A Simple Guide to Bone Broth for Dogs [Benefits, Recipes, & Types]

Feeding our pups the best of the best is often a top priority for dog owners. Due to the rise in popularity of so-called “superfoods” for humans, dog owners wonder if the same benefits humans enjoy, such as weight loss, improved energy levels, and disease risk reduction, can be passed on to our pups if they’re fed the right foods.

Like raw dog food diets and giving your dog probiotics, many pet parents praise the positive results that they notice from incorporating bone broth into their dog’s diet. Dogs generally love it because it has a hearty, meaty taste. Because of its great taste, bone broth can also be used to spice up bland dog food that you might otherwise have trouble convincing your dog to eat—such as diet dog food varieties for weight loss or special, veterinarian-formulated prescription dog food to treat conditions such as urinary tract issues, allergies, and more.

In this article, we explore more about bone broth for dogs, including whether it is as good for dogs as pet owners think it is, the potential benefits of incorporating bone broth into your dog’s diet, recipes that guide you on how to make bone broth for dogs, and much more.

Is Bone Broth Good For Dogs?

As a staple food cooked in kitchens worldwide, people have been using bone broth for centuries due to its supposed medicinal benefits, including its ability to strengthen the kidneys and liver. Modern research on the medicinal benefits of consuming bone broth for humans is limited, but it is clear that it can be a healthy food for humans, so why not give it to your dog?

Like raw diets, the research on the benefits of bone broth for dogs is mostly anecdotal, with some veterinary clinics touting its effectiveness. One thing that’s true, though, is that bone broth does contain effective nutrients and ingredients that are beneficial to your dogs' health, such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid for joint health, and glycine and proline, which are known for promoting a healthy gut environment.

Bone broth for dogs is a great way to provide additional nutrients and health benefits. Still, pet owners should exercise caution when using it as a singular treatment method for joint or digestive conditions that their dog may have. Like dog foods that contain glucosamine and other joint-supportive ingredients, bone broth isn’t likely to contain enough of these ingredients to provide enough of a difference in your dog’s joint health compared to if you incorporated a joint supplement solution into their diet.

TRI-ACTA, a joint supplement formulated to be a daily supplement to support your dog’s joint health, has guaranteed therapeutic amounts of ingredients like glucosamine (provides lubrication, cartilage support, and affects overall joint health), chondroitin (works alongside glucosamine to aid in cartilage repair and regeneration), and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM, a natural anti-inflammatory).

TRI-ACTA H.A. for Pets

Our maximum strength formula is optimally designed to accelerate the formation of cartilage, minimize inflammation, expedite the healing process, and improve joint conditions.

Learn More

Benefits of Bone Broth for Dogs

Because bone broth for dogs contains various nutrients and other beneficial ingredients, adding it to your dog’s diet may result in several benefits. These benefits include:

1. Liver support: dogs explore the world with their nose and mouths, meaning they can sometimes ingest substances they really shouldn’t. Their liver’s job is to break down potentially harmful substances and prepare them to be removed from the body via the intestines. One of the benefits of bone broth for dogs is that it supports the liver by providing high amounts of amino acids, including glycine (which supports healthy heart and liver function).
2. Boosted immune system: specific nutrients that bone broth contains, including collagen, gelatin, glycine, glucosamine, glutamine, and electrolytes, are essential for a strong immune system. If your dog has a healthy immune system, they will be better able to fight off diseases and have less hypersensitive reactions.
3. Maintains digestive health: dogs with sensitive digestive systems sometimes go through phases where their regular food seems to cause gastrointestinal upset. Substituting with bone broth can give them the antioxidants they need to restore the balance of healthy gut flora, relieve symptoms, and aid digestion.
4. Helps maintain a healthy coat: certain ingredients in bone broth, including collagen, a protein that’s naturally found in your dog’s skin and fur, help promote overall skin and coat health. In addition, as a dog ages, its natural production of collagen lessens, but bone broth can be used to continue to provide that essential nutrient.
5. Supports strong joints: while bone broth alone may not cure your pup’s joint issues, it can be a valuable addition to your dog’s diet alongside a supplement like TRI-ACTA. Overdose on natural ingredients like glucosamine for dogs isn’t possible, as your dog’s body will naturally filter out any extra. The only potential side effect from too much glucosamine in your dog’s diet is mild gastrointestinal upset.
6. Enhances hydration and appetite: dogs usually aren’t as picky with water as cats, but ensuring that your dog is adequately hydrated is important. Mixing bone broth with your dog’s kibble provides additional moisture that they may need, especially for senior dogs or dogs with urinary tract or kidney issues. Plus, bone broth can stimulate a dog’s appetite with its meaty taste, helping dogs that are reluctant to eat.

How Much Bone Broth for Dogs?

The amount of bone broth you should feed your dog daily depends on the contents of the bone broth and what else you are feeding your dog. If you’re purchasing store-bought bone broth for dogs, the packaging will list recommended feeding directions, which usually vary depending on the dog’s weight.

For example, this feeding direction list for Bones & Co. Beef Bone Broth is as follows:

• Under 20 lbs (9 kg) equals 1 oz (29.5 ml)
• 20–40 lbs (9–18 kg) equals 2 oz (59 ml)
• 50–80 lbs (22.7–36 kg) equals 4 oz (118 ml)
• 80 lbs+ (36 kg+) equals 6 oz (177.5 ml)

Common Forms of Bone Broth For Dogs

Store-bought bone broth for dogs comes in many different formulations, from liquid to powder to dog food that incorporates bone broth into its recipe. The table below lists the different forms:

Carton Dog Bone Broth vs. Pouches

While there is often little difference between the dog bone broth product inside the packaging, the packaging itself is a focus. Cartons are often recyclable, an important consideration for environmentally conscious pet owners. Pouches are generally made of plastic, less recyclable than the cardboard used in carton packaging. While carton packaging may have some plastic components, it’s usually just the lid to make it easy to open and close.

Freezing Dog Bone Broth

A typical dog bone broth, whether it's homemade or commercial, can be frozen for up to 12 months in an airtight container. For pouches or cartons, placing the package in an airtight container or freezer bag is usually a good idea to avoid any potential messes should the packaging expand as the liquid freezes.

What Kind of Bone Broth is Best for Dogs?

The best bone broth for dogs depends on the brand and manufacturing process. Some bone broth powder for dogs is made using high heat, which removes the natural, meat-based flavour. High heat can also take away protein and remove nutrients. However, bone broth for dogs that have been properly dehydrated should have the same level of nutrients compared to liquid versions. A good way to check this is by comparing brands. Generally, chicken bone broth powder for dogs (one of the most common flavours) should have at least 300 mg of potassium per serving or 50 mg for beef (another common flavour).

How To Make Bone Broth For Dogs

Making your own homemade bone broth for dogs is a great way to not only maximize your groceries but it’s also a way to save money. You can boil any type of animal bone for your dog, including duck, beef, chicken, and fish. When you boil any type of bone, the marrow within it leaks out and breaks down into gelatin. This gelatin is what contains the essential nutrients and amino acids that make up the benefits of bone broth.

How Long Should I Boil the Bones to Make Bone Broth?

The optimal length of time for boiling bones to make bone broth for dogs depends on the recipe you’re following, but you usually need to boil the bones at a low temperature for at least 5–9 hours. Most recipes, however, recommend using a slow cooker and boiling the ingredients for at least 12 hours and as much as 48 hours to ensure that the maximum amount of nutrients are extracted from the bones. For this process, a pot on the stove works just fine, but a crockpot or instant pot can also be used.

Some dog owners like to use bones that include a lot of joints in them, such as chicken feet, because joints contain more collagen. Realistically, any bone will do, so feel free to use discarded bones from your meals, but be sure to wash them thoroughly to remove any spices or seasonings that may upset your dog’s stomach.

Bone Broth for Dogs Recipe

The great thing about homemade bone broth for dogs is that you can add vegetables and other ingredients, including turmeric, to the mix that you’ve found beneficial for dogs. One key ingredient in most homemade bone broth for dogs recipes is vinegar, which is responsible for extracting the gelatin and nutrients from the bones. With regards to vinegar, a little often goes a long way, and you don’t want to add too much as it will affect the final product's taste.

With that being said, here is an easy recipe for homemade bone broth for dogs. We chose this recipe because it just needs a big pot on the stove and the recipe itself is very straightforward (The vegetable and mushroom ingredients are optional):

• Use 3–4 lbs of raw bones containing marrow (e.g., chicken, turkey, rabbit, duck, beef, pork, or oxtail)
• 3 inches of ginger root, sliced (ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and contains antioxidants)
• 2 ounces of parsley, chopped (parsley has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties)
• 4 ounces of shiitake mushrooms (has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties)
• 2 stalks of celery, chopped (a great source of fiber and potassium)
• ¼ cup of organic, raw apple cider vinegar (regular is also fine)
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped (omit this ingredient if your dog has a history of hemolytic anemia)
• 6 quarts of water

Directions for cooking:

1. Place all prepared ingredients in a large soup pot, slow cooker, or instant pot.
2. Cook on low heat for 12 to 24 hours (12 on the stove at a simmer, 24 in the slow cooker on low, or 3 to 4 hours in an instant pot).
3. Allow the finished broth to cool. Remove and discard all remaining bones (never feed cooked bones to a dog, as they can splinter and cause blockages)
4. Place cooled broth in the refrigerator and allow the fat to rise to the top. Skim the fat and discard.

The recipe notes that you can either use raw bones or cooked bones, but that cooked bones may have fewer nutrients because they’ve already been cooked.

Best Bone Broth For Dogs

If you’re not into making your own bone broth and would prefer to purchase store-bought bone broth for dogs, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations:

1. Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth Dog and Cat Meal Topper

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This broth comes in easy-to-pour packaging and is made with high-quality ingredients, including humanely farmed beef. The beef bones are slowly simmered with additional immune-boosting ingredients and superfoods like pumpkin, carrot, and turmeric. The ingredients are also free from antibiotics, growth hormones, salt, garlic (which can be harmful for some dogs), and onion. One serving is two tablespoons for every 10 lbs of body weight. Also comes in chicken flavour.

$9.99 CAD for a 12 oz pouch. Pricing as of November 2023.

2. The Honest Kitchen Daily Boosters - Beef Bone Broth

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The Honest Kitchen’s beef bone broth is a powdered version made with all-natural ingredients, including turmeric, parsley, and pumpkin. The powdered bone broth for dogs can be rehydrated using hot water (be sure to let the broth cool before serving to your dog) or be sprinkled over your dog’s kibble as a meal topper. This powdered bone broth option is made in the USA and is free from common allergens like corn, wheat, soy, chemicals, and preservatives.

$16.99 CAD for a 16 oz container. Pricing as of November 2023.

3. NOW Fresh Grain Free Turkey Stew and Bone Broth

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While NOW Fresh Stews can be served in the same way as any bone broth for dogs, it can also act as a full meal as it’s nutritionally balanced. It’s created with high-quality meats, fruits, and vegetables to provide the full gambit of antioxidants and probiotics to support a healthy immune system and digestive system and help your dog’s blood sugar levels. The turkey broth provides glucosamine and chondroitin to help with joint support as well.

Starts at $5.49 for an individual 12.5 oz carton. Pricing as of November 2023.

4. Acana Poultry Recipe In Bone Broth Canned Dog Food

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When it comes to dog food that incorporates bone broth into its recipe, Acana is a great choice. It’s crafted with 85% animal ingredients, including visible chunks of poultry alongside fruits and vegetables in a bone broth base. This food can be fed as a single meal or used as a topper for your dog’s dry kibble. Adding this bone-broth-infused food to your dog’s diet increases their hydration levels and provides them with various beneficial nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

Starts at $6.48 per can. Pricing as of November 2023.

5. Pets In The Kitchen Bone Broth

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If you’re looking for a bone broth for dogs that mimics homemade as much as possible and is effortless to serve, then the Pets In The Kitchen Bone Broth recipe for dogs is a great choice. Instead of being a liquid where you have to measure each serving, this bone broth recipe for dogs is frozen in individual cubes, making it easy to grab a cube or two to heat and incorporate into your dog’s food or simply pop it into their water or food on a hot day. This bone broth contains all-natural ingredients, including:

• Pork joint bones
• Organic apple cider
• Turmeric
• Ginger

Improving the Effectiveness of Bone Broth

Incorporating bone broth into your dog’s diet has many health benefits, including joint health support. However, the level of therapeutic ingredients in bone broth, the same as dog foods that contain joint support ingredients like glucosamine, are not enough on their own to provide therapeutic benefit to your dog’s joints.

Like eating ginger isn’t going to cure your flu, giving your dog bone broth won’t cure their joint issues. However, incorporating a supplement like TRI-ACTA or TRI-ACTA H.A. into your dog’s diet alongside bone broth is an effective way to enhance your dog’s overall joint health while making the administration even easier by dissolving it further into their food so they lap every last bit of goodness up.

The therapeutic ingredients in TRI-ACTA products are guaranteed, while in a product like bone broth, it’s hard to guarantee the level of therapeutic ingredients during the manufacturing process. TRI-ACTA contains 100% all-natural ingredients, as outlined in the table below:

TRI-ACTA H.A. for Pets

Our maximum strength formula is optimally designed to accelerate the formation of cartilage, minimize inflammation, expedite the healing process, and improve joint conditions.

Learn More

Using Bone Broth For Dogs to Entice Picky Eaters

Sometimes our pups are picky eaters, which can become an issue when you’re trying to give them essential supplements or medications. Bone broth, however, is very enticing for dogs because of its rich meaty flavour, so it’s a great tool to use to get your dog to easily consume a medication or supplement that they are otherwise reluctant to eat.

TRI-ACTA, for instance, is flavourless, which means that if you add it to bone broth, your pup won’t even know it’s there. They think they’re getting a delicious treat, you’re making sure they get their daily joint supplement, and you both win!

Summary

Nutrient-packed bone broth can support various aspects of a dog’s health, from bolstering the immune system to aiding digestion and joint health. However, while bone broth offers valuable nutrients, it’s important to understand that it shouldn’t be solely relied upon as a cure-all solution for specific health conditions.

Instead, bone broth for dogs should be viewed as a beneficial supplement alongside a well-rounded diet and targeted supplements like TRI-ACTA, which provides guaranteed therapeutic amounts of essential joint-supporting ingredients. Incorporating bone broth into a dog's diet can be a flavorful and nutritious enhancement, but it's most effective when combined with a holistic approach to canine health and wellness.

Purchase TRI-ACTA online or learn where to buy at a store near you.