The Top 6 Best Bone Broth For Dogs
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A rich, flavorful broth can be incredibly comforting when you’re feeling under the weather. It warms the body and soothes the soul while delivering much-needed nutrition.
Though bone broth may not be part of a “feel better” routine for your dog, maybe it should be. Better yet, perhaps you should make it part of his staple diet.
Bone broth is slow-simmered from meaty bones into a collagen- and nutrient-rich liquid bursting with flavor. It can be used to rehydrated freeze-dried food, moisten kibble, or simply add a little moisture and flavor to your dog’s diet.
Here’s what you need to know about bone broth and why you should include it in your dog’s diet.
Compare Best Bone Broth For Dogs
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Best Single Serve
5. The Honest Kitchen Daily Boosters Beef Bone Broth with Turmeric for Dogs |
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Flavor
Turkey, chicken, beef |
Flavor
Beef |
Flavor
Chicken |
Flavor
Beef |
Flavor
Beef |
Flavor
Chicken |
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Human Grade
Yes |
Human Grade
Yes |
Human Grade
Yes |
Human Grade
Yes |
Human Grade
Yes |
Human Grade
No |
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Package
Pouch |
Package
Pouch |
Package
Carton |
Package
Carton |
Package
Packet |
Package
Tub |
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Price Per Ounce
$0.58 |
Price Per Ounce
$0.50 |
Price Per Ounce
$0.68 |
Price Per Ounce
$0.32 |
Price Per Ounce
$5.54 |
Price Per Ounce
$2.84 |
Before we get into the details of our recommendations, let’s take a closer look at the subject of bone broth. We’ll talk about what it is, how it’s made, and how it can benefit your dog’s health.
What Is Bone Broth?
Bone broth is similar to the chicken or beef broth you’ve probably seen in cans and cartons at the grocery store. Both are made by simmering animal bones in water to create a stock.
The difference is that bone broth is made specifically with meaty bones, including tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. The marrow and connective tissues break down and release their nutrients over long hours of simmering at low temperatures. This yields a broth packed with amino acids, collagen, calcium, and other essential nutrients.
Bone broth can be made from any nearly any animal, though the quality of the broth depends on the quality of the bones. An animal that is not properly nourished won’t yield a nutritious bone broth.
Benefits Of Bone Broth For Dogs
Is bone broth good for dogs? Absolutely. Many of the health benefits of bone broth are related to its high collagen content. Up to 90% of the ligaments and tendons in the body are comprised of collagen – it’s what gives the connective tissues their strength and flexibility. All dogs can benefit from bone broth, but especially senior dogs.
Supplemental collagen in the diet can boost joint health, especially in dogs suffering from connective tissue disorders and hip or elbow dysplasia. Collagen isn’t the only thing that provides these benefits – bone broth is also rich in glucosamine and chondroitin which protect your dog’s joints and support collagen production in the body.
Collagen also plays an important role in the structure of skin and fur. It’s important for optimal function of the gastrointestinal system as well and can even strengthen your dog’s immune system. Finally, bone broth is flavorful, hydrating, and gentle on the digestive system.
Commercial Vs. Homemade Bone Broth
Pet parents thinking about including bone broth in a diet for dogs have one decision to make: will you buy it or make it yourself?
Bone broth is fairly simply to make at home, especially if you can get the bones directly from a butcher. You can prepare it at home with raw bones and warm water in a slow cooker or stockpot. This option gives you complete control over the ingredients and you can customize the formula according to your dog’s tastes.
The trouble with making your own bone broth is that it doesn’t have a long shelf-life. Unless you have plenty of storage space to freeze it in smaller quantities, it might be a bit of a hassle.
Store-bought bone broth generally comes in cartons or powders. You can pour or mix as much bone broth as you need. Many commercial bone broths are made with high-quality ingredients like free-range chicken or grass-fed beef along with nutritious veggies and herbs like sweet potatoes and turmeric.
It really comes down to a matter of convenience for most dog owners. If you prefer to have a shelf-stable stock of bone broth on hand, commercial may be the way to go. If you like to have a hand in what goes into your dog’s diet, homemade might be best.
Our Top Picks For The Best Bone Broth For Dogs
When shopping for bone broth, it’s important to choose a reputable brand that uses high-quality, natural ingredients. Check the list of ingredients to make sure there aren’t any unnecessary additives or unsafe ingredients like garlic or onion. From there, its simply a matter of deciding which flavor your dog is most likely to enjoy.
All of the following recommendations are top-rated products from reputable brands that have a history of quality and customer satisfaction.
Open Farm Bone Broth Bundle For Dogs
Product Info
- Flavor: Turkey, chicken, beef
- Human Grade: Yes
- Package: Pouch
- Price Per Ounce: $0.58
- Made with 100% human-grade ingredients
- Humanely-raised chicken and turkey, grass-fed beef
- Packaged in a resealable pouch with a screw-top lid
- Supplemented with functional ingredients
- Fairly expensive
- May be too much to use in a week
All of Open Farm’s pet products are made with 100% human-grade ingredients and they’re completely free from artificial additives.
This human-grade bone broth can be used to rehydrate freeze-dried dog food or as a food topper for dry food. Simply unscrew the cap, pour, and reseal the package.
Solid Gold Beef Bone Broth with Turmeric Dog Food Topper
Product Info
- Flavor: Beef
- Human Grade: Yes
- Package: Pouch
- Price Per Ounce: $0.50
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Conveniently packaged in resealable pouch
- Made with 100% human-grade ingredients
- Slow-simmered for flavor and nutrition
- Rich in bone, joint, and digestion supporting collagen
- Somewhat pricey
- Some dogs don’t seem to like it
This bone broth is made with 100% human grade ingredients, slow-simmered with turmeric for added flavor and aroma. This recipe features a tasty beef flavor with hints of carrot, sweet potato, and apple.
Solid Gold bone broth recipe is packed with collagen to support your dog’s bone, joint, and digestive health. Because it is crafted with simple ingredients, it’s easy to digest and a great choice for picky eaters.
Caru Free-Range Chicken Bone Broth
Product Info
- Flavor: Chicken
- Human Grade: Yes
- Package: Carton
- Price Per Ounce: $0.68
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Made with free-range chicken
- Contains 100% human-grade ingredients
- Ingredients are non-GMO, natural, and traceable
- Formulated for both dogs and cats
- Very expensive
- Carton may not keep broth as fresh as screw-top pouches
This bone broth is made with 100% human-grade ingredients in a grain-free, gluten-free formula. It is made in the USA without the use of GMO ingredients or artificial additives. It can easily be poured over dry food to boost your dog’s moisture intake or used to rehydrate freeze-dried dog food formulas.
Caru chicken bone broth is significantly more expensive per ounce than other formulas, but the ingredients are traceable and dogs seem to enjoy the flavor.
Brutus Bone Broth Beef Flavor Hip & Joint Formula
Product Info
- Flavor: Beef
- Human Grade: Yes
- Package: Carton
- Price Per Ounce: $0.32
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Made with all-natural, human-grade ingredients
- Supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin
- Great value at under $0.50 per ounce
- Large carton may be hard to use quickly
- Only sold in 2-packs
Brutus bone broth is made with all-natural, human-grade ingredients with added glucosamine and chondroitin for extra hip and joint support. It’s completely free from artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives and is very low in calories.
While the larger cartons make Brutus bone broth an affordable choice, you may not be able to use all 32 oucnes within the recommended 21 days. At that point, however, you can freeze the leftover broth.
The Honest Kitchen Daily Boosters Beef Bone Broth with Turmeric for Dogs
Product Info
- Flavor: Beef
- Human Grade: Yes
- Package: Packet
- Price Per Ounce: $5.54
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Single-serve packets mix up into ¼ cup bone broth
- Made with human-grade ingredients in a human food facility
- Low in calories but rich in protein and flavor
- Expensive per ounce and per serving
- Must be mixed with water
The Honest Kitchen bone broth features all human-grade ingredients and their products are made in human food facilities. This bone broth is made in the USA and provides a low-calorie boost of protein and flavor.
This powdered bone broth provides a shelf-stable alternative to cartons and pouches. You can mix up only as much bone broth as you need. Some customers find the process a hassle, but for others it’s just the right solution.
Nature’s Logic Dehydrated Chicken Bone Broth
Product Info
- Flavor: Chicken
- Human Grade: No
- Package: Tub
- Price Per Ounce: $2.84
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Shelf-stable alternative to fresh bone broth
- Large 6-ounce tub makes up to 10 cups
- Free from fillers, carrageenan, and artificial additives
- Must be mixed with water
- Fairly pricey per ounce
This dehydrated chicken bone broth is completely free from corn, wheat, and soy as well as other ingredients that might irritate sensitive stomachs like carrageenan and artificial additives.
Nature’s Logic dehydrated bone broth is rich in collagen to support bone health, mobility, gut health, and immunity. It even contains added glucosamine and chondroitin for additional joint support.
Final Thoughts
Bone broth is a nutritious supplement any dog can enjoy, whether you’re concerned about joint health, digestion, or overall wellness.
While bone broth has become incredibly popular in recent years, commercial options can still be a bit pricey. If you’d prefer to make bone broth yourself, you can easily do so with a few simple ingredients.
To start, place a few pounds of meaty bones in a large stockpot with a few quarts of water. Knuckle bones, marrow bones, short ribs, and chicken feet or anything that contains marrow or connective tissues works well. If your dog has food allergies, try to stick to one type of animal.
Feel free to add dog-safe veggies like celery and herbs for flavor as well as a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. From there, simmer or slow cook on low heat for at least 12 hours.
Once the bone broth is cooked, strain off the liquid and let it cool before placing it in the refrigerator. Within a few hours, the fat will have risen to the top and you can skim it off. Then your bone broth is ready to serve.
Store homemade bone broth in airtight containers or freeze it in smaller quantities (ice cube trays work well) for convenience.
