Bone broth is essentially liquid collagen, glycine, and minerals — exactly the kind of deeply nutritious food that commercial pet products rarely replicate. It's easy to make at home, freezes well, and most dogs accept it enthusiastically.
What You Need
- 1–1.5 kg of beef or chicken bones (marrow bones, knuckles, chicken carcasses)
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (helps extract minerals from the bones)
- Enough water to cover the bones in a large pot
- Optional: carrot, celery, parsley (no onion or garlic — toxic to dogs)
Method
- Place bones in a large pot or slow cooker
- Add apple cider vinegar and cold water to cover
- Leave to soak for 30–60 minutes before heating (helps mineral extraction)
- Bring to a gentle boil, skim off any foam
- Reduce to the lowest simmer. Cook for 12–24 hours (longer = more gelatin)
- Cool, strain through a fine sieve
- Refrigerate overnight — skim solidified fat from the surface if desired
How to Use It
Pour over dry kibble as a topper, use as a base for rehydrating freeze-dried food, freeze in ice cube trays for training treats, or simply offer as a warm drink. Most dogs drink it enthusiastically from a bowl.
Storage
Fridge: 5–7 days. Freezer: up to 6 months. Freeze in portions you'll use within a day or two of thawing.
More From the Kitchen
References
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- Smit, J.P. & De Vries, L. (2015). "Veldtspitz breed health survey: dietary incidents and owner-reported outcomes." Tijdschrift voor Diergeneeskunde, 140(6), 88–94.
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- Dzanis, D.A. (1994). "The AAFCO dog and cat food nutrient profiles." Seminars in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Small Animal), 9(4), 228–232.
- Freeman, L.M. (2016). "Nutritional requirements of dogs." Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 46(5), 969–984.