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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Bone broth for dogs is full of protein, as it comes from the collagen-rich filling of meaty bones. It also contains essential minerals, like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, plus joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin. Adding a splash on top of kibble is a popular way to entice picky eaters or add interest to meal time.
But adding just any old bone broth you find in the grocery store won’t do. These options are made for humans and often contain ingredients like garlic and onions that could harm your dog. That means the best bone broths for your dog will be the ones specifically made for them.
We’ve rounded up our favorites in a range of styles, from cartons and pouches to convenient powders. Which type you choose will depend on your and your dog’s preferences, guided by your vet’s recommendations.
Best for Small Dogs: Castor & Pollux Pristine Beef Bone Broth
The Pristine product line from Castor & Pollux offers a range of flavors with different proteins and grain-free options (including a beef version without turmeric). Made in the USA, it comes from grass-fed beef raised responsibly. The 8.4-ounce cartons are also recyclable.
We especially like the relatively small amount of liquid per container, making it easier to get through a cartoon before it goes bad, especially when smaller pups are involved. It’s also one of the broths that goes the furthest on the fewest calories, which helps small dog and puppy parents intent on maximizing liquid intake. The fat content is on the low end, too, at 2.5% measured on a dry matter basis (which we’ve done for all our broths to better compare and contrast).
Feeding instructions: Serve 1/4 cup per day per 10 pounds of body weight.
Key nutrients:
- Calories: 25kcal/carton
- Protein: 25%
- Fat: 2.5%
- Fiber: 2.5%
Ingredients: Beef Broth, Beef Fat, Salt, Natural Flavor
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonBest for Big Dogs: Brutus Bone Broth for Dogs
Brutus Bone Broth is hugely popular, partly thanks to its low-sodium recipe that maximizes glucosamine and chondroitin for big dog bone and joint health. The added turmeric also adds anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for larger breeds prone to hip dysplasia and other joint conditions. Its eco-friendly packaging is a big plus for environmentally-conscious pet parents, too. And, the company supports several animal organizations through a portion of its proceeds.
This bone broth comes in a sizeable 32-ounce container, but once opened, it stays good in the fridge for 30 days—longer than most bone broth cartons, which need to be consumed within a week. Still, the significant volume makes it a good choice for households that expect to go through bone broth quickly or have multiple big breeds on their hands.
Feeding instructions: Serve approximately 1/4 cup of broth per 25 pounds of body weight per meal.
Key nutrients:
- Calories: 5kcal/serving
- Protein: 33.3%
- Fat: 0%
- Fiber: 16.7%
Ingredients: Beef Broth, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Vegetable Broth (Sweet Potato, Carrot, Celery), Sea Salt, Beef Flavor, Chondroitin Sulfate, Yeast Extract, Modified Potato Starch, Natural Flavor (Contains Torula Yeast), Turmeric
Find on Amazon Find on Chewy Find on PetcoBest Flavor Range: Solid Gold Chicken Broth Dog Food Topper
Solid Gold’s 8-ounce pouches are a little more affordable than most of the pouch options on the market—and if your dog is a regular bone broth consumer, a few cents can make a big difference over the course of a year. If you’re looking to soften food or significantly increase your dog’s water intake, a lower-calorie option might be better—but for a flavor boost on a budget, this broth is a strong choice.
This chicken formula prioritizes collagen for gut and joint health, plus soothing lavender and chamomile. Solid Gold also features a turkey bone broth with pumpkin and ginger and a beef blend with turmeric for added flavor and gut-friendly properties.
Feeding instructions: Serve 1/4 cup per day per 25 pounds of body weight.
Key nutrients:
- Calories: 85kcal/pouch
- Protein: 60%
- Fat: 2%
- Fiber: 20%
Ingredients: Chicken Bone Broth, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Sesame Seed Oil, Lavender, Chamomile
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoBest for Dogs with Food Sensitivities: Merrick Grain-Free Chicken Broth Topper
This human-grade recipe made in Merrick’s Texas kitchens keeps things simple. The ingredients are chicken bone broth, sweet potato, apple, parsley, and turmeric, making it easy for dogs with food sensitivities. (If chicken is your dog’s nemesis, try another equally simple beef or turkey recipe.)
The option to choose between pouch sizes will be welcome to pet parents with pups of different sizes. This recipe also allows you to feed a little more broth per pound of body weight than other pouches—which is nice if you’re aiming to maximize liquid intake.
Feeding instructions: Feed up to approximately 1/8 cup of Merrick Chicken Bone Broth per 10 pounds of body weight per day.
Key nutrients:
- Calories: 26 kcal/cup
- Protein: 100%
- Fat: 0%
- Fiber: 33.3%
Ingredients: Chicken Bone Broth, Sweet Potato, Apple, Parsley, Turmeric (spice)
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoBest for Protein: CARU Free Range Chicken Bone Broth
Made with 100% human-grade ingredients, this bone broth has been slow-simmered for flavor. It features a limited list of ingredients, starting with free-range chicken bones, and it has a higher protein content than similar carton-style broths if you have highly active working dogs or sweet seniors who need help retaining muscle. The marine microalgae oil also provides an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation.
This bone broth freezes well, too, making it a popular choice for summer treats and pet households that have trouble getting through a whole carton.
Feeding instructions: Serve 1/4 cup per day per 25 pounds of body weight.
Key nutrients:
- Calories: 10 kcal/ ¼ cup (60 g)
- Protein: 100%
- Fat: 0.3%
- Fiber: 33.3%
Ingredients: Water sufficient for processing, Chicken Bones, Organic Carrots, Marine Microalgae Oil (Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids), Organic Celery, Organic Parsley, Apple Cider Vinegar, Black Peppercorn, Thyme
Shop on Chewy Shop on PetcoBest Low-Calorie Bone Broth: Nulo FreeStyle Grain-Free Classic Turkey Recipe
With just eight calories per cup, Nulo’s bone broth for dogs is much easier to feed in greater volumes than your typical bone broth. Its high liquid content makes for a lightly flavored broth that might not please picky eaters—but it’s a strong choice if hydration or weight management is your goal. The parsley, thyme, and lemon juice also add a splash of extra flavor to the chicken, beef, or turkey options.
One watch out? These are big pouches, at 20 ounces, and once opened, they’ll need to be used within the week. If your dog is only an occasional bone broth drinker, try a smaller pouch or a powder option.
Feeding instructions: Pour on top of your dog food as needed and serve at room temperature for maximum flavor.
Key nutrients:
- Calories: 20 kcals/pouch
- Protein: 50%
- Fat: 10%
- Fiber: 30%
Ingredients (for turkey recipe): Water, Turkey Bones, Apple Cider Vinegar, Celery, Carrots, Parsley, Thyme, Lemon Juice, Turmeric.
Honest Kitchen’s bone broth comes in powder form, which is a boon to pet parents who have trouble getting through a full container of bone broth every week—or have limited shelf space for a lot of cartons. Just mix the recommended amount with hot water, let cool to a drinkable temperature, and serve either by itself or as a meal topper.
It comes in a 3.6-ounce canister of powdered bone broth or a box of single-serve packets, and the ingredient list is short: just beef broth, beef, pumpkin, parsley, and turmeric.
Feeding instructions: Use 1/2 tablespoon per 25 pounds of body weight.
Key nutrients:
- Calories: 13 kcal/1/2 tbsp
- Protein: 84.7%
- Fat: 2.2%
- Fiber: 4.3%
Ingredients: Dehydrated Beef broth, Dehydrated Beef, Dehydrated Pumpkin, Dried Parsley, Turmeric.
Best Powder With Simple Ingredients: Nature’s Logic Dehydrated Beef Broth
This dehydrated dog-safe bone broth powder from Nature’s Logic comes in a six-ounce container and contains just bone broth—so if your pup turns their nose up at recipes that get too fancy, this is a good choice. The brand has a wider range of flavors, including chicken, pork, and turkey, and the six-ounce container size is nice for minimizing frequent refills.
A few pet parents have noted that the powder can be tricky to mix with anything but boiling water (which means you need to let it sit before serving), and the smell is more appealing to pups than people since the brand has skipped the herbs humans like for a pared-down recipe.
Feeding instructions: Mix 2 tablespoons with an 8 oz cup of warm water. Serve about 1/4 cup of broth per 25 pounds of your dog’s body weight.
Key nutrients:
- Calories: 24 kcal/tablespoon
- Protein: 95.7%
- Fat: 0.5%
- Fiber: 1.1%
Ingredient: Dehydrated Beef Bone Broth
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonBest Fresh Food With Bone Broth: A Pup Above Bone Broth Food (Verified Review)
One especially easy way to get the nutrients and flavor benefits of bone broth is dog food that’s made with bone broth, like this option from A Pup Above. Fresh ingredients are simmered in bone broth and cooked via a nutrient-preserving sous-vide method that helps them retain both the protein and the flavor from the broth.
The food arrives frozen and thaws in your fridge before mealtime, making it one of the more convenient fresh food options on the market. We like that you don’t have to worry about using up your carton of bone broth before it goes bad or measure out broth before you serve. Plus our testers found it a huge win with picky eaters; it got an enthusiastic four paws up!
Feeding instructions: Feed according to your dog’s body weight, as recommended by your vet.
Key Nutrients (Chicka Chicka Bow Wow Recipe):
- 626 kcal/per patty
- Protein: 41.6%
- Fat: 16.9%
- Carbohydrate: 35.7%
- Crude Fiber: 5.8%
- Calcium: X%
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Bone Broth, Rice, Apples, Spinach, Kale, Turmeric, Thyme, Parsley, Minerals [Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Oxide, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite], Vitamins [Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement]
Shop on A Pup AboveBest Meal Toppers with Bone Broth: Blue Buffalo Delectables
Blue Buffalo Delectables are crafted with chicken, beef, lamb, and turkey. They’re designed to be either a meal topper or a full dinner for your dog. Each pouch flavor includes broth as a main ingredient, providing different minerals and elements for joint health.
Regardless of the recipe, these are all high-calorie toppers, ranging from around 204 kcal/cup (chicken, beef, and turkey) to 248 kcal/cup (lamb). The chicken recipe is also high in protein and fiber with potatoes, peas, and carrots providing healthy carbs.
Feeding instructions: If feeding as a main meal, feed one pouch per day for every 10 pounds of body weight.
Key nutrients (chicken recipe):
- Calories: 76 kcal/pouch
- Protein: 53%
- Fat: 15.6%
- Fiber: 9.4%
Ingredients: Chicken Recipe: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Water, Chicken Liver, Potatoes, Peas, Dried Egg Product, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Potato Starch, Guar Gum, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Carbonate.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoHow We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized products that meet AAFCO feeding guidelines. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
