Bone Broth for Dogs: Benefits, Recipe, and Serving Guide

Bone broth has been a cornerstone of human nutrition for centuries, and it turns out our dogs can benefit from it just as much as we can. Rich in collagen, amino acids, and minerals, bone broth is one of the most nutritious and versatile supplements you can add to your dog's diet — and it's remarkably easy to make at home.

Whether you're looking to support an ageing dog's joints, encourage a fussy eater, or help a pet recover from illness, bone broth deserves a place in your pet care toolkit.

What Makes Bone Broth Special?

Bone broth isn't just flavoured water. The long, slow cooking process extracts valuable nutrients from the bones that your dog can't get from regular meat alone.

Key nutrients:

• Collagen and gelatin: Supports joint health, gut lining, and skin elasticity. When properly made, bone broth gels when cooled — that's the collagen at work.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin: Natural joint supplements extracted directly from cartilage. These are the same compounds sold as expensive supplements.
• Glycine: An amino acid that supports liver function and detoxification. Also promotes calm behaviour — many owners report their dogs are more settled after regular bone broth.
• Proline: Supports skin health and wound healing.
• Minerals: Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium in bioavailable forms your dog's body can actually absorb.
• Hyaluronic acid: From connective tissue, supports joint lubrication.

Health Benefits

Joint support

Bone broth is particularly valuable for:

• Senior dogs with arthritis or stiffness
• Large breeds prone to joint issues (German Shepherd, Labrador, Rottweiler)
• Active and working dogs who put stress on their joints
• Dogs recovering from orthopaedic surgery

The glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen work together to lubricate joints, reduce inflammation, and support cartilage repair.

Gut health

The gelatin in bone broth:

• Coats and soothes the gut lining
• Supports beneficial gut bacteria
• Helps with "leaky gut" by supporting the intestinal mucosal barrier
• Aids recovery from gastrointestinal illness, diarrhoea, or antibiotic use

Appetite stimulation

Bone broth is a secret weapon for:

• Fussy eaters — the rich aroma is irresistible to most dogs
• Senior dogs losing interest in food
• Dogs recovering from surgery or illness who need encouragement to eat
• Transitioning between food brands (pour over new kibble)

Hydration

• Dogs who don't drink enough water often happily consume bone broth
• Mix 50/50 with water for a flavoured hydration boost
• Excellent after exercise or during hot weather
• Particularly useful for senior dogs who may be mildly dehydrated

Liver support

Glycine is a key amino acid for liver detoxification. Bone broth provides it in abundance, supporting your dog's natural detox processes — especially valuable for dogs on long-term medications.

The Recipe: Slow Cooker Bone Broth

This is the simplest, most reliable method. Set it and forget it.

Ingredients:

• 1-1.5 kg bones — beef marrow bones, knuckle bones, or chicken carcasses/frames (ask your butcher — they're cheap, often $3-$5/kg)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar — helps extract minerals from the bones (you won't taste it)
• Enough water to cover the bones — approximately 2-3 litres

Optional additions:

• 1 carrot, roughly chopped
• 1 stick of celery
• 1 tablespoon turmeric (anti-inflammatory)
• Small piece of fresh ginger

DO NOT add:

• Onions or garlic (toxic to dogs)
• Salt or seasoning
• Cooked bones (raw bones only for making broth)

Method:

Place bones in slow cooker — break large bones if needed to expose the marrow

Add apple cider vinegar and water — the vinegar helps leach minerals from the bones. Cover bones by 2-3cm.

Let sit for 30 minutes — this gives the vinegar time to start working before heat is applied

Cook on LOW for 24-48 hours — yes, really. The long cook time is what extracts all the good stuff.

- Chicken bones: 24 hours is sufficient

- Beef/lamb bones: 36-48 hours for maximum extraction

Add vegetables in the last 4-6 hours if using

Cool slightly, then strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Discard all bones and solids.

Refrigerate — within 2-4 hours, it should set into a jelly. This is perfect! The jelly is concentrated gelatin.

Skim the fat — once chilled, a layer of fat will solidify on top. Remove most of it (a little fat is fine, but too much can upset the stomach).

The jiggle test:

Properly made bone broth will jiggle like jello when refrigerated. If it's still liquid after chilling, the broth is still nutritious but contains less gelatin. Next time, use more bones, less water, or cook longer.

Stovetop Method

If you don't have a slow cooker:

Place bones, vinegar, and water in a large stockpot

Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce to the lowest simmer

Cook for 12-24 hours, topping up water as needed

Skim any foam that rises to the surface

Strain, cool, and store as above

Note: The stovetop method requires more monitoring but works just as well.

Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Method

For the time-poor pet parent:

Add bones, vinegar, and water (don't exceed the max fill line)

Pressure cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours

Allow natural pressure release

Strain and cool

This produces a less gelatinous broth but still packs plenty of nutrition.

Storage

Refrigerator:

• Keeps for 5-7 days in sealed glass containers
• The fat layer on top acts as a natural seal — don't remove it until you're ready to serve

Freezer:

• Keeps for 4-6 months
• Ice cube trays: Freeze in cubes for easy portion control. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag.
• Muffin tins: For larger portions (great for big dogs)
• Silicone moulds: Paw-shaped broth cubes make serving fun
• Freezer bags: Lay flat for space-efficient storage (portion into meal-sized amounts)

Pro tip: Freeze in various sizes — small cubes for topping kibble, large portions for making into frozen treats or rehydrating during illness.

Serving Guide

How much to give:

| Dog Size | Daily Amount |

|----------|-------------|

| Small (under 10kg) | 2-4 tablespoons |

| Medium (10-25kg) | 1/4 to 1/2 cup |

| Large (25-40kg) | 1/2 to 1 cup |

| Giant (40kg+) | 1 to 1.5 cups |

Start with small amounts and increase gradually over a week to avoid digestive upset.

Ways to serve:

Kibble topper: Pour warm broth over dry food — transforms boring kibble into a gourmet meal

Frozen cubes: Drop a frozen cube into the water bowl for flavoured hydration

Frozen Kongs: Fill a Kong, freeze, and give as enrichment

Mixed with wet food: Adds nutrition and moisture

Straight up: Many dogs happily lap it from a bowl, warm or cold

Recovery food: Warm broth (not hot) is often the first thing a sick dog will accept

Medication delivery: Hide pills or powdered supplements in broth — most dogs won't notice

Temperature:

• Warm (not hot) broth is most aromatic and appealing
• Microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm gently on the stovetop
• Always test temperature before serving — should be comfortable on your wrist
• In summer, serve cold or frozen

When Bone Broth Helps Most

Senior dogs:

Ageing dogs benefit enormously from regular bone broth. The joint support, appetite stimulation, and hydration boost address three of the most common senior dog challenges simultaneously.

Post-surgery recovery:

After dental cleanings, spaying/neutering, or orthopaedic procedures, warm bone broth is often the first food your dog will accept. It's gentle on the stomach and provides protein and minerals for healing.

Digestive upset:

When your dog has had diarrhoea or vomiting, bone broth (with the fat skimmed) is an ideal transitional food. The gelatin soothes the gut while providing nutrition without taxing the digestive system.

Fussy eaters:

A tablespoon or two of warm bone broth over food can transform a reluctant eater into an enthusiastic one. The smell is powerful motivation.

During antibiotics:

Antibiotics disrupt gut bacteria. Bone broth's gelatin supports the gut lining during and after antibiotic courses.

Common Questions

Can I use store-bought bone broth?

Most store-bought bone broth is made for humans and contains onion, garlic, salt, and other seasonings that aren't ideal for dogs. If buying pre-made:

• Choose brands specifically formulated for pets
• Check ingredients for onion, garlic, and excessive sodium
• Look for the jiggle test — if it doesn't gel, it's mostly water

Some Australian pet stores now carry dog-specific bone broth, but homemade is cheaper and better.

Can cats have bone broth?

Yes! Cats can benefit from bone broth too. Use smaller portions (1-2 tablespoons) and ensure there's no onion or garlic. Many cats who don't drink enough water will happily consume bone broth.

Can puppies have bone broth?

Yes, from about 8 weeks of age. Start with very small amounts (1 teaspoon) and increase gradually. It's excellent for puppies transitioning to solid food.

Is bone broth safe for dogs with kidney disease?

Consult your vet first. Bone broth is high in phosphorus, which may need to be restricted in dogs with kidney disease.

How often should I give bone broth?

Daily is fine for most dogs. It can be a regular part of their diet, not just an occasional treat.

Making It Part of Your Routine

Many pet owners batch-cook bone broth once a month, freeze it in portions, and serve daily. It takes about 10 minutes of active time — the slow cooker does the rest.

Track your bone broth batches and serving schedule with Pet Capsule, alongside your pet's other nutritional supplements and care tasks. Your dog's joints, gut, and taste buds will thank you for making this simple addition to their diet.