Learn how to make Bone Broth for Dogs with this simple, homemade recipe. It’s an affordable way to add extra nutrition and flavor to your dog’s meals. This slow-cooked broth is rich in collagen, minerals and antioxidants—perfect for boosting hydration and supporting joint and gut health.
Bone broth for dogs is easy to prepare and can be made in large batches. Vegetables, fruit and bones simmer slowly in a crockpot to extract nutrients and develop savory flavor. This budget-friendly recipe yields broth you can refrigerate for a week and freeze in portions for longer storage. Serve it drizzled over kibble, mixed into homemade meals, or as a nourishing snack on its own.
Scroll down for step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, safe ingredient swaps, storage guidance and answers to common questions about making bone broth for dogs.
Ingredients you’ll need
This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients you can find at most grocery stores. The quantities are flexible depending on how much broth you want to make.
- Carrots and sweet potato: Add natural sweetness and vitamins.
- Celery sticks: Contributes savory flavor and nutrients.
- Blueberries: A dog-safe fruit high in antioxidants that complements the flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar: Helps draw minerals out of the bones during long cooking.
- Soup bones: Collagen-rich beef bones (or other animal bones) provide gelatin and depth of flavor.
- Water: Enough to cover the ingredients in the slow cooker.
Variations and substitutions
- Assorted bones: Use chicken feet, turkey carcass or beef marrow bones to vary the gelatin and nutrient profile.
- Different vegetables: Many dog-safe vegetables work well—just avoid garlic, onions and other known toxins. Always double-check any new ingredient before adding it to a batch for your pet.
- Different fruits: Safe options include apples (remove seeds and core), cantaloupe, cranberries, mango, oranges, peaches (no pits), pears (no seeds), strawberries and raspberries. Keep fruit amounts modest to avoid extra sugar.
How to make bone broth for dogs
Using a slow cooker makes this recipe hands-off. The long, low temperature extracts collagen, minerals and flavor from the bones while gently softening vegetables.
- Add ingredients: Place 2–4 chopped carrots, 2–4 chopped celery sticks, one medium sweet potato (roughly chopped), ½ cup blueberries, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 3–4 medium soup bones in a slow cooker. Fill with water to cover the ingredients.
- Slow cook: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for around 10 hours. Longer cooking (up to 24 hours on low) can extract more collagen, but 10 hours is sufficient for a flavorful, nutritious broth.
- Strain and cool: Once cooked, strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve to remove vegetable pieces and any bone fragments. Allow the liquid to cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing.
Helpful tips
- Use veggie scraps: Save dog-safe scraps like carrot peels, apple peels and celery tops in the freezer to add to future batches. This reduces waste and boosts flavor.
- Rotate bones: Varying the bones you use—chicken, turkey, beef—creates a broader range of nutrients over time.
- Strain carefully: Always strain thoroughly to remove small bone fragments that could be hazardous to your dog.
- Portion and freeze: Freeze in individual or meal-sized portions for easy thawing. Ice cube trays or small containers work well for single servings.
- Reuse bones: If marrow remains after the first cook, bones can often be reused two to three times. After reuse, discard responsibly.
Frequently asked questions
Some store-bought broths contain garlic, onions, excess salt, spices or preservatives that are unsafe for dogs. If using a commercial product, read labels carefully and choose a plain, low-sodium option free of onion and garlic. Homemade broth gives you full control over ingredients.
A common guideline is about 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) per 20 pounds of body weight per day, though amounts can be adjusted based on your dog’s size and dietary needs. Start with a small amount to ensure tolerance and consult your veterinarian if you have concerns.
Yes—many dog-safe herbs add flavor and nutrients. Consider small amounts of oregano, basil, parsley, rosemary, turmeric or ginger. Avoid herbs that are toxic or unfamiliar without checking their safety first.
Storage recommendations
- Refrigerator: Cool the broth to room temperature, then store the portion you expect to use within 5–7 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Freezer: Freeze extra broth in large or individual-sized containers. Properly stored, bone broth will keep for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date for easy rotation.
If you try this recipe, note how your dog likes it and adjust ingredients as needed for taste and tolerance. Homemade bone broth is an inexpensive, flexible way to enhance your pet’s meals with extra hydration and nutrition.
Bone Broth for Dogs
A straightforward, slow-cooked bone broth recipe that adds collagen, minerals and flavor to your dog’s meals. Easy to make in a slow cooker and simple to store.
Ingredients
- 2–4 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2–4 celery sticks, roughly chopped
- 1 medium sweet potato, roughly chopped
- ½ cup blueberries
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3–4 medium soup bones (beef or other)
- Water to cover
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and add enough water to cover.
- Slow cook on low for about 10 hours (longer if desired for more gelatin).
- Strain the broth to remove solids and bone fragments, then cool before refrigerating or freezing.
- Portion and store: refrigerate what you’ll use within a week and freeze the rest for up to three months.
Notes
- Once cooled, refrigerate up to 5–7 days.
- Freeze in portions for up to 3 months; label containers with the date.