“A pennyworth of broth is better than a pound of meat.”
– Old English proverb
“Good broth will resurrect the dead.”
– Old South American proverb
Bone broth is a powerhouse superfood for dogs, perfect for boosting immunity, aiding recovery from illness, or keeping active pups in top shape. Even picky or sick dogs that turn their noses up at food will often lap up a warm bowl of broth. You can drizzle it over kibble to entice eating or serve it solo as a nutrient-packed treat. Here’s why bone broth is a game-changer for your dog and how to make it safely.
Why Bone Broth is Great for Dogs
Bone broth is loaded with easily absorbed minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium, which support strong bones and overall health. It’s rich in amino acids like glycine and proline, which promote calm behaviour and healthy digestion. The collagen and gelatin from bones help repair the gut lining, improve nutrient absorption, and reduce inflammation—perfect for dogs with arthritis, leaky gut, or joint pain. Marrow supports healthy blood cells and immune development, making broth a go-to during flu season or recovery from illness. Plus, gelatin strengthens fur, skin, and nails, keeping your dog looking and feeling great.
Best of all, it’s budget-friendly! All you need are quality bones, a splash of vinegar, and time.
Key Ingredients
Apple Cider Vinegar: 2-4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar helps leach minerals from bones, maximising the broth’s benefits. It’s also antibacterial, antifungal, and great for digestion, coat health, and deterring parasites like fleas. Use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar for the best results.
Organic Bones: Choose raw chicken, pork, or beef bones—meaty marrow bones are ideal. If possible, opt for organic or grass-fed beef bones, which are higher in Omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), vitamin E, vitamin A, and antioxidants. Grass-fed bones are anti-inflammatory and less likely to contain hormones or antibiotics. Outdoor-raised pork bones have a better Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio. If organic isn’t an option, local butchers or pet stores often carry safe, raw bones—just ensure they’re fresh and unseasoned.
Important Health Notes
Bone broth is fantastic for most dogs, but it’s not for everyone. The high fat content can be tough on dogs with pancreatitis, liver disease, or fat sensitivities. Consult your vet before offering broth to dogs with these conditions or those on low-fat diets. Introduce broth gradually to avoid tummy upset, starting with small amounts (e.g., 1-2 tbsp per 10kg body weight daily). Check for allergies to specific bones (e.g., chicken).
How to Serve Bone Broth
- Puppies/Small Dogs: 1-2 tbsp daily, mixed with food or as a treat.
- Medium Dogs (10-25kg): 2-4 tbsp daily.
- Large Dogs (25kg+): 4-8 tbsp daily.
Adjust based on your dog’s needs and activity level. Broth is great for:
- Sick Dogs: Encourages eating and hydrates during recovery.
- Senior Dogs: Eases joint pain and supports mobility.
- Active Dogs: Replenishes minerals and supports muscle repair.
- Leaky Gut: Soothes and repairs the digestive tract.
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Cooking Methods
I use my Instant Pot but any stove top pressure cooker is just as fast. You know it’s ready when the bones start to soften and get crumbly/chalky.
- Pressure cooker = 4 hours
- Slow cooker = 12-24 hours
- Stovetop = 6-12 hours
Once cooked discard the bones, it’s just the broth you want. Dogs should never be fed cooked bones.
Storage Tips
Bone broth stays fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. Freeze it in small portions (ice cube trays work great!) for up to 6 months. Thaw only what you need to keep it fresh and safe.
Ingredients
- 1kg raw bones (chicken, pork, or beef; organic/grass-fed preferred)
- 2-4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- Water to cover bones
METHOD
frozen bones
I have a kilo bag of frozen organic grass fed beef bones
organic beef bones
I don’t need to thaw, I’m just gonna chuck ’em in the pot.
bones in a pot no water
So add the bones to your pot or pressure cooker
bones in a pot
Then fill pot to just cover the bones, I used about 3 litres. Add 2-4 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar
pressure cooker
I’m using my pressure cooker. It doesnt set to 4 hours so I will do it for 2 hours twice over. If using the stove or slow cooker then simmer between 8-24 hours – topping up with water when needed.
cooked bone broth
4 hours later and it’s done. Smells amazing! My dogs know something smells good!
dog sitting nice for treat
“oh jeez… that smells so good, can I get some? I’m sitting ever so nice, I am”
bone broth in a dog bowl
Yummy, I add the fresh broth to a bowl and leave to cool. You can fridge it for a few days or just chuck in a freezer for whenever!
flo drinking broth
OK Flo you can have some since you’re such a good girl, yes you are!
Mine smells very much like vinegar could only get beef bones from butchers also been on for at least 15hrs and it’s very watery if I add gelatin to thicken it how much do you add .
Do my beef bones start to crumble when it’s done
Do you put salt?
No salt, no. Dogs don’t do salt well.
Hi there! I have made bone broth twice now (before I found your recipe). I read somewhere that when cooled it goes like jelly, but mine never has … just liquid! Is this correct and if not what am I doing wrong please? I have been putting beef marrow bones, plus turkey necks, cider vinegar and just cover the bones plus about an inch of water. slow cooker for 24 hours. If I can get bones at the store this week I will try again using your recipe but just wondered is it supposed to be jelly like?
Depends but not usually. It’s the gelatine that makes it set. Marrow bones wont set, but you could try using whole pig trotters they have tons of gelatine. Check out my pig trotter brawn. But broth is generally liquid. It you want it to set you could add some gelatine from the supermarket.
made it but it smelled kind like rear end… i think that was too much applecider vinegar. Will put less next time. The whole family thinks it smells awful in the house!
lol, just a little vinegar to extract the goodness from the bones. Also makes amazing stock for soup
Why do you say do not feed crumbled bones? In the case of chicken bones after 15 hours in the slow cooker they disintegrate in your hands and mashed up they resemble mushroom pate with a very chicken-y smell and taste. Thank you for your advice!
Hi Marilyn, it’s just to make sure no one feeds their dogs bones that are cooked, brittle and shard when broken.
hi, would I be able to grind the bones and feed to my dog as a calcium supplement? Or is it useless after it’s been instapotted (I made that a verb, ha!) for 12 hours?
Hi What age can I start giving my puppy this broth? He is currently 12 weeks and I think this recipe sounds ideal for a growing dog, but, I don’t want to give it too soon.
Can you recommend best recipes for my Charlie G (a Yorkiepoo) that are home cooked, I hate the thought of only giving him tinned food and kibble.
Thank you
Michelle
Bone broth is good for any age. There are recipes on here for dogs that would suit your Charlie.
Absolutely agree with your post about hating the thought of feeding your canine baby only store bought food.I have a jack-shitz (Jack Russell/shitzu mix) and I’ve already made most of the recipes on here..Jelly babies today as my silicone emoji face moulds have finally arrived.Have to see how Coco & her bff Daisy like these!!
Hi, Thanks so much for the recipe I’ll definitely make this from now on. Once the broth is frozen is there a special way to defrost it? Do you need to fridge what you need the night before, or can you microwave it from frozen? Thanks very much
Just defrost naturally, put in fridge what you can use in a few days.
How much broth should you give your dog at a time?
Hi my dog has inflammatory bowel disease she is only two she cannot eat chicken beef or pork as she just throws them straight back up currently on vension dog food free of grains and wheat but is going straight through her and weights is just dropping off her we have tried other foods as well but i want to make her food myself would it be ok to use lamb hearts and bones etc instead also would rabbit be nutritional.
Yeah, rabbit, venison, lamb is all good. Duck is good too. Are you sure she is allergic to beef, chicken & pork rather than the preservatives used on those meats? I know some dogs who have allergies to beef but it’s actually the preservatives they are allergic too and not the meat.
Fridge for a few days or freezer for longer.