Bone Broth for Dogs

By Brita Britnell // July 10, 2023 (updated September 4, 2024)

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Learn how to make Bone Broth for Dogs with this easy homemade recipe! Your fur baby will love it! Plus, it’s a great way to add extra nutrition to their diet without spending a fortune on a raw diet.

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Making bone broth for dogs is a great way to boost your pet’s meals with lots of great nutrition and a flavor they will love. A combination of veggies, fruits and bones are conveniently slow cooked in a Crockpot. This simple recipe is budget-friendly and filled with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and collagen.

We like to keep a container of this in the fridge for the week and freeze the rest to use throughout the month. Bosco goes crazy for bone broth! I either drizzle some over his food or just give him a bowl of the broth to drink straight from the bowl.

2 large mason jars of bone broth for dogs

Keep scrolling to learn how to make bone broth with my easy-to-follow instructions, tips, and answers to all your bone broth frequently asked questions.

Looking for more dog-friendly recipes? You have got to try the very popular dog ice cream, fall-inspired pumpkin dog treats and don’t miss this dog birthday cake to celebrate your puppy!

Ingredients you’ll need

This easy bone broth for dogs recipe is made with common, wholesome ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

Carrots and sweet potato: Both infuse this broth with a natural sweetness and many vitamins.
Celery sticks: Adds a savory note and also includes nutrients.
Blueberries: These are a dog-safe fruit and they’re great because they’re packed with antioxidants.
Apple cider vinegar: Raw apple cider vinegar works to extract more minerals from the bone.
Soup bones: I use collagen-rich beef bones for a deeply savory broth. The collagen in these offer lots of health benefits. You can find them at most grocery stores.

Variations and substitutions

Assorted bones: Try using different bones like chicken feet, turkey carcass and beef marrow bones for a rich gelatin.
Different vegetables: Experiment with an assortment of veggies, just be sure to do a little research and ensure whatever you’re adding in is safe for dogs. For example, garlic and onions, are toxic to dogs.
Different fruits: Dogs can safely eat apples (remove the seeds and core), cantaloupe, cranberries, mango, oranges, peaches (not the pit), pears (remove the seeds and core), strawberries and raspberries.

How to make bone broth for dogs

Using your slow cooker for making bone broth is perfect because the long cook time allows the bones to break down and release valuable nutrients. Here is how simple this recipe is to make:

Add ingredients: In a slow cooker, combine 2-4 chopped carrots, 2-4 chopped sticks of celery, one sweet potato, 1/2 cup blueberries, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 3-4 soup bones and then fill it up with water.
Slow cook: Turn your slow cooker to low and cook for 10 hours.

Helpful tips

Use veggie scraps: When preparing meals for your family, keep dog-safe veggie scraps on-hand for making dog bone broth. Collect things like carrot ends and peels, apple peels, celery tops and more. Freeze them along with bone scraps you might have to create a more sustainable broth.
Use an array of bones: Change up the bones from time to time when making this for a well-rounded variety of nutrients.
Strain the bone broth: It’s a good idea to strain the broth to remove any bone fragments before giving it to your pup to prevent the risk of your dog accidentally ingesting them.
Make ahead: This recipe makes a large amount. I like to keep one container in the fridge for the week and freeze the rest to use throughout the month.
Reuse the bones: If after cooking there is still marrow left on the bone, you can refreeze the bones and use them 2-3 more times. They also make great treats for your dog, even straight out of the freezer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give my dog store-bought bone broth?

Possibly, but bone broth that’s made for human consumption usually contains garlic and onions, which are toxic to dogs. Other risky ingredients that may be in the bone broth bought at the store are salt, spices, and preservatives. If you are going to feed your dog bone broth from the store, opt for organic bone broth and closely read the label to ensure it’s dog-safe.

How to add bone broth to dog food?

Scrape the fat off the top of the gelatinized broth, and pour 1/4-1/2 cup or more (depending on your dog’s weight) over your dog’s food at mealtimes or serve it alone as a nutritious snack. Dogs can have 1/4 cup, or four tablespoons, per 20 pounds per day.

Can I add herbs to bone broth for dogs?

Yes, in fact they can have great nutrients. Just be sure to use dog-safe herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, rosemary, turmeric and ginger.

Storage recommendations

Storing in the refrigerator: Once cooled to room temperature, ladle out as much as you think can be used over the course of about 5 to 7 days, and store that amount in an airtight storage container in the fridge.
Storing in the freezer: Freeze cooled bone broth in a large freezer-safe container or bag. Or, if you want to be able to thaw smaller servings, transfer to individual-sized containers or bags. You can safely freeze bone broth for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date.

As usual, PLEASE let me know if you make this recipe and how you like it! You can come back here and leave a comment and/or tag me on instagram (@foodwithfeeling).