What is the best broth for dogs with upset stomach? - The Environmental Literacy Council (2025)

The best broth for a dog experiencing an upset stomach is a low-sodium, plain chicken or bone broth specifically formulated for dogs, or a homemade version carefully prepared without harmful additives. The goal is to provide gentle, hydrating, and easily digestible nutrition to help soothe their digestive system and encourage them to eat and drink. Store-bought broths often contain ingredients that can be harmful to dogs, like onions, garlic, excessive salt, preservatives, and artificial flavorings. Thus, it is important to choose carefully or create your own.

Understanding Your Dog’s Upset Stomach

An upset stomach in dogs can manifest in various ways, including vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, and pacing. These symptoms can stem from various causes such as dietary indiscretion, stress, or underlying medical conditions. It’s crucial to monitor your dog’s symptoms and seek veterinary care if they worsen or persist. Mild cases can often be managed at home with a bland diet and suitable liquids like appropriate broth.

Why Broth is Beneficial

Broth can be a fantastic tool in managing your dog’s upset stomach because of several key benefits:

• Hydration: When dogs are vomiting or have diarrhea, they are at risk of dehydration. Broth, especially when warm, is palatable and encourages fluid intake.
• Ease of Digestion: The liquid nature of broth makes it easy to digest, putting less strain on an already irritated digestive system.
• Palatability: When a dog is not feeling well, their appetite may diminish. The flavorful nature of broth can entice them to eat.
• Nutritional Support: Broth, particularly bone broth, contains valuable nutrients, like collagen and amino acids, that help support gut health and overall recovery.

Choosing the Right Broth: What to Look For

Selecting the appropriate broth for your dog’s upset stomach requires careful attention to ingredients:

Avoid Harmful Ingredients

• Onions and Garlic: These are toxic to dogs and should be strictly avoided. Check labels thoroughly.
• High Salt Content: Excessive sodium is harmful to dogs and can exacerbate dehydration. Look for low-sodium or no-salt-added options.
• Artificial Flavors and Preservatives: These can be harmful and unnecessary. Opt for natural broths with minimal ingredients.
• Yeast Extract: While not always toxic, yeast extract can cause stomach upset in some dogs.

Ideal Ingredients

• Chicken or Beef Stock: Real chicken or beef stock forms the base of the broth.
• Bone Broth: The process of making bone broth extracts vital nutrients, making it particularly beneficial for gut health.
• Limited Ingredient Lists: The fewer ingredients, the better. A clean ingredient list indicates less likelihood of hidden toxins.
• Human-Grade Quality: Choose products labeled as human-grade, indicating higher quality standards.

Recommended Broth Options

Homemade Bone or Chicken Broth

Making your own broth is often the safest and healthiest way to ensure you know exactly what your dog is consuming. To make bone broth for your dog, you would:

1. Simmer chicken or beef bones in water for several hours (4-24 hours).
2. Add a small amount of dog-safe vegetables like carrots or celery.
3. Do not add salt, onions, or garlic.
4. Strain the broth to remove the solids and allow it to cool.
5. Skim any excess fat from the top once it’s cooled.

Pet-Specific Broth Brands

If making broth isn’t feasible, some commercially produced brands are specifically made for dogs:

• Stella & Chewy’s Cage-Free Chicken Bone Broth: This is often recommended due to its high quality and limited, dog-safe ingredient list.
• Nature’s Logic Dehydrated Beef Broth: This option provides a very basic recipe and is highly regarded for only containing bone broth.
• Other dog-specific bone broth brands: Seek out brands labeled for dogs with minimal additives.

Store-Bought Broth: Proceed with Caution

While some human-grade broths may be acceptable, they must be carefully scrutinized. Swanson Low-Sodium broth, for example, has been mentioned, but it does contain natural flavoring, yeast extract, and onion juice concentrate, which, while low, may be problematic for some dogs. Other standard brands should be avoided because they typically contain high salt and potentially harmful additives. Always check labels and when in doubt, opt for a dog-specific or homemade option.

How to Use Broth for an Upset Stomach

1. Serve it Warm: Slightly warm broth is more palatable and soothing.
2. Offer in Small Amounts: Start with a small amount to gauge your dog’s reaction and avoid overwhelming their stomach.
3. Mix with Bland Food: If your dog is also eating, add a small amount of broth to a bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice or sweet potato.
4. Encourage Hydration: Provide fresh water along with the broth.
5. Monitor Your Dog: Keep an eye on your dog’s symptoms and consult a vet if there is no improvement or if conditions worsen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I give my dog Swanson chicken broth?

Low-sodium Swanson broth can be given but cautiously because it contains natural flavoring, yeast extract, and onion juice concentrate which is not ideal for dogs. Look for dog-specific or homemade options instead.

2. Is store-bought bone broth okay for dogs?

Most store-bought bone broth for humans is not ideal for dogs, as it often contains harmful ingredients like onions, garlic, excessive salt, and artificial flavors. It’s best to choose a bone broth made specifically for dogs or to make your own.

3. What is the safest chicken broth for dogs?

The safest chicken broth for dogs is either homemade with safe ingredients and no salt, onions or garlic or a dog-specific brand like Stella & Chewy’s.

4. What should I avoid in broth for dogs?

Avoid onions, garlic, high salt, artificial flavors, preservatives, and yeast extract in broths for dogs. These can be toxic or cause further stomach upset.

5. How do I reset my dog’s upset stomach?

To reset your dog’s upset stomach, provide a bland diet (boiled chicken or white fish with white rice or sweet potato) after a short fasting period (12-24 hours). You can also add a bit of broth for extra hydration and flavor.

6. What are signs of an upset stomach in dogs?

Signs of an upset stomach in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, pacing, and loss of appetite. If symptoms are severe or persist, seek veterinary care.

7. Can dogs have chicken bouillon broth?

Chicken bouillon can provide extra hydration due to its liquid nature and salt content, but ensure it is low in sodium and contains no harmful ingredients. Use it cautiously for dogs with diarrhea.

8. Is powdered bone broth good for dogs?

Powdered bone broth designed for dogs can be good for gut health and joints. However, always verify the ingredients and choose brands with simple recipes and natural ingredients.

9. What is the difference between Swanson chicken broth and chicken stock?

Chicken stock is made by simmering bones and meat, while chicken broth is made primarily from meat and vegetables. Stock tends to be richer and more flavorful due to a longer simmering time.

10. Is Swanson chicken broth considered bone broth?

Swanson® Chicken Bone Broth is made from real chicken bones with added vegetables and herbs. It is different from traditional broth by being simmered longer to extract collagen.

11. Is chicken stock the same as chicken broth?

No, chicken stock and chicken broth are not the same. Stock is made with bones and simmered for longer, while broth is typically made with meat and vegetables.

12. Can I give my dog peanut butter?

Yes, but only if it is xylitol-free. Xylitol is toxic to dogs and is often used as an artificial sweetener in some peanut butter brands.

13. Is baking soda safe for dogs?

No, baking soda is not safe for dogs and can be toxic, causing stomach upset and other health issues.

14. What type of honey is best for dogs?

Use raw, unfiltered, locally sourced honey for medicinal purposes. Processed honey may not have the same health benefits.

15. Can I give my dog beef broth?

Most store bought beef broths should be avoided due to high salt content, preservatives, yeast and natural flavors. Only provide if the brand is dog-specific with a natural recipe, or homemade with no harmful ingredients.

By being informed and proactive, you can effectively use broth to support your dog through an upset stomach. Always remember that a dog’s health is your responsibility, and when in doubt, a vet’s opinion is a must.