Bone Broth for Dogs — Benefits and How to Make It

Why Bone Broth Has Become So Popular for Senior Dogs

Bone broth has gone from a kitchen staple to a pet nutrition trend, and unlike many trends, this one has genuine substance behind it. For senior dogs especially, bone broth offers a combination of benefits that few other single foods can match: hydration, joint-supporting compounds, appealing flavor that encourages eating, and gentle nutrients that are easy on aging digestive systems.

Whether you make it at home or buy a product formulated specifically for dogs, bone broth can be a valuable addition to your senior dog's routine. This guide covers what makes it beneficial, how to use it effectively, and what to look for when choosing a product.

The Real Benefits of Bone Broth

Hydration Support

Dehydration is a common and often underrecognized concern in senior dogs. Their thirst drive naturally diminishes with age, and conditions like kidney disease, medications, and reduced mobility can all contribute to insufficient water intake. Bone broth provides a flavorful liquid that most dogs eagerly consume, effectively increasing their fluid intake without any coaxing required.

Adding bone broth to meals or offering it between meals can meaningfully increase your senior dog's daily fluid consumption. This supports kidney function, aids digestion, and helps maintain healthy skin and tissue hydration.

Joint-Supporting Compounds

When bones, cartilage, and connective tissue are simmered for an extended period, they release several compounds that support joint health:

• Collagen and gelatin: Collagen is the primary protein in connective tissue, and gelatin is its cooked form. Both provide amino acids like glycine and proline that support cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
• Glucosamine: A building block of cartilage that is also found in many dedicated joint supplements.
• Chondroitin sulfate: Helps cartilage retain water and resist compression, providing cushioning in joints.
• Hyaluronic acid: A component of joint fluid that contributes to lubrication and shock absorption.

While the concentrations of these compounds in bone broth vary and may not match therapeutic supplement doses, regular consumption provides a natural, bioavailable source of joint-supporting nutrition.

Digestive Gentleness

The gelatin in bone broth may help soothe and protect the lining of the digestive tract. For senior dogs with sensitive stomachs, recovering from illness, or transitioning to a new food, bone broth provides nourishment in an easy-to-digest form. The amino acid glycine, abundant in bone broth, is involved in the production of bile acids and digestive enzymes.

Appetite Encouragement

The rich aroma and savory taste of bone broth can entice even the pickiest senior dog. Pouring warm broth over kibble or mixing it with wet food transforms an ordinary meal into something more appealing. For dogs with diminished sense of smell, the strong scent of warm broth can stimulate interest in eating when nothing else seems to work.

Nutrient Density

Bone broth provides minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in a form that is readily absorbed. It also contains amino acids including glycine (which supports liver detoxification and sleep quality), proline (important for skin and connective tissue), and arginine (which supports immune function).

How to Make Bone Broth for Your Dog

Making bone broth at home is straightforward and allows you to control exactly what goes into it. Here is a basic method:

Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds of raw beef marrow bones, knuckle bones, chicken feet, or a combination
• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (helps extract minerals from bones)
• Enough filtered water to cover the bones by 2 inches
• Optional: a few carrots or celery stalks for added flavor (no onions or garlic)

Slow Cooker Method

1. Place bones in the slow cooker and add apple cider vinegar and water.
2. Let sit for 30 minutes before turning on the heat (this allows the acid to begin drawing minerals from the bones).
3. Cook on low for 12-24 hours. Beef bones benefit from longer cooking (up to 24 hours), while poultry bones need only 12-16 hours.
4. Strain through a fine mesh strainer. Discard all bones and any solid fragments completely. Cooked bones are dangerous for dogs.
5. Let cool, then refrigerate. A layer of fat will solidify on top; you can leave it as a seal or remove it for a lower-fat broth.
6. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in portions for up to 4 months.

Signs of a Good Broth

Well-made bone broth will gel when refrigerated. This gel is the gelatin that has been extracted from the bones and connective tissue, and it indicates a collagen-rich broth. It will liquefy again when warmed. If your broth does not gel, it may need more cooking time, more joints and cartilage in the mix, or less water. The broth still has value even without gelling, but the gel indicates higher collagen content.

Important Safety Notes

• Never give your dog the cooked bones. They can splinter and cause internal injury.
• Do not add onions, garlic, salt, or seasonings. These are unnecessary for dogs and some are toxic.
• Strain the broth thoroughly to remove all bone fragments.
• Let the broth cool before serving. Test the temperature on your wrist, similar to testing a baby's bottle.

Store-Bought Bone Broth for Dogs

If making bone broth from scratch is not practical for your schedule, several companies produce bone broth specifically formulated for dogs. These products are made without onions, garlic, or excess salt and are designed to be safe and nutritious for canine consumption.

What to Look For

• Made specifically for dogs (not just human bone broth relabeled)
• No onion, garlic, or excessive sodium
• Minimal ingredients: bones, water, and perhaps apple cider vinegar
• High collagen content (some brands list this on the label)
• No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors

How to Serve Bone Broth to Your Senior Dog

There are several effective ways to incorporate bone broth into your senior dog's routine:

As a Meal Topper

Pour 2-4 tablespoons of warm broth over your dog's regular food. This adds moisture, flavor, and encourages eating. It works equally well with kibble and wet food.

As a Hydration Boost

Offer a small bowl of broth between meals, especially during warm weather or if your dog is not drinking enough water. Many dogs who ignore their water bowl will eagerly lap up flavored broth.

Frozen Broth Cubes

Freeze broth in ice cube trays for convenient portioning and a cooling treat. Pop out a cube, let it thaw slightly, and add it to your dog's meal or offer it as a standalone snack. In warm weather, dogs often enjoy licking frozen broth cubes.

Recovery Aid

For senior dogs recovering from illness, surgery, or a period of not eating, bone broth provides gentle nourishment that is easy to consume and digest. It can serve as a bridge back to solid food, especially if your dog has been on a temporary fast or liquid diet.

Medication Delivery

If your senior dog resists taking pills, warm bone broth poured over food can help mask the taste and smell of medication, making the whole experience more palatable.

How Often Should You Offer Bone Broth?

Bone broth can be offered daily as a regular part of your dog's diet. Since it is a whole food rather than a concentrated supplement, there is less concern about overdoing it compared to isolated vitamins or minerals. That said, bone broth does contain calories and phosphorus, so keep portions reasonable and account for the additional calories in your dog's daily intake.

A practical approach is to offer bone broth once or twice daily, either as a meal topper or a between-meal snack. Start with smaller amounts and increase gradually to make sure your dog's digestive system tolerates it well.

Who Should Be Cautious

While bone broth is broadly safe, a few situations warrant extra care:

• Dogs with kidney disease: Bone broth contains phosphorus, which may need to be restricted in dogs with compromised kidney function. Discuss with your vet before adding it.
• Dogs on sodium-restricted diets: Even homemade broth without added salt contains some natural sodium. Dogs with heart disease or high blood pressure should have their broth intake considered within their overall sodium allowance.
• Dogs with pancreatitis: Remove the fat layer from refrigerated broth before serving to keep fat content low.

Bone broth is one of those rare additions to your senior dog's diet that is both genuinely beneficial and wonderfully simple. Whether you simmer a batch on the weekend or keep a carton in the pantry, having bone broth on hand gives you a versatile tool for improving hydration, encouraging appetite, and providing gentle, nourishing support for your aging companion.