Best Bone Broth for Dogs

As pet owners, one of our biggest and most important responsibilities is to ensure that we are providing our pets with the best nutrition possible.

After all, you not only want to give your dog something that will appeal to his taste buds, you also want to be sure he’s getting all of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals possible to stay healthy.

One of the best ways to up your dog’s nutritional content, as well as the taste of his food, is by implementing bone broth into his diet.

The truth is, it has just as much benefit for dogs as it does humans!

Why Should Dogs Eat Bone Broth?

Bone broth has a number of health benefits for dogs, and is particularly beneficial as a dietary supplement for elderly dogs or dogs with special medical conditions:

• It’s an excellent source of Glucosamine, an amino sugar that helps maintain healthy joints
• It acts as an anti-inflammatory, something which is particularly beneficial for dogs with arthritis
• It’s a natural source of Collagen, a necessary protein for strong bones, joints, healthy skin and coat
• It provides extra hydration, along with a pleasant taste that encourages picky dogs to eat
• It’s very easy on the stomach and easy to digest. In addition, it helps stimulate appetite

It is, however, important to mention that bone broth is not meant to be the sole source of nutrition for your dog, but rather an addition. So, make sure to provide him with other healthy food sources as well.

Likewise, be very careful about bone broths that contain onions, as these can be toxic to your pet.

Below are our favorite bone broth liquids, powders and treats for dogs.

Best Bone Broth for Dogs

1. Brutus Bone Broth for Dogs

100% natural and made in the USA, this bone broth contains real human-grade ingredients and is enriched with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, so you know your dog is getting the best.

It also has carrots, celery, sweet potato and turmeric for added nutrition, a small amount of sodium, and there are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Also, it comes in chicken and beef flavor, and the carton design allows you to easily pour the broth onto your dog’s food.

As an added bonus, a fraction of the money you spend on the product actually goes towards helping homeless animals!

2. K9 Bone Broth Powder

Manufactured in the USA, think of this bone broth as a concentrated nutrition boost for your dog that can simply be measured and dissolved in warm water.

It’s a great source of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Glycine and Collagen, which means it does everything from promoting joint and bone health to soothing the skin and softening the coat.

This makes it particularly beneficial for dogs with arthritis, as well as allergies.

On top of that, it contains natural ingredients, such as hemp protein and organic turmeric, and the added flora microbes help with general digestive health and appetite control.

3. Merrick Bone Broth

This bone broth is a flavorful, healthy treat for dogs of any age and size. Not only is it human-grade, but it’s also grain-free and gluten-free, meaning less stress about your pup’s dietary restrictions.

It comes in three flavors: beef and cinnamon, chicken and turmeric and turkey and ginger. Each flavor is packed with a unique blend of superfoods to help provide necessary minerals and support joint health.

Additionally, you can get the broth in 7 or 16-ounce packages with easy close tops that prevent any leaks or spills.

4. Native Pet Organic Bone Broth for Dogs

Available in either 6 or 12-ounce containers, this bone broth uses only three ingredients that are completely organic and sourced from the USA: chicken broth, chicken protein and sweet potatoes.

High in Collagen, it helps maintain healthy skin, coat and joints. In addition, there are no by-products, artificial flavors or preservatives, and the taste is highly appealing to most dogs.

Just sprinkle it across the top of dry food for a boost of flavor. If you like, there’s a tasty beef version as well.

5. Nature’s Diet Pet Bone Broth

A kind of superfood for your dog, this bone broth is enhanced with a number of tasty and nutritious ingredients, including turmeric, pumpkin and even fish oil.

This makes it not only a good source of protein and antioxidants, but valuable Omega-3 as well. Plus, all the ingredients are human-grade and made in the USA.

Regardless if your dog likes chicken or beef, all you need to do is measure the powder and add to warm water for a broth that can be poured over food or given on its own.

6. Primalvore Organic Bone Broth

This bone broth is an excellent choice for pet owners with elderly dogs, as it provides Glucosamine and collagen, both of which can greatly reduce the stress put on the joints.

The preservative-free formula has no salt, onion, garlic or other toxic ingredients for pets, and it even includes turmeric to help regulate digestion.

Likewise, the package is BPA-free and very easy to use, simply pour it over your dog’s food and reseal for future use.

You can opt for chicken, beef or both, however, if your dog doesn’t like the taste, it’s possible to ask for a refund within 30 days.

7. Project Paws Bone Broth for Dogs

Unlike traditional bone broths, Project Paws sells their cruelty-free mixture of elk bone and elk antler in the form of a powder.

It’s perfect for sprinkling on top of meals, mixing with wet food or stirring into a spoonful of peanut butter for a tasty and nutritional snack.

While elk may seem like an odd choice for a bone broth, the company ensures that its ingredients will create a noticeable, positive change in your dog’s joint, gut and skin health.

Furthermore, the four-ounce jar includes its own scoop to help measure out the perfect serving size for your fur baby.

8. Solid Gold Bone Broth

BEST PICK

Solid Gold has been in the business of providing dog parents with holistic food options for over 40 years.

Their slow-simmered bone broth sticks closely to the promise of using only a small list of natural ingredients to balance your pup’s diet in a way that is both delicious and healthy.

With a combination of superfoods and naturally occurring collagen, it’s easily digestible and completely human-grade.

Whether you choose the beef with turmeric, chicken with lavender and chamomile or turkey with pumpkin and ginger flavor, your dog is bound to scarf down his dinner with a newfound enthusiasm!

9. The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth

Free from all grains and potatoes, this bone broth is more like a stew, used as a great enhancement to regular dry food.

It’s made from carrots and beef, a simple combination that provides a lot of nutrition, and there are no by-products or anything artificial that may upset your dog’s stomach.

In fact, this USA-based company uses only human-grade, non-GMO ingredients that are safe for pets. Even the box is BPA-free!

Note that this is a 12 pack, with each carton contains approximately two servings, depending on the size of your pup. Besides beef, you can also find chicken and turkey bone broth recipes.

Bonus: Best Bone Broth Treat for Dogs

Bocce’s Bakery Bone Broth Biscuits

This is essentially the goodness of bone broth packed into a bite-sized treat, which your dog is almost guaranteed to love.

Made in NYC, the biscuits consist of only four ingredients (bone broth, carrots, parsley and oat flour). Nothing more.

These are great to take with you on the go, as long as you avoid giving your pup too many of them. They’re also all-natural and free of artificial flavors, preservatives and wheat.

Is Store-Bought Bone Broth Good for Dogs?

While homemade bone broth is usually best in terms of nutrition and flavor, there are still plenty of benefits to giving your dog store-bought bone broth.

The greatest benefit of store-bought bone broth is the convenience:

• You can purchase and store it in the pantry for long periods of time before opening
• You don’t have to procure your own ingredients and make your own broth
• If you buy a carton and keep it in your kitchen, you always have it on hand

The drawback to purchasing bone broth rather than making it yourself at home is that it’s more expensive.

But for the most part, if you’re short on time, store-bought bone broth is perfectly healthy for your dog. Just be sure to read the ingredients, and avoid anything with an overly high salt level.

What to Look for in a Store-Bought Bone Broth for Dogs?

Like anything else you feed your dog, you should check the ingredients in bone broth to make sure it’s safe and nutritious:

1. Avoid broths that have artificial flavors or coloring. These store-bought versions are usually lower in nutrients and they may also contain preservatives and other unwanted ingredients.
2. To make sure it’s higher in key nutrients, try to find a bone broth that’s organic and made from grass-fed beef bones or free-range/pasture-raised poultry bones.
3. Be sure to purchase bone broth, not, for example, chicken broth or chicken stock, which is not the same product and contains high amounts of sodium.
4. Also, look for bone broths that are simmered or pressure cooked for long periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much bone broth should I give my dog?

A good rule of thumb is to use the 1:10 ratio, meaning an ounce of bone broth per 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight.

You can do this up to twice a day, but if you’re tempted to give more than that, simply split the daily portion up into smaller amounts and give it more frequently.

As with any new addition to your dog’s diet, you should introduce bone broth gradually to avoid digestion issues.

What are the best ways to give your dog bone broth?

Luckily, most dogs love the taste and texture of bone broth and have no problem guzzling it down!

You can feed it to them directly from a dish (served warm or cold), drizzle it over their kibble or wet food, or freeze it into small treats.

Can I feed my dog bone broth meant for human consumption?

Yes, but with some exceptions.

Before giving your dog bone broth meant for humans, be sure to check the ingredients. If it contains garlic, onion, a lot of salt, or anything else that could be toxic or unhealthy for dogs, it’s best to avoid it.

Is homemade bone broth good for dogs?

While you can safely feed your dog most store-bought bones broths, homemade is usually more flavorful and cost-effective.

When you make your own broth at home, you have complete control over the ingredients and the process.

You know exactly what you are putting into your dog’s body and can avoid feeding him any unnecessary additives or preservatives.

How can you make bone broth for dogs at home?

Making bone broth for your dog at home is inexpensive and simple. Truth is, you prepare broth for dogs the same way you would for humans, so you can enjoy it, too!

Preparation: Take the carcass and bones of one chicken – your best bet is to buy a whole roasted chicken and when you’re done consuming the meat, use the leftovers.

You can also ask your butcher if you can purchase a whole chicken carcass.

Place the carcass and bones in a large pot filled with 12 cups of water (filtered water is best) and add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.

The acidity in these ingredients helps the collagen break down so it can seep into the broth.

Seasoning: Add pinches of salt for flavor as needed. You can also add rosemary, turmeric and ginger (this is for extra antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Just be careful not to add anything that could be toxic for dogs, like garlic or onion.

Cooking: Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Allow broth to simmer for 10-12 hours. The longer you let it simmer, the more flavorful and filled with collagen it will be.

After cooking, strain the broth and remove the bones (any meat can be left inside for additional taste and nutrients).

Make sure any small bone pieces are removed, as they can be a choking hazard for your dog.

Why can’t I give my dog bones from bone broth?

I know it’s tempting to give those perfectly good-looking bones you used to make broth to your dog, but you must resist the urge.

You should always avoid giving your dog cooked bones because they’re more likely to crack and splinter. Bone splinters can injure your dog’s mouth, throat or even puncture internal organs.

Therefore, it’s best to just throw those dangerous bones out when you’re done cooking them.

How to store bone broth for dogs?

Bone broth will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Alternatively, you can store it in the freezer, and one of the best ways to do this for dogs is to use an ice cube tray. Simply distribute the bone broth into ice cube trays and freeze.

When you want to feed your dog some broth, you can give him the cubes right out of the freezer as a nutritious treat on a hot day, or warm them up in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.

You can also just store it in any airtight container in the freezer and melt in a pot on the stove before serving (make sure it’s not too hot before you present it to your good boy).

My small dog loves a frozen broth cube in a bowl (to avoid mess), and it keeps him occupied for a while as he licks away at it!

In Conclusion

Bone broth is an excellent addition to almost any dog’s diet, as long as it’s used as a supplement, and there are many ways to feed your dog this nutritious liquid.

Along with providing extra nutrition and hydration boost, it tastes great, and even helps stimulate your dog’s appetite.

Pick the form of bone broth that works best for you, whether it be a pourable liquid, concentrated powder, or bite-sized treat, and give to your dog once or twice a day to maximize his health and well-being.