Most cats do not drink enough water. A spoon of plain bone broth over their food adds moisture and flavor.
Store-bought broths almost always contain onion and garlic, which are toxic to cats. This version is just chicken, water and a splash of vinegar.
Why your cat will love this
- Adds moisture to dry food
- No onion, garlic or salt
- Freezes in tiny cubes
Ingredient notes
- Chicken backs, wings or feet Safe
Cooked, boneless dark meat has more taurine than breast.
- Apple cider vinegar
Helps draw minerals from the bones.
Bone Broth for Cats (Onion-Free)
Chicken bones and water simmered for hours, strained and skimmed.
- 1 of 3 ingredients safety-checked, 1 marked safe
- Wheat-free
- Grain-free
- Egg-free
- Dairy-free
- Peanut-free
- Freezer-Friendly
- Large Batch
- Contains: Chicken
Ingredients
Makes 32 cups
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Fine-mesh strainer
Instructions
-
Put the bones, water and vinegar in a slow cooker or stockpot.
-
Simmer on low for 12 hours, adding water if needed.
-
Strain through a fine sieve and discard every bone.
-
Chill overnight, then lift off the fat layer.
-
Freeze in ice cube trays.
Tips for success
- A good broth turns to jelly in the fridge; that is the gelatin.
- Strain twice to catch every bone fragment.
- Thaw one cube at a time and serve at room temperature.
Nutrition per 2 tbsp
- Calories
- 10 kcal
- Protein
- 1.5 g
- Fat
- 0.3 g
Storage
- Fridge 5 days
- Freezer 90 days
Skim the fat after chilling. Freeze in ice cube trays.
How much to serve
1 to 2 tablespoons over a meal, once or twice a day.
| Small cat (7 lb) | up to 2 2 tbsps a day |
|---|---|
| Average cat (10 lb) | up to 2.50 2 tbsps a day |
| Large cat (14 lb) | up to 3 2 tbsps a day |
Last updated September 4, 2026.
How to make Bone Broth for Cats
Bone Broth for Cats takes about 12 hours 10 minutes from start to finish and makes 8 cups. It is an easy recipe. You will need a slow cooker and fine-mesh strainer. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.
Ingredients and why they are here
You need 3 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for cats.
- 3 lb chicken backs, wings or feet: Cooked, boneless dark meat has more taurine than breast.
- 12 cups water
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar: Helps draw minerals from the bones.
Step-by-step instructions
- Put the bones, water and vinegar in a slow cooker or stockpot.
- Simmer on low for 12 hours, adding water if needed. Allow about 12 hours.
- Strain through a fine sieve and discard every bone.
- Chill overnight, then lift off the fat layer.
- Freeze in ice cube trays.
Tips for success
- A good broth turns to jelly in the fridge; that is the gelatin.
- Strain twice to catch every bone fragment.
- Thaw one cube at a time and serve at room temperature.
How to store it
Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Skim the fat after chilling. Freeze in ice cube trays. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.
How much to serve
1 to 2 tablespoons over a meal, once or twice a day. Each 2 tbsp has about 10 calories. Treats and toppers should stay under 10 percent of your cat’s daily calories, so cut back their regular food a little on days you serve extra.
Swaps and variations
No chicken backs? Use turkey necks. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.
Why cats love it
Adds moisture to dry food. No onion, garlic or salt. Freezes in tiny cubes.
Feeding tips for cats
Cats can be cautious with new foods. Offer a tiny amount next to something familiar, and be patient if your cat sniffs and walks away the first time. Warm refrigerated food to room temperature, since cats prefer food near body temperature. Cats with kidney, thyroid or urinary conditions may need a special diet, so ask your vet before adding new foods.
Make it ahead
To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.
What to watch for
Watch your cat’s litter box for a few days after any change. Call your vet if your cat vomits repeatedly, has diarrhea, or stops eating for more than a day, since cats that skip meals can develop liver problems quickly. If you think your cat ate something toxic, call your vet or an animal poison control line right away.
Safety notes
Strain carefully. Never give cats cooked bones. Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your cat. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is bone broth good for cats?
Plain, onion-free broth is a good way to add moisture and flavor.
Can cats have store-bought broth?
Only if it has no onion, garlic or added salt. Most do not qualify.
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