Ever caught your dog staring at you with those big, hopeful eyes while you’re cooking chicken? Yeah, me too. That’s exactly why I started making homemade chicken broth dog treats in my own kitchen, and honestly, it changed snack time forever.
If you’ve been searching for a treat that’s actually good for your furry best friend—not just something that looks cute on Instagram—you’re in the right place. I’ve tested this recipe more times than I’d like to admit (my dog was thrilled about that, by the way), and I’m going to walk you through everything: the ingredients, the process, the mistakes to dodge, and some fun twists you can try.
What Are Homemade Chicken Broth Dog Treats?
So what exactly am I talking about here? Homemade chicken broth dog treats are simple, bite-sized snacks made primarily from unsalted, low-sodium chicken broth, often combined with a binding ingredient like flour, oats, or gelatin. They’re baked or frozen into small shapes your dog can enjoy as a healthy reward, a hydration boost, or just a way to say “I love you” in dog language.
Unlike store-bought treats packed with preservatives, fillers, and mystery ingredients, these treats give you full control over what goes into your pup’s belly. That matters a lot, especially if your dog has food sensitivities or you’re just trying to cut back on processed junk.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the core ingredients you’ll be working with:
Key Terms to Know
Bone broth vs. chicken broth
: Bone broth is simmered longer (often 12-24 hours) to extract collagen and minerals from bones, giving it a thicker, gel-like texture. Chicken broth is simmered shorter and is thinner. Both work for this recipe, but bone broth adds extra joint-supporting nutrients.
Low-sodium
: Broth with little to no added salt. This is non-negotiable for dog treats since too much sodium can cause serious health issues in dogs.
Gelatin
: A protein derived from collagen, often used to help broth treats set into a firm, chewable texture, especially for frozen versions.
Binder
: An ingredient like oat flour, whole wheat flour, or pumpkin puree that holds the treat together during baking.
Aromatics (to avoid)
: Onion, garlic, and chives are common broth flavorings for humans but are toxic to dogs. Always double-check labels or make your broth from scratch.
Why Make These Treats at Home?
I get it, buying treats is easier. But here’s the thing: most store-bought “chicken broth” treats contain onion powder, excessive salt, or artificial flavoring that sneaks past you if you don’t read labels closely. Making them yourself means:
- You control the sodium content completely
- You avoid hidden allergens like soy, corn, or wheat if your dog needs a special diet
- You know exactly how fresh the ingredients are
- You can adjust the recipe for puppies, seniors, or dogs with health conditions
- It’s genuinely cheaper than buying premium treats in bulk
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 cups low-sodium, unsalted chicken broth (homemade or store-bought without onion/garlic)
- 2 cups oat flour or whole wheat flour (use oat flour for grain-sensitive pups)
- 1 egg (helps bind everything together)
- 2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin powder (optional, for frozen treats)
- Optional mix-ins: shredded cooked chicken, mashed pumpkin, or grated carrot for texture and nutrients
Step-by-Step: How to Make Homemade Chicken Broth Dog Treats
Alright, let’s get into the actual process. I’ll give you two methods here—baked and frozen—because both are popular, and honestly, which one you pick depends on your dog’s preference (and the weather, frozen treats are amazing in summer).
Method 1: Baked Chicken Broth Treats
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk the egg, then slowly pour in 2 cups of the chicken broth while stirring.
- Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a dough forms. It should feel similar to biscuit dough, not too sticky, not too dry.
- If it’s too wet, add a bit more flour. Too dry, add a splash more broth.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use a small cookie cutter (bone shapes are fun, but any shape works) to cut out your treats.
- Place them on the baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden and firm to the touch.
- Turn off the oven and let the treats sit inside for an additional 30-60 minutes to crisp up further. This step really matters for a longer shelf life.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before storing or serving.
Method 2: Frozen Chicken Broth Treats (No Bake)
- Pour 2 cups of chicken broth into a saucepan over low heat.
- Sprinkle the gelatin powder over the broth and whisk until fully dissolved (don’t let it boil, gelatin can lose its setting power at high heat).
- If you’re adding shredded chicken, pumpkin, or carrot, stir it in now.
- Pour the mixture into silicone molds (ice cube trays work great for small dogs).
- Place the molds in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or until fully solid.
- Pop them out and store in a freezer-safe bag.
Tips for Success
- Always taste your broth (yes, really) before using it. If it tastes salty to you, it’s way too salty for your dog.
- Use a food thermometer if you’re simmering your own broth from raw chicken; it needs to reach 165°F to be safe.
- Cut treats small if you have a toy breed. Big chunks can be a choking hazard or just overwhelming for tiny mouths.
- Label your frozen treats with the date. They’re best used within 2 weeks from the freezer.
- Store baked treats in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for about a week at room temperature, or up to 3 months in the freezer.
- If your dog has kidney issues, chat with your vet before adding broth treats to their diet since phosphorus and protein levels can matter a lot there.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Sodium overload
: Many people grab regular chicken broth off the shelf without checking labels. Always choose “no salt added” or make your own from scratch. Even small amounts of excess sodium can add up if treats are given daily.
Using broth with onion or garlic
: This one sneaks up on a lot of pet owners because these ingredients are common in “flavor-boosted” broths. Read the ingredient list every single time, even if you’ve bought the same brand before (recipes change).
Skipping the gelatin in frozen treats
: Without gelatin, your frozen treats will basically just be flavored ice, which melts fast and gets messy. Gelatin gives it that chewy, treat-like texture dogs love.
Overbaking
: Leaving treats in too long dries them out completely and can make them rock hard. Keep an eye on the clock and check for a light golden color rather than deep brown.
Not cooling completely before storage
: Storing warm treats traps moisture inside the container, which can lead to mold forming faster than you’d expect.
Variations You Can Try
Once you’ve got the basic recipe down, it’s really easy to switch things up depending on what your dog likes or needs:
- Pumpkin chicken broth treats – Add ½ cup pumpkin puree to the baked dough for extra fiber, great for dogs with digestive sensitivity.
- Peanut butter swirl – Mix a tablespoon of unsweetened, xylitol-free peanut butter into the frozen version for a richer flavor.
- Beef broth version – Swap chicken broth for low-sodium beef broth if your dog prefers a different protein.
- Turmeric boost – Add a pinch of turmeric powder to the baked dough for its anti-inflammatory properties (great for senior dogs with joint stiffness).
- Frozen broth cubes with veggies – Add finely chopped green beans or blueberries to the frozen mixture for a fun textured treat.
- Grain-free option – Replace flour with a mix of chickpea flour and coconut flour for dogs with grain allergies.
A Quick Word on Portion Sizes
I know it’s tempting to hand these out like candy, but treats should only make up about 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. For a small dog under 20 pounds, one or two small baked treats a day is plenty. Medium to large dogs can handle a few more, but always factor treats into their overall diet to avoid unwanted weight gain.
Outro
Making homemade chicken broth dog treats isn’t complicated, and honestly, once you’ve done it once, you’ll wonder why you ever paid for the store-bought stuff. You get full control over the ingredients, your dog gets a treat that’s actually good for their body, and that tail-wagging excitement when you pull the tray out of the oven? Worth every minute of prep time.
Give this recipe a shot, tweak it based on what your pup loves, and don’t be afraid to experiment with the variations I mentioned. At the end of the day, homemade chicken broth dog treats are one of the simplest ways to show your dog some extra love, one paw-approved bite at a time.