Today, Louie went to the vet for his 10-in-1 vaccination. Just like last year, he seemed unusually quiet afterward and showed little interest in food. Seeing this reaction again made me a bit concerned, so I prepared something gentle that he truly enjoys.
This time, I made a milk jelly dog treat using lactose-free milk. It’s a very simple recipe, but I wanted to share the process in case it helps other dog parents looking for a soft, easy-to-eat homemade snack.
1. Ingredients
Water 20 ml
Lactose-free low-fat milk 200 ml
Agar powder 2 g
Carob powder 0.5–1 g
Other tools
Milk pan
Silicone molds
Note
This dog milk jelly sets quickly, so it’s best to measure all ingredients in advance before starting.
2. Agar Base
First, mix 2 g of agar powder with 20 ml of water until fully dissolved. Agar dissolves quickly, so you can also heat it gently right away.
Add 200 ml of lactose-free low-fat milk to a pan and slowly pour in the dissolved agar while stirring. Heat over medium-low heat, continuing to mix.
The milk can be used directly from the refrigerator.
3. Pouring the Base
Pour 100 ml of the milk-and-agar mixture into the silicone molds.
4. Mixing Additional Ingredients
Add 0.5–1 g of carob powder to the remaining 100 ml of the milk mixture and stir well.
Pour this mixture into the molds on top of the first layer.
It doesn’t need to look perfect. Once the jelly sets, uneven edges can easily be trimmed.
5. Finished Jelly
Because I was in a hurry, I didn’t strain the powder, so the surface looks a bit rough.
Since this recipe contains milk, it’s important to know the capacity of your molds.
Louie weighs 3.04 kg, and his daily lactose-free milk intake is about 50–100 ml.
For reference, the large bear mold holds about 20 ml, the small bear about 10 ml, and the mini shape around 3 ml. This makes portion control much easier.
Do not prepare large batches at once. Store only 2–3 days’ worth in the refrigerator.
Reflections
There are many good store-bought dog treats available, but making treats at home has its own value. Watching your dog sit patiently, wagging their tail while waiting, is rewarding in itself.
I earned a pet food stylist certification to prepare better treats for Louie, and I continue to study canine nutrition, especially the relationship between food and urinary stones. Whenever possible, I choose ingredients that may help reduce the risk.
I hope this simple milk jelly recipe encourages you to try making gentle homemade treats for your dog.