By Fabian Barcelo, Founder & Veterinary Scientist
Vet-reviewed
Bone broth has gone from kitchen staple to wellness trend, and dog owners have noticed. Search for it and you will find bold promises about joints, gut health and glossy coats, alongside plenty of cheerful photos of dogs lapping it up. At Innovet, we think the more useful question is a quieter one: what does bone broth for dogs actually do, what could go wrong, and how do you offer it without causing a problem? Here is the plain version.
Key takeaways
- Bone broth for dogs is very popular, but controlled research in dogs is thin. Most of the benefit is practical: flavour, moisture and a way to tempt a fussy eater.
- Collagen, gelatin and glucosamine levels vary enormously from batch to batch and are not standardised, so no broth should be treated as a joint or gut treatment.
- Onion and garlic are toxic to dogs and are common in human stock and many store-bought broths. Salt, seasoning and fat are the other big problems.
- Cooked bones must never be given to the dog. If you make broth at home, strain out every piece of bone and skim the fat.
- Broth is a topper, not a meal. A dog that is off food for 24 hours or more, vomiting or lethargic needs a vet, not a bowl of broth.
01What bone broth is, and why dogs love it
Bone broth is made by simmering bones, and often some connective tissue, in water for a long time. The slow cooking draws out flavour, some minerals and gelatin, which is why a good broth sets into a jelly when it is chilled. Human cooks use it as a base for soups. Dog owners use it as a savoury, aromatic liquid that makes dry food or a bland meal smell far more interesting.
That last point is where the genuine value sits. Dogs are led by smell, and a warm, meaty liquid poured over a meal can turn a reluctant eater into an enthusiastic one. If you have ever wondered can dogs have bone broth, the short answer is that plain, properly prepared broth is generally fine for many healthy dogs in small amounts. The details matter a great deal, and they are what the rest of this article is about.
02What the evidence actually shows
Bone broth for dogs is hugely popular and has very little controlled research behind it. You will see claims about joint support, gut lining, skin and coat. We have not found good canine trials that test homemade or commercial broth for any of those outcomes, so we would not present them as established.
The ingredients people point to, collagen, gelatin and glucosamine, are real components of connective tissue. But the amounts that end up in a pot of broth depend on the bones used, the cooking time, the water ratio and even how it was strained. They vary hugely from batch to batch and are not standardised, so you cannot know what your dog is getting. If joint support is your goal, our guide to collagen for dogs sets out what is and is not known about that ingredient in a more measured way.
If you cannot say how much of an ingredient is in the bowl, you cannot say it is doing anything.Innovet
What broth reliably offers is practical: palatability, a little extra moisture, and a way to make food appealing. That is a perfectly good reason to use it, and it is one we are comfortable standing behind.
03The real risks to know about
Most of the problems with bone broth for dogs come from the human kitchen. Stock built for people is designed to taste good to people, and several of the usual ingredients are unsafe for dogs.
Onion and garlic
Both are toxic to dogs and are common in human stock and store-bought broth. Check every label and never add them at home.
Salt and seasoning
Human broths are often high in sodium. Added herbs, spices and flavourings are not needed and can cause trouble.
Fat and pancreatitis
A rich, fatty broth can be a problem for dogs prone to pancreatitis. Skim the fat well and ask your vet if your dog has a history.
Calories add up
Broth is not calorie free. Small dogs especially can tip over their daily allowance if it is added on top of meals.
There is also the question of the bones themselves. Cooked bones can splinter, which can injure a dog’s mouth, throat or gut. That is why every piece of bone must be strained out of homemade broth, and cooked bones should never be given to the dog as a chew. Some people also raise concerns about heavy metals such as lead accumulating in bones. That concern is debated and the evidence is limited, but it is a sensible reason to use quality ingredients from a trusted source rather than anything of unknown origin.
04Safe broth versus broth to avoid
A simple comparison makes the difference clear. When in doubt, the plainer the broth, the better.
Safe for most dogs
- Plain broth with no salt or seasoning
- Bones strained out completely, fat skimmed off
- Made from quality, trusted ingredients
- A pet broth with a short, clear ingredient list
- A spoonful or two, counted in daily calories
Avoid
- Onion, garlic, leek or chives in any form
- Salted, seasoned or “flavoured” human stock
- Xylitol or other sweeteners in the ingredient list
- Fatty, unskimmed broth for dogs prone to pancreatitis
- Cooked bones given to the dog, or bones left in the pot
05How to read a store-bought broth label
Shop-bought options fall into two groups: broths made for pets and broths made for people. The pet versions are usually the easier choice, but you should still read the label. For a human product, the label tells you whether it is suitable at all, and often it is not.
Ingredient list
It should be short and recognisable. No onion, garlic, leek, chives or unnamed “natural flavours”.
Sodium
Look for low or no added salt. If sodium is not stated, treat that as a reason to choose another product.
Sweeteners
No xylitol or other sweeteners. Xylitol is dangerous to dogs, and it should never be in anything you pour over a meal.
Made for dogs
A product made for pets, with a clear serving guide by body weight, removes most of the guesswork.
The same label-reading habit applies to any product you add to your dog’s diet. Our guide to dog supplements in Australia and our broader pet supplements guide walk through how we think about ingredients, amounts and sourcing.
06How to make homemade bone broth for dogs safely
If you would rather make it yourself, the principles are simple. Homemade bone broth for dogs works best when it is as plain as possible. Think of it as a flavoured liquid rather than a recipe.
Choose plain bones from a safe source
Use raw or plain bones from a trusted butcher or supplier. Leave out onion, garlic, herbs, salt, stock cubes and anything seasoned.
Simmer gently in water
Cover the bones with water and simmer on low for several hours. Keep it plain and do not add flavourings.
Strain out every bone
Pour through a fine sieve and remove all bones and bits of bone. Throw the cooked bones away where your dog cannot reach them.
Cool and skim the fat
Chill the broth so the fat rises and sets, then lift it off. A leaner broth is kinder to the gut and the waistline.
Store it properly
Refrigerate for a few days or freeze in small portions, such as ice cube trays, so you only thaw what you need.
If you are not confident about where your bones came from, or your dog has a medical condition, a pet-specific broth is the simpler route. Ask your vet if you are unsure what suits your dog.
07How to serve it, and when it can help
Keep servings small. A spoonful or two over your dog’s usual meal is enough for most dogs, and small dogs need less. Count it in the daily calories and introduce it gradually, because a sudden richness change can upset a sensitive stomach. Our piece on sensitive stomachs in dogs and cats explains why gradual changes matter.
Broth earns its place in a few situations. Some owners use it to tempt a dog that is picky, and it can be a gentle option for bland meals, such as when owners ask about bone broth for dogs with upset stomach. In those cases it is a sweetener for the bowl, not a treatment. We cover the wider toolkit in our guide to dog food toppers, and our article on what to do when your dog is not eating goes deeper on appetite dips. For dogs coming back from an operation, post-surgery recovery nutrition is worth a read, and older dogs have their own needs, covered in senior dog and cat nutrition.
08Broth or a nutritional topper?
Honest comparison time. Broth is a flavour and moisture enhancer. It is not a complete source of nutrition, and its protein, vitamin and mineral content is inconsistent. A formulated topper is a different tool. Health Boost+ is an enriched nutritional drink or meal topper for dogs and cats. It is milk-flavoured, lactose-free and gentle on sensitive stomachs, and it provides easily digestible protein along with vitamins and minerals, which can be helpful during appetite dips. Some owners use broth for the aroma and a topper like this for the nutrition. Either way, neither is a replacement for a complete and balanced diet or for veterinary care.
09When to see your vet instead
Broth is for tempting a healthy or mildly fussy dog. It is not for managing illness. See your vet if your dog has not eaten for 24 hours or more, is vomiting, has diarrhoea that persists, seems lethargic or is simply not themselves. A bowl of broth can mask a problem that needs prompt attention.
This article is general nutritional information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Pet supplements and toppers support everyday nutrition. They do not treat, cure or prevent disease.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs have bone broth?
Yes, plain bone broth can be a safe occasional topper for most healthy dogs, provided it contains no onion, garlic, added salt or seasoning and every piece of bone has been strained out. It is a flavour and moisture enhancer rather than a complete food. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a history of pancreatitis.
Is bone broth good for dogs with an upset stomach?
Many owners offer a spoonful of plain, low fat, unsalted broth over bland food to tempt a dog that is a little off. The evidence for any stomach benefit is limited, and broth is not a treatment. If your dog is vomiting, has diarrhoea, or has not eaten for 24 hours or more, see your vet rather than relying on broth.
Can I give my dog human bone broth or stock?
Usually not. Human stock and broth commonly contain onion, garlic, high levels of salt and seasoning, all of which are unsuitable for dogs. Onion and garlic are toxic to dogs. If you use a store-bought product, read the whole label and choose one made for pets, or one with no salt, onion, garlic or other flavourings.
How do I make homemade bone broth for dogs safely?
Simmer plain bones from a trusted source in water with no seasoning, then strain out every bone and skim off the fat once it cools. Refrigerate for a few days or freeze in small portions. Never feed the cooked bones to your dog, because they can splinter.
How much bone broth can I give my dog?
A spoonful or two over their regular meal is plenty for most dogs, and less for small dogs. Broth contains calories and sometimes fat, so count it in the daily total rather than adding it on top. Introduce it slowly, and ask your vet if you are unsure.
Can bone broth cause pancreatitis in dogs?
A fatty broth can be a risk, particularly for dogs that have had pancreatitis before or are prone to it. Skim the fat thoroughly and talk to your vet before offering broth to a dog with a history of pancreatic problems.
Is bone broth better than a nutritional topper?
They do different jobs. Broth adds flavour and moisture but is not a reliable source of complete nutrition. A formulated topper such as Health Boost+ adds easily digestible protein, vitamins and minerals. Neither replaces veterinary care or a complete and balanced diet.
A gentle topper for fussy or flat appetites
Milk-flavoured and lactose-free, Health Boost+ adds easily digestible protein, vitamins and minerals to your dog’s meal.
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