Is Bone Broth Good for Dogs?

Have you heard of the health benefits of using bone broth? Maybe you’ve heard its benefits, but wonder if bone broth good for dogs?

Bone broth is simply a liquid boiled using bones from chicken, turkey or beef in water and apple cider. Bone broth recipes are easily made with an instant pot, crock pot or stove top.

Once it’s cooked, the result is a tasty liquid, that’s delicious on its own, but also makes a wonderful and nutritious addition to your dog’s kibble or homemade dog food.

Nutrition is one of the major reasons that not only people, but dogs should consume bone broth regularly. Of course dog’s also find it delicious, but more on that in a minute.

The key to the nutritional benefits comes from boiling for a long period which causes the bones to leach many nutrients, minerals and things that are good for dogs, like glucosamine and collagen.

It’s not only good for you, but your dog’s immune system. Remember grandma making a big ole pot of chicken soup when you’d get sick? Even for a dog, the same principal is at work here.

Think of delicious bone broth as a more concentrated version of Grandma’s healing soup for your dog.

How Do You Make Bone Broth for Dogs?

Bone broth is the liquid from boiling bones in water for several hours. It’s nutritional value, is full of minerals and can help boost your dog’s immune system.

It’s also tasty and makes a wonderful base for your dog’s kibble or homemade dog food. The quickest and easiest way to make bone broth is to start with a cooked chicken.

Once it’s cooked, pull the cooked meat off the chicken. You can serve the chicken for yourself or it makes a sumptuous meal to share with your dog.

Using a crock pot or an instant pot, place the remaining bones and any remaining bits and pieces of meat into a large pot that has a lid. Fill it with cold water. The more water you add, the more broth you’ll get.

Next, you’ll add a good splash of apple cider vinegar to the pot. This step can be optional, but I find it tastes better with some apple cider vinegar.

If you don’t have the vinegar in your pantry, don’t worry about it.

While the vinegar helps get all the minerals out of the bones and into the broth, if you don’t have it, don’t worry about it. Your broth will be just as tasty and good for you without it.

Cover your pot with a lid and set your crock pot or instant pot on high heat.

Your bone broth will need to cook for a minimum of 12 hours. Although, if you can leave it to cook for 48 to 72 hours, that’s better.

It's always best to start your bone broth in the morning on a day when you’ll be home. Simmer it all day and if in a crock pot all night.

The broth will be tasty after a few hours of simmering, but gets better with more time.

After it’s cooked for a minimum of 12 hours, you can use it.

However, it’s best to leave your bone broth simmering for at least 48 to 72 hours.

It will be a delicious treat for your dog.

How much Bone Broth can I give my dog?

Once your bone broth has finished cooking, place it into freezer safe bags. You can freeze Bone broth for several months in a freezer.

Another option is to freeze bone broth in ice cube trays to be fed to your dog later. There are even some fun paw print or dog face ice cube trays.

Keep your bone broth frozen until you’re ready to use it.

Then move it into the refrigerator to thaw. You can keep thawed bone broth for dogs up to 10 days in a fridge.

Bone Broth Serving Suggestions for your Dogs:

► For dogs under 20 pounds, serve them only 1 ounce of bone broth a day.

▶For dogs 20-40 lbs, serve them only 2 ounces of bone broth a day.

▶ For dogs 50-80 lbs, serve them up to 4 ounces of bone broth a day.

▶ For dogs 80+ lbs, you can feed them up to 6 ounces of bone broth a day.

You should always check with your veterinarian for your specific dog before starting bone broth.

3 ways to serve your dog bone broth

Serve it as a "topper"

By adding a small amount of bone broth to your dog’s kibble or homemade dog food, you’ll be upping the nutritional value of their dog food.

Adding to your dog’s kibble or homemade dog food will help with your dog’s digestions, hydration, and plain ole taste of dog kibble.

Once the broth’s defrosted, pour into your dog’s bowl during mealtimes. Adding this to your dog’s kibble or homemade dog food will give them a boost for their gut and joint support.

Serve it "as-is"

This is one of the easiest ways to serve your dog’s bone broth.

All you have to do is take the bone broth from the freezer, and place it into their bowl until defrosted.

Serve it as "ice cube’s"

If you’ve frozen them into ice cube trays, simply remove a block and give it to your dog. My dogs love them!

Especially on hot summer days, your dogs will love bone broth cubes.

Absolutely!

While bone broth should not be used as a meal replacement or the only meal, it provides a beneficial and nutritious benefit to your dog's regular feeding schedule.

Bone broth can compliment their normal diet and should only be combined with a healthy diet of dog kibble or homemade dog food.

You can easily share your bone broth for yourself and your dog. Want to make bone broth for your dog? Here are directions for making bone broth for your dogs.