Halloween is coming soon and just like every holiday we want you to include everyone in the family in the fun!! Here are a few things you can do this Halloween to make sure your fur baby doesn't feel left out!!
1. MAKE THEM TREATS
Make them some Halloween theme treats so you don't have to watch them give you the sad puppy look while you enjoys candy, cookies, and other Halloween treats. Remember candy is not good for dogs so NEVER give them any no matter how cute they look begging. Here is a really fun and family friendly recipe that I'm sure your pup will be happy with!
Halloween Gummy Dog Treats
This recipe courtesy of Dalmatian DIY will be sure to creep you out!
1 cup cool homemade (or ready-made unsalted unseasoned) chicken stock
3.5 tbsp. quality powdered gelatin
Natural tinting ingredients for the colorings. I used the following:
Spirulina powder (pupil)
Beetroot powder (pupil and red irises)
Turmeric powder (yellow irises)
Yogurt, kefir, or other milky add-in (white)
I usually work with 3tbsp of gelatin powder to 1 cup of liquid, but I used a little extra gelatin powder in my mixture here to make sure that my eyeballs set to firm even after adding a generous spoonful of thick-set-yogurt for the white part of the eyes. See the tips and tricks below for other ideas.
Making the Layered Gelatin Eyeball Gummy Treats:
My eyeball gummies were made by preparing a single base and splitting it for use in three layers. For the small quantities of base used in the pupil and irises, this was more efficient than preparing gelatin for each of the the layers separately. If you’d prefer truer colors or whiter whites (stock is slightly yellow-ish) you can split the prep instead.
If you aren’t confident bout eyeballing (hehehe…) quantities for each layer, you can have a spare pan at the ready for any leftovers. I used my mini bone pan to scrape the last of the prepared mixtures to as I layered my eyeballs.
Preparing the gelatin base mixture:
Optional: pre-chill your mold(s) while preparing the base to help your first layers set faster.
Measure the 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.
Reduce heat, but keep warm enough not to gel.
Preparing the pupil dot layer:
Mix a small spoonful of the prepared liquefied gelatin with a small amount of beetroot and spirulina powders (or other tints as to your preferences) into a suitable container. Check your tint and adjust if/as needed to suit your preferences. It won’t be true black, but it will be close enough to look the part.
Carefully drip one drop into the center of each of your eyeballs.
Chill to set while you prepare the next layer.
Preparing the iris layers:
I used turmeric (yellow) and beetroot (red) for my spooky Halloween monster eyeballs, but you can use any tints you like. Note of caution on beetroot and its tendency to leech into its neighboring layers. What ever colors and flavors you choose, I’d suggest aiming for contrast, if possible. The pupil dots were much clearer on the yellow than the dark red in my eyeball treats.
In a suitable container, mix a small spoonful of the prepared liquefied gelatin with a small amount of your chosen tint to dissolve/mix with minimal lumps and clumps. Once mixed, add additional gelatin and stir to thoroughly combine. If using multiple colors, repeat this process using separate containers.
Check that your existing pupil layer is ready for pouring. Wait if/as needed.
When ready, carefully spoon or pour an iris layer over your existing pupil layer.
Chill to set while you prepare the next layer. As noted above, it will need to be added when the this layer has set to a gentle touch so that the liquids don’t mix, but before it has fully set and cured in order to adhere the layers.
Preparing the white eyeball layer:
In a suitable container, mix a spoonful of the prepared liquefied gelatin with your yogurt or kefir. Incrementally add more prepared gelatin to the container, continuing to mixing as you go to minimize lumps and clumps.
Check that your iris layer is sufficiently set and ready for pouring. Wait if/as needed.
When ready, carefully spoon or pour the white layer over your existing layers.
Chill to set thoroughly before removing the gummy treats from the molds.
Gummy Dog Treat Making Tips and Tricks
These treats should be kept refrigerated and can be frozen for longer storage, although freezing can affect consistency.
Recipe and Ingredient Tips and Tricks
My dogs like the smell of plain gelatin and will happily accept plain gummies (gelatin and water), but a little tasty boost of chicken stock never goes astray.
In my experience, 3 tbsp. of gelatin powder per cup of liquid makes firm gummies. If you prefer, you can use more gelatin for added supplementation or less for a jigglier jelly treat with lower gelatin content. Individual gelatin powders may be a little stronger / weaker. Find a ratio that works for your preferences and, of course, your dog.
You can adjust the add-ins to suit your preferences on spooky eyeball colors and your pet’s preferences on scent and flavor. See our post on natural coloring ingredients for dog treats for more color options and ideas.
As a note of caution, when using beetroot power as a gummy tint, I find it tends to bleed over time more than many of my other tints. If using it in a large area or adjacent to a vulnerable color (like the white in these eyeballs), the gummies are best made and enjoyed fresh. The beetroot will start to spread tint into adjacent whites of the eyes. Perhaps even more monstrous, but not quite the look I was aiming for here.
2. HAVE SOME FUN!!!
A fun Halloween game that will include your furry friend will send your zooming zombie straight into a nap. This game will be sure to send your pup into a long nap courtesy of Dogtime.com
This is a fun outdoor game that requires a bit of preparation. Get several large stuffed dog safe toys–preferably Halloween themed ones of a zombie nature–and gut them as best as you can. Once you take out the fluffy stuffing, replace it with doggy treats.
Sew the toys back up with just a few stitches so they are easy to tear open with minimal effort. Release all the pups into the backyard and have them hunt down and tear the zombies limb from limb and enjoy their tasty flesh–erm, treats.
Make sure the toys aren’t made of any substance that’s toxic to dogs, make sure the stuffed animals don’t have parts that the dogs could chew on, and keep an eye on the dogs so they don’t swallow the toy itself. If you have a dog who might eat the whole toy, best not to play this game.
This game is better for some doggy personalities than others, and you know your dog’s personality better than anyone else. So you know if it’s a bad idea. Trust your instincts.
3. DRESS THEM UP!!
Grab them the most adorable costume you can find and take them trick-or-treating or just for a nice stroll around the neighborhood if they do not do well around large crowds!! They will be sure to get your little ones some extra treats in their bags!
Here are some of our top costume picks from amazon that will be sure to make your pooch the talk of the neighborhood!
TOP SELLING AMAZON HALLOWEEN COSTUMES
We hope you can use some of these fun ideas! Be sure to post pictures and tag us @perfectlyposhpets on IG or Perfectly Posh Pets on FB!! Happy Halloween!!
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