Recently Barli had a bout of giardia so he spent a couple of days on a bland chicken and rice diet. To make it a little more flavorful, I used homemade chicken broth when cooking the rice–and even had enough left over to create some frozen treats for when he started feeling better a couple of days later. Learn how to boil chicken for your dogs to create flavorful, healthy homemade chicken broth at home (and enjoy some boiled chicken now or as a later treat)!
Homemade chicken broth is super easy to make–and a better choice for your dog than commercial chicken broth, which often contains onion, of course a no-no for dogs.
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How to Use Homemade Chicken Broth for Your Dog
You’ll find many ways to use the homemade chicken broth in your dog’s meals!
If you have a picky eater, ladle some warm (not hot) broth over your dog’s normal meal to add a flavorful and alluring touch to an everyday meal. Using broth as “gravy” is far cheaper than the bottled toppings sold for picky dogs and you’ll know just what you’re feeding your dog.
Broth is also an excellent way to soften dry dog food, perfect for older dogs and dogs with dental issues.
Boiled chicken for dogs as well as the broth is also a great dog treat, frozen in a Kong® dog toy. Place the Kong upside down in a coffee mug, using a soft treat or bit of chicken to “plug” the small end of the toy.
Pour the boiled chicken and broth into the Kong then place it in your freezer for a long-lasting, healthy dog treat once frozen. (Always monitor your dog when giving any interactive toys to make sure your dog isn’t tearing off bits of the toy.)
Homemade chicken broth is also an excellent addition to chicken and rice, a dish recommended by many veterinarians when your dog is having tummy troubles.
How to Store Homemade Chicken Broth
Homemade chicken broth can be stored in your refrigerator for three or four days but if you have extra broth, ice trays are a handy way to freeze homemade chicken broth.
Once frozen, store cubes in zippered plastic bags for easy use in future recipes–or even as a quick frozen dog treat by themselves.
Can’t Make Homemade?
Don’t have time for homemade? You can purchase chicken broth for your dog at the store–but take the time to read the label!
Look for preferably unsalted or at least low sodium broth–and don’t buy any broth that contains onions or garlic.
Boiling Chicken to Make Your Own Broth for Dogs
Homemade Chicken Broth for Your Dog
Ingredients
- One 3-pound chicken
- Water
Instructions
- Place chicken in a large stockpot and cover with three inches of water.
- Bring to a boil then simmer for 1 hour.
- Remove chicken from the water and reserve for another recipe.
- Discard all cooked chicken bones because cooked bones are a splintering and choking hazard for dogs.
- Refrigerate broth to skim off fat before freezing.
Want to Simplify the Recipe?
You can use frozen deboned, skinless chicken breasts to make this recipe even easier.
Chicken breasts are less fatty than thighs and other chicken parts, easier if your dog is experiencing tummy upsets. And by using deboned chicken, you won’t have the worry of trying to find stray chicken bones in the broth!
Linda Y
Saturday 2nd of October 2021
Why vinegar when boiling chicken bones
Paris Permenter & John Bigley
Saturday 2nd of October 2021
Vinegar helps draw the minerals out the bones! - Paris
SCLondon
Friday 25th of June 2021
Thanks for sharing! My dogs love chicken broth - I make it with bones or chicken carcasses. I find that the more cartilage/tendons/joints the better the broth. Chicken wings and chicken feet would be perfect. I stick it all in the slow cooker, with half a cup of white vinegar and leave it for 24 hours - then strain the liquid from the bones. It turns to a jelly in the fridge and my dogs go nuts for their food when it is spooned over the top.
SCLondon
Friday 25th of June 2021
Should have said - half a cup of white vinegar AND enough water to cover the whole lot!
Mick Elliott
Tuesday 25th of May 2021
The majority of the bones that are left over can be used and not discarded, simply put them in a blender with some water or stock and blitz them this makes a nice liquid to put on your dogs food.
Wakko
Wednesday 3rd of March 2021
Do you serve the chicken broth cold or do you mildly warm it up for the dog?
How much is too much chicken broth for a dog to have daily?
Kimber Lewis
Monday 15th of March 2021
1/4 cup is allowed. Make sure u stained the broth, you don't want bones. Serve room tempt is fine.
*** I only reply to questions fir ones that I experienced myself and have paid those costs and no what to do. Not making any of this up. Just trying to get fur baby better without u having to pay a vet bill. If not eating that firt day please go see your vet or call and they will tell u if pooch need a visit.
carol painter
Friday 8th of January 2021
my dog hasnt eaten for days , been back and forth to the vet, still cant get her to eat , im thinking of making a broth , can i make it with chicken breast
Kimber Lewis
Monday 15th of March 2021
Boiled chicken and rice will do perfect and just boil the rice in the chicken water. You want your pooch get some food in tummy and this is easy on their tummy. And just sure pooch has fresh water
Sam S
Monday 22nd of February 2021
I have the same question.. I'm going with an educated guess as chicken is chicken generally...not including unnatural raising of meat, of course. Yes! I will use any chicken: Breast or leg, whole or thigh.. as long as it is broth only.