Beef Bone Broth for Dogs (Easy Slow Cooker Recipe)
There’s something incredibly comforting about making a nourishing bone broth—especially when it’s for your dog. This slow cooker beef bone broth is simple, wholesome, and packed with nutrients that can support your dog’s joints, digestion, and overall health.
Made with a mix of beef marrow bones and other beef bones, this broth is rich, flavorful, and full of natural goodness. A splash of apple cider vinegar helps draw out essential minerals, while carrots and celery add a gentle boost of vitamins.
Best of all, your slow cooker does all the work. Just set it and let it simmer low and slow for a deeply nourishing broth your dog will love. Our dogs loved this on top of their food and happily crunched the frozen treats with made the broth too.
You can read more about the benefits of using a slow cooker for dog food in our article here – Slow Cooker Dog Food Benefits
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WHAT IS IN THIS POST
Benefits of Bone Broth for Dogs
Bone broth isn’t just tasty—it’s packed with nutrients that can give your dog a real health boost. Here’s what makes it so beneficial:
Joint support & mobility
Slow-cooked bones release collagen, which breaks down into gelatin. This helps support healthy joints, ligaments, and cartilage—especially useful for older dogs or active breeds.
Gut health & digestion
Gelatin is gentle on the digestive system and can help soothe and support the gut lining. This makes bone broth a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs or during recovery from illness.
Rich in minerals
The addition of apple cider vinegar helps draw out key minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus from the bones. These are essential for strong bones, teeth, and overall body function.
Hydration boost
Bone broth is a great way to increase your dog’s fluid intake, especially for dogs who don’t drink much water or need extra hydration.
Supports skin & coat
The collagen and amino acids (like glycine and proline) can help promote healthier skin and a shinier coat over time.
Immune system support
Those same amino acids also play a role in supporting the immune system and reducing inflammation.
Appetite enhancer
If you’ve got a picky eater, bone broth can work wonders. Pour a little over their regular food, and it instantly becomes more appealing.
It’s a simple addition to your dog’s diet, but one that delivers a surprising amount of nutritional value.
Ingredients
We have used a mix of beef bones and kept it simple with just carrots and celery. We would have added parsley but didn’t have any to hand!
We used a mixture of beef marrow bones and beef bones but you could use just beef marrow bones.
You can rotate veggies for a broader nutrient profile:
- Butternut squash or pumpkin: Great for digestion and fibre
- Parsley (a small amount): Freshens breath
- Green beans: Low-calorie and vitamin-rich
How To Make Beef Bone Broth For Dogs
Making a broth in a slow cooker is so easy and simple.
Add all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook for 24 hours on low.
Remove the bones and vegetables.
Strain the broth and pour into a container. Cool and store in the fridge overnight.
If a layer of fat appears, remove it.
Pour the broth into a jar and store in the fridge.
Add to dinner for a nutritional boost.
Making Frozen Broth Dog Treats
Use some of the beef bone broth to make easy frozen dog treats. Your dogs will love these treats on a hot day or you can add one to their bowl when serving their food.
Pour the bone broth into silicone molds.
Freeze and give as a treat.
You can drop in small dog-safe extras like:
- Blueberries
- Finely chopped carrots
- Small pieces of cooked meat (like chicken or beef)
Recipe Tips
Use a mix of bones
Marrow bones add richness, while knuckle or joint bones boost collagen—using both gives you the best nutritional balance.
Don’t skip the vinegar
It won’t make the broth taste vinegary, but it’s key for extracting minerals.
Low and slow is key
Avoid cooking on high heat—gentle simmering helps preserve nutrients and improves gelatin extraction.
Look for the jelly texture
Once chilled, a good broth will turn slightly jelly-like—that’s a sign of high gelatin content (a good thing!).
Boost the nutritional value
Add a slice of fresh ginger to aid digestion or small amount of kelp to add trace minerals.
Storage Instructions
In the fridge:
Allow the bone broth to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. You’ll notice it may turn jelly-like when chilled—this is perfectly normal and a sign of a good, gelatin-rich broth.
In the freezer:
For longer storage, freeze the broth in portions. Ice cube trays, silicone molds, or small containers work really well. Once frozen, transfer cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bone broth will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Defrosting:
Thaw overnight in the fridge or gently warm a portion as needed. You can also add frozen cubes straight to your dog’s food—great for a cooling treat in warmer weather.
Before serving:
Always check the broth is fully defrosted (if needed) and not too hot before giving it to your dog.
Top tip:
If a layer of fat forms on top after chilling, you can skim it off before storing or serving for a lighter broth
How Much Bone Broth to Give Your Dog
A simple guideline is:
- Small dogs (up to 10 kg): 1–2 tablespoons per day
- Medium dogs (10–25 kg): 2–4 tablespoons per day
- Large dogs (25 kg+): 4–8 tablespoons (¼–½ cup) per day
You can pour it over their food or serve it on its own as a treat. If you are looking for another bone broth recipe, try our chicken feet broth recipe for dogs.
Helpful Tips
- Start small: If your dog hasn’t had bone broth before, begin with a smaller amount to make sure it agrees with their stomach.
- Use as a topper: It’s perfect for adding moisture and flavour to kibble or homemade meals.
- Adjust as needed: Active dogs or those needing extra hydration can have a little more.
- Watch the fat content: If your broth is quite rich, you may want to skim the fat and keep portions moderate.
Bone broth is nutrient-dense, so a little goes a long way—think of it as a daily boost rather than the main meal.
Serving Ideas
- Pour over kibble
- Mix into homemade dog food
- Use to rehydrate dry food
- Freeze into treats
- Serve warm in colder months
Safety Notes
- Never feed cooked bones– always strain and discard them
- Avoid onions, leeks, and salt
- Consult your vet if your dog has conditions like pancreatitis, kidney issues, or is on a restricted diet
- Watch fat content for dogs prone to digestive issues
How Much Broth Does This Recipe Make?
The yield can vary depending on the size of your slow cooker and how much water you use, but here’s a good general guide:
Estimated Yield
- This recipe typically makes about 2–3 litres of bone broth
Servings (Based on Daily Use)
- Small dogs: 1–2 tbsp → ~30–90 servings
- Medium dogs: 2–4 tbsp → ~15–45 servings
- Large dogs: ¼–½ cup → ~8–16 servings
Helpful Note
If you’re using a larger slow cooker (6–7 litres) and filling it well, you may end up closer to 3+ litres, especially if you top up water during cooking.
It’s one of those recipes where a single batch can last quite a while—especially if you freeze it in small portions.
You May Also Like These Recipes
Frozen Salmon Sweet Potato Dog Treat
FAQs
Yes, in moderate amounts as a supplement.
It may need more collagen-rich bones or longer cooking time.
Only if it contains no onion or added salt.
Beef Bone Broth For Dogs
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Ingredients
- 5 Beef marrow bones beef bones optional
- 2 large carrots whole, unpeeled
- 2 sticks celery
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric with a pinch of black pepper
- 4 cups water use enough to cover ingredients
Instructions
- Place the beef bones, carrots, and celery into your slow cooker.
- Add the turmeric, black pepper and apple cider vinegar.
- Fill with water until everything is covered.
- Cook on low for 24 hours.
- Remove the bones and vegetables.
- Strain out all solids and allow to cool.
- Pour into an air tight container and place in the fridge overnight.
- Remove any fat layer, then store the broth into a glass jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for later use.
- Serve as a nutritional treat.
Video
Notes
Small dogs: 1–2 tbsp → ~30–90 servings
Medium dogs: 2–4 tbsp → ~15–45 servings
Large dogs: ¼–½ cup → ~8–16 servings No slow cooker? This broth can also be made on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot, or in a Dutch oven This recipe is intended as a supplement and should not replace a balanced diet
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.