Is Bone Broth Safe for Dogs? Store-Bought vs Homemade, and How to Freeze It

Yes, bone broth is safe for most dogs, as long as it's plain: no onion, no garlic and little or no added salt. That's the catch with store-bought broth. Most cartons on the grocery shelf are made for people, and many contain exactly the ingredients dogs shouldn't have.

This guide shows you how to read a broth label, how to make bone broth for dogs at home, and how to freeze it into treats that keep your dog busy instead of disappearing in two laps.

Can dogs have chicken broth? The quick answer

It depends on which broth. Here's how the common options compare.

Is chicken broth safe for dogs? Read the label first

Three things make most people-broth a poor choice for dogs.

1. Onion and garlic. Garlic, onions and their relatives damage a dog's red blood cells, a condition called hemolytic anemia. Cooking doesn't make them safe, and garlic powder and onion powder are the most concentrated forms. Signs can show up several days later: pale or yellow gums, weakness, fast breathing and red or brown urine. If your dog drinks a large amount of broth made with either, call your vet.

"Low sodium" doesn't mean onion-free, either. Swanson's Low Sodium Organic Chicken Broth, for example, lists onion juice and garlic among its ingredients.

2. Salt. Regular Swanson chicken broth contains 860 mg of sodium per cup, compared with 140 mg in a low-sodium version. Small dogs hit their limit fastest, so a splash that suits a Lab can be too much for a Chihuahua.

3. Fat. Broth made with skin and fat can upset a dog's stomach, and high-fat foods are a common trigger for pancreatitis. Vet clinics see more cases around the holidays, when rich leftovers are everywhere.

A 10-second label check:

•        No onion, garlic, chives or leeks in any form, including powder and juice

•        "Unsalted" or "no salt added" on the front

•        No vague "spices" or "flavorings" you can't identify

•        Low in fat, or made for dogs

If a carton fails any box, put it back. Homemade is easier than it sounds.

What bone broth can and can't do for dogs

Bone broth is simmered longer than regular broth, often more than 12 hours, so it pulls more collagen and gelatin out of the bones and sets thicker when chilled (Global Pet Industry).

What it does well:

•        Makes dry kibble more appealing to picky eaters

•        Adds moisture to meals

•        Turns a fillable toy into a long, absorbing lick session when frozen

What it hasn't been proven to do: Online claims about joints, gut health and shiny coats run ahead of the science. There's no conclusive research on bone broth in dogs or cats, so treat it as a tasty extra, not a remedy or a replacement for medication or supplements your vet recommends (Global Pet Industry). Broth also doesn't replace water. Keep a fresh bowl out at all times.

Homemade bone broth for dogs

Homemade broth takes about 10 minutes of hands-on time. The slow cooker does the rest.

You'll need:

•        2 to 3 lb of raw, unseasoned bones: chicken backs, necks or feet, or beef knuckle bones

•        Water to cover

•        Optional: a chopped carrot for flavor

That's the whole list. Leave out salt, onion, garlic, herbs and spice blends.

Method:

1.       Simmer. Put the bones in a slow cooker, cover them with water by about an inch and cook on low for 12 to 24 hours. Top up the water if it drops below the bones.

2.       Strain twice. Pour the broth through a fine-mesh strainer, then strain it again. Remove every bone and fragment. Cooked bones splinter, and the FDA warns that bones are unsafe for dogs no matter their size (Pet Food Industry, on the FDA warning).

3.       Cool it fast. Divide the broth into shallow containers and refrigerate it within two hours (USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service).

4.       Skim the fat. Once chilled, the fat sets in a layer on top. Lift it off and throw it away.

5.       Store it. Keep broth in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, or freeze it for 2 to 3 months (USDA FSIS).

Don't worry if the chilled broth turns to jelly. That's the gelatin from the bones, and it melts as it warms.

What about the holiday turkey? Most roast birds, including store-bought rotisserie chickens, are cooked with salt, butter, garlic or onion, and that seasoning ends up in the broth. Only use a carcass if the bird was cooked completely plain. When in doubt, start with raw bones from the butcher.

Frozen broth dog treats

Broth on its own melts fast and runs out of a toy. Freezbone's own guidance notes that wet food and yogurt last longer than broth alone (Freezbone), so the trick is to give the broth something to hold onto.

Three ways to stop broth leaking:

1.       Line the bottom. Press a spoonful of wet food or xylitol-free peanut butter into the bottom of the toy, freeze it for 20 minutes, then pour in the broth.

2.       Stand it up. Freeze the toy upright on its flat base so the liquid sets evenly.

3.       Mix it in. Stir broth into kibble or wet food so it freezes into a solid plug instead of a puddle.

Five frozen broth treats to try:

Freeze for two to three hours, or overnight for the longest session (Freezbone). Our batch prep guide shows how to fill a full week in about an hour, and our guide to Greek yogurt for dogs covers the yogurt layer. Short on time? Bone Refills squeeze straight in with no cooking.

Skip plain broth ice cubes as chews. Hard frozen cubes are on the list of objects vets warn can fracture dogs' teeth. If you freeze broth in an ice cube tray, drop a cube into the water bowl or a toy to melt instead of handing it over to crunch.

How much broth to give, and which dogs should skip it

Broth is a treat, so it belongs in your dog's treat allowance: extras should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. Plain, skimmed broth is low in calories, but a toy packed with kibble, yogurt or pumpkin adds up. Our calorie table for toy fillings shows the numbers.

Start with a small splash over food and check your dog's stool the next day. Too much broth too fast can upset some stomachs.

Ask your vet before offering broth if your dog:

•        Has had pancreatitis or eats a low-fat diet

•        Has kidney or heart disease, or is on a low-sodium diet

•        Eats a prescription diet

•        Is allergic to chicken, beef or another protein in the broth

Sharing with the cat? Plain, unsalted homemade broth can work for cats too, but their list of safe fillings is different. Check our cat-safe frozen fills guide first.

Frequently asked questions

Is store-bought chicken broth safe for dogs? Most broth made for people isn't. Regular versions are high in salt, and many low-sodium versions still contain onion or garlic. Choose an unsalted broth whose ingredients pass the label check above, a broth made for dogs, or homemade.

Can dogs have chicken broth every day? A small amount of plain broth can fit into the daily treat allowance for a healthy dog. Ask your vet first if your dog has a medical condition or eats a prescription diet.

What's the difference between bone broth and regular broth? Bone broth simmers much longer, often more than 12 hours, so it carries more collagen and gelatin and sets thicker when chilled.

Can I make broth from the holiday turkey or a rotisserie chicken? Only if the bird was cooked with no salt, butter, onion, garlic or other seasoning. Never give your dog the bones themselves.

How long does homemade bone broth last? Three to four days in the fridge, or two to three months in the freezer.

This weekend, make one batch with raw bones and water, skim it and freeze half of it in toys. By Monday you'll have a week of frozen broth dog treats ready to go, and you'll know exactly what's in every one.

General information, not veterinary advice. Check with your vet before adding new foods for a dog with a medical condition.

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