Bone broth is one of the easiest and most nourishing additions you can make for your carnivore companion. Whether you’re supporting gut health, joints, hydration, or helping a pet feel better during times of stress or illness, bone broth is a simple staple worth keeping on hand.
The best part?
It’s incredibly easy to make at home with just a few ingredients and tools you probably already have.
Why Bone Broth Is So Beneficial for Dogs
Bone broth isn’t just tasty — it’s packed with naturally occurring nutrients that support the whole body.
Benefits of bone broth for dogs include:
-
High in collagen & gelatin
Supports healthy joints, connective tissue, skin, and gut lining. -
Natural “animal fiber”
Gelatin acts like a gentle fiber for carnivores, supporting digestion and gut health. -
Excellent hydration
Perfect for hot summer days, raw-fed pets, or pets who need extra fluids. -
Gentle nourishment for sick or stressed pets
Often well-tolerated and enticing when appetite is low.
Because it’s so flavorful, bone broth is often a go-to when helping an ill pet take in hydration and nutrients while they recover.
💡 Tip: Slightly warming bone broth before adding it to a meal can make it even more enticing — especially in colder months or during appetite dips.
How You Can Use Bone Broth
Bone broth is incredibly versatile. It can be used:
- As added hydration poured over meals
- As a snack or side
- As a light “fill-in” meal when fasting or transitioning to once-daily feeding
- As a gentle meal during time changes or schedule shifts 😉
- As supportive nourishment when your carnivore isn’t feeling their best
- As a topper on a new food that your pet isn't 100% sure about yet
While there are many pet-safe bone broths available for purchase, making your own gives you full control over ingredients — and it’s surprisingly simple.
What You’ll Need to Make Bone Broth
You can make bone broth using an InstantPot, crock pot, or a large pot on the stove.
Basic ingredients:
- Bones
- Water
- Apple cider vinegar
That’s it!
Choosing the Right Bones (This Matters!)
How gelatinous your bone broth turns out depends heavily on the type of bones you use.
-
Highly gelatinous options (great for joints & gut):
- Chicken feet
- Duck feet
- Bones with lots of joints and connective tissue
Marrow bones:
- Create a richer, more flavorful broth
- Often preferred by picky carnivores
Best of both worlds:
-
Use a mixture of joint-heavy bones and marrow bones
-
Optional Add-Ins (If You Want to Get Fancy)
These are completely optional, but you can include:
- Pet-safe herbs
- Pet-safe vegetable scraps
- Pet-safe mushrooms
Keep additions minimal and appropriate for carnivores — bones are the real star here.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Bone Broth
-
Add bones to your pot, crock pot, or InstantPot.
-
Add 1–2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
(This helps pull minerals and collagen from the bones.) -
Cover the bones with water.
-
Cover with a lid and cook using one of the methods below:
Cooking Methods
-
Crock Pot:
Cook on low for 12–24 hours -
Stovetop:
Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer for 24–48 hours -
InstantPot:
- High pressure: 40 minutes
- Low pressure: 90–120 minutes
-
Once finished, allow the broth to cool.
-
Strain out and discard the bones.
Storing Your Bone Broth
Pour the finished broth into:
- Freezer-safe glass jars
- Silicone ice cube trays
- Any freezer-safe container
Fat Skimming Option
You have two choices:
-
Refrigerate overnight so the fat rises to the top and skim it off
-
Helpful for pets that need to watch fat intake
-
-
Freeze immediately for later use
Both options work beautifully.
And That’s It!
You now have a nutrient-dense, carnivore-approved bone broth ready to use as a topper, snack, light meal, or supportive food when your pet needs extra care.
Keeping bone broth stocked in your freezer is one of those small things that can make a big difference in your carnivore’s overall well-being.
Simple. Nourishing. Powerful. 🐾
