Plain Bone Broth Kibble Softener

Ingredients

• About 1 lbRaw beef marrow or chicken bonesPlain, unseasoned bones. All bones are strained out and discarded at the end - cooked bones splinter and are never fed to a dog.
• Enough to cover the bones by about 2 inchesWater
• 1 tablespoon (optional)Apple cider vinegarHelps draw minerals from the bone during the simmer. Plain vinegar only - no seasoned or flavored blends.

Steps

1. READ THIS FIRST: do not use store-bought broth, stock, bouillon cubes, or 'bone broth for dogs' of unknown recipe unless you have read the full ingredient list. Most supermarket broths contain onion, onion powder, garlic, garlic powder, or 'natural flavors' that may include them, plus a great deal of salt. Onion and garlic damage a dog's red blood cells, and a 2-7 lb Yorkie needs only a very small amount to be affected. If the label lists onion or garlic in any form, or you cannot tell, do not use it.
2. Put the plain bones in a pot, cover with water by about 2 inches, and add the optional tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Add nothing else: no salt, no bouillon, no onion, no garlic, no celery salt, no herb blends, no seasoning of any kind.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a bare simmer and cook covered for 12-24 hours, topping up with water as needed.
4. Strain the broth through a fine sieve and discard every bone and fragment. Never let your dog have the cooked bones - they splinter and can cause choking or gut perforation.
5. Chill the strained broth in the fridge, then lift off and discard the solid fat layer from the top; the fat is rich and unnecessary for a small dog.
6. Warm a spoonful to just above room temperature and stir it into your Yorkie's kibble. Freeze the rest in an ice-cube tray in single-serving amounts.

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze in an ice-cube tray for up to 3 months. Thaw one cube at a time and do not refreeze.

Portion guidance

A teaspoon to a tablespoon of warm broth stirred into the normal kibble is enough for a 2-7 lb Yorkie - just enough to dampen and scent the food, not to make soup. It still counts toward the ~10% daily treat budget. If your dog is off their food for more than a day or two, that is a vet conversation, not a broth problem.