Make Bone Broth for Dogs: How to make bone broth for dogs the Vet-Approved Easy Recipe!

The rich, savory aroma of simmering bone broth for dogs fills your kitchen as you prepare one of nature’s most nourishing treats. This veterinarian-approved bone broth recipe delivers essential nutrients, supports joint health, and creates an irresistible meal topper your furry friend will absolutely love.

Ingredients List

• 2-3 pounds raw beef bones (knuckle bones, marrow bones, or oxtail)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 12 cups filtered water
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 sweet potato, cubed
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Dog-Safe Substitutions:

• Replace beef bones with chicken bones or turkey necks for lighter flavor
• Substitute sweet potato with pumpkin or butternut squash for digestive benefits

Timing

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-24 hours
• Total Time: 12+ hours
• Yield: Approximately 8-10 cups

How to Make It

1. Prepare the Bones

Place raw bones in your slow cooker or large stockpot. Add apple cider vinegar and let sit for 30 minutes. This acidic environment helps extract minerals from the bones, creating nutrient-dense canine bone broth.

2. Add Water and Vegetables

Pour filtered water over bones until completely covered by 2 inches. Add chopped carrots, celery, and sweet potato. These vegetables contribute vitamins and natural flavor without harmful additives found in commercial broths.

3. Begin the Slow Cooking Process

Set your slow cooker to low heat or bring stockpot to a gentle simmer. The key to perfect homemade dog bone broth lies in maintaining consistent, low temperature. You’ll notice foam rising to the surface during the first hour.

4. Skim and Season

Remove foam with a ladle for clearer broth. Add fresh parsley during the final hour of cooking. Avoid salt, onions, garlic, or any seasonings toxic to dogs. The natural flavors from bones and vegetables create plenty of taste.

5. Monitor and Maintain

Cook for minimum 12 hours, though 24 hours produces richer results. Check periodically to ensure bones remain covered with water. Add more filtered water if needed to prevent burning.

6. Strain and Cool

Remove all bones and vegetables using a fine-mesh strainer. Allow the liquid to cool completely before refrigerating. Properly made bone broth for dogs will develop a gelatinous consistency when chilled, indicating successful collagen extraction.

7. Storage and Portioning

Refrigerate for up to one week or freeze in ice cube trays for convenient portioning. Each cube provides perfect single-serving sizes for easy meal enhancement.

Nutritional Info & Serving

Each quarter-cup serving of this nutritious bone broth contains approximately 15-20 calories, plus collagen, glucosamine, and essential amino acids supporting joint health and digestion. Serve warm over dry kibble, freeze in Kong toys for enrichment, or offer as a hydrating treat. Start with small amounts to ensure your dog tolerates this new addition well.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Never use cooked bones, which can splinter and cause serious injury. Avoid adding onions, garlic, or excessive salt, as these ingredients are toxic to dogs. Don’t rush the process by using high heat, which breaks down nutrients and creates cloudy broth. Always strain thoroughly to remove all bone fragments before serving. Check out our complete recipe or guide collection for more safe preparation tips.

Conclusion

This veterinarian-approved bone broth recipe transforms simple ingredients into liquid gold for your dog’s health. Watch your pup’s excitement as you pour this aromatic, nutrient-packed treat over their regular meals.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought bone broth for my dog?
Most commercial broths contain sodium, onions, and garlic that are harmful to dogs. Always choose unsalted, onion-free varieties or make your own.

How long does homemade dog bone broth last?
Refrigerated broth stays fresh for 5-7 days, while frozen portions last up to 6 months in proper containers.

What bones are safest for making dog bone broth?
Raw beef knuckle bones, marrow bones, and chicken necks work best. Never use cooked bones, which become brittle and dangerous.

How much bone broth should I give my dog daily?
Start with 1-2 tablespoons for small dogs, up to 1/4 cup for larger breeds, gradually increasing as tolerated.

Can puppies drink bone broth?
Yes, bone broth is safe for puppies over 8 weeks old. Introduce slowly with smaller portions to avoid digestive upset.

Does bone broth help with picky eaters?
Absolutely! The rich aroma and flavor make dry kibble more appealing to finicky dogs. For more feeding tips, explore our Pinterest boards for additional inspiration.

Bone Broth for Dogs

A veterinarian-approved bone broth recipe that delivers essential nutrients, supports joint health, and creates an irresistible meal topper for dogs.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Calories: 15

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds raw beef bones (knuckle bones, marrow bones, or oxtail)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 12 cups filtered water
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 sweet potato, cubed
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Method

 

Cooking Steps

1. Place raw bones in your slow cooker or large stockpot. Add apple cider vinegar and let sit for 30 minutes. This acidic environment helps extract minerals from the bones.
2. Pour filtered water over bones until completely covered by 2 inches. Add chopped carrots, celery, and sweet potato.
3. Set your slow cooker to low heat or bring stockpot to a gentle simmer. Maintain consistent, low temperature.
4. Remove foam that rises to the surface with a ladle during the first hour for clearer broth. Add fresh parsley during the final hour of cooking.
5. Cook for minimum 12 hours, though 24 hours produces richer results. Check periodically to ensure bones remain covered with water, adding more filtered water if needed.
6. Remove all bones and vegetables using a fine-mesh strainer. Allow the liquid to cool completely before refrigerating.
7. Refrigerate for up to one week or freeze in ice cube trays for convenient portioning.

Notes

Never use cooked bones which can splinter. Avoid onions, garlic, or salt as these are toxic to dogs. Don't rush with high heat. Always strain thoroughly to remove bone fragments. Properly made broth will develop gelatinous consistency when chilled. Store refrigerated for up to one week or freeze in ice cube trays for convenient portioning. Start with small amounts to ensure dog tolerates well. Refrigerated broth lasts 5-7 days, frozen portions last up to 6 months.