Kims K9 Cookies

Not all great businesses start in a boardroom. Some start with a very uncomfortable dog and a very determined owner.

Fifteen years ago, Kimberley Gardner found herself at the vet with a very unhappy dog and a problem that wasn’t going away on its own. The culprit? Impacted anal glands. After surgery and a vet visit that left her with three unglamorous ingredients and a dog who wanted nothing to do with them, Kim did what any resourceful dog mum would do. She baked them into a biscuit, threw in some chicken stock, and crossed her fingers. He loved them. He never went back to the vet for his glands again. And the rest, as they say, is biscuit history.

That one biscuit, baked for one very specific dog problem, is still at the heart of everything Kim makes today.

The Treat That Started It All

At the time, the only product on the market for this issue was shipped in from America. Kim became, as far as anyone knows, the first Australian to tackle the problem head on with something homemade, wholesome, and actually delicious to dogs. Word got around fast at local markets, and what began as a hobby quickly grew into a proper business with a logo so recognisable that people spot it on the back of her jumper and come running.

Doughnuts, Ice Cream and Waffle Bowls For Dogs.

Yes, really. Kim’s range has grown well beyond the original biscuit. There are doughnuts, hemp treats, waffle bowls, and a dog-friendly ice cream that comes in its own little tub. Customers just add water, mix, and freeze. It genuinely looks like a single serve ice cream, which is adorable. She is currently working on serving it in an edible waffle bowl topped with hemp seeds and fresh blueberries, and the test photos from customers are nothing short of impressive.

Come Christmas, she fills advent calendar boxes with mini doughnuts. Bone-shaped advent boards with daily treat surprises are already in the planning stages. Your dog’s festive season is sorted.

It’s Not Just the Treats That Keep Them Coming Back

Every biscuit, doughnut and waffle bowl is made with the same care that started it all fifteen years ago. But there’s a reason regulars become friends, not just customers. Kim is warm, knowledgeable, and refreshingly honest that this has never really been about the money. She freely shares tips on natural ways to support dog health, and even mentors younger market entrepreneurs along the way.

Her dog Maclary, six years old and named after the beloved children’s book character, tags along to markets and reliably steals the show with the kids. He is so popular he has his own Instagram account with nearly 4,000 followers, which honestly puts most humans to shame. If you are not already following him, that is probably worth fixing today.

Oh, and her Bones for Bums treats picked up a 2025 Global Recognition Award. Quietly impressive, just like the business itself.

Find Kim at local Mornington Peninsula markets or visit kimsk9cookies.com.