Last reviewed: August 2026

Can Dogs Eat Bone Broth?

SafePlain, Homemade Preferred

Yes. Plain bone broth, made without onion, garlic, or excess salt, is a safe and often genuinely appealing treat or food topper for dogs.

Why

Bone broth carries no toxicity concern when prepared plain, and is sometimes recommended by vets as a way to encourage eating in dogs recovering from illness or with reduced appetite. The risk is entirely in what's added during preparation — many commercial and homemade stocks include onion, garlic, or high salt content.

Serving tips

Make or choose bone broth without onion, garlic, or added salt
Check store-bought stock and broth labels carefully — onion and garlic are extremely common base ingredients
Cool before serving, as with any liquid, to avoid burns

Sources

General veterinary toxicology consensus, cross-referenced against the Merck Veterinary Manual and ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center food hazard references. See How We Source This for our methodology.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for veterinary advice.