Looking for an easy way to give your dog’s health a little extra support? The answer might be sitting in your stock pot.
“A wonderful way to keep your dog in tip-top condition is to introduce bone broth to their meals,” says Nikki Kim, co-founder of the Lekker Barkery. “Beyond its delicious flavour, bone broth is a nutritional powerhouse.”
Bone broth is packed with collagen and essential minerals, which support healthy joints, nourish the skin and coat, and promote a healthy digestive tract.
“It’s also a perfect way to give a little extra love when they’re feeling under the weather or simply need a hydration boost,” she adds.
What is bone broth for dogs?
Put simply, bone broth is a liquid stock made from animal bones that are simmered over a long period, sometimes for up to 48 hours.
“This process extracts the nutrients, minerals, and collagen, giving the broth the status of a true superfood,” explains Nikki.
But not all bone broth is suitable for dogs.
“You cannot simply use any store-bought broth; the varieties we use for our own soups and stews are often loaded with spices, onions, garlic, and salt, which are not suitable for your furkid’s diet.”
This means the broth you make for yourself should not automatically end up in your dog’s bowl.
How to introduce bone broth to your dog
When introducing bone broth, Nikki recommends starting gradually.
“It is rich in protein and minerals, so it is important to feed it as a supplement, not a replacement for a balanced, complete diet,” she says.
Keep an eye out for allergic reactions or digestive sensitivities when adding something new to your dog’s diet.
“If your dog suffers from a pre-existing health condition, always consult your vet before introducing new foods.”
Can puppies have bone broth?
Puppies need a little more consideration.
Nikki recommends waiting until your puppy is fully established on a balanced puppy diet.
“Only introduce broth from six months of age,” she adds. “Because puppies have specific calcium/phosphorus requirements during growth, start with just 1–2 teaspoons, adjusted for breed size.”
Is homemade bone broth better?
There are plenty of ready-made options available, but Nikki says making your own gives you more control over what goes into your dog’s bowl.
“If you don’t mind the beefy whiff drifting through your kitchen for a day or two, it is a rewarding challenge.”
Making bone broth at home means you know exactly what goes into the pot and can choose the protein and ingredients yourself.
“Ensuring the final product is perfectly suited to your dog’s needs.”
Ready to try it? Nikki shares this simple recipe.
Slow-simmered comfort: A hearty bone broth recipe for dogs
Yield: 4L
Ingredients
• 1–2kg free-range beef bones or chicken carcass, ideally including feet and necks for extra collagen
• 4L water
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• A bunch of chopped fresh parsley, optional
Method
- To enhance the flavour, roast the bones on a baking tray for 30 minutes at 200°C.
- Place the bones, carrots and celery into a large stockpot.
- Add the water and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a very low simmer.
- Cook for at least 12 hours. Make sure the bones remain fully submerged, adding water as needed to maintain the level.
- Allow to cool slightly, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve, keeping only the liquid.
- Stir in the chopped parsley while the broth is still warm.
- Once completely cooled, skim off all the fat that has solidified on the surface and discard it.
How to store and serve bone broth
The longer the broth simmers, the more collagen and minerals are extracted. Once chilled, a quality broth should develop a jelly-like consistency.
While some recipes recommend vinegar to help with mineral extraction, Nikki says a long, slow simmer is just as effective. Avoiding vinegar is also safer for some dogs, including those with kidney conditions.
The broth will keep for up to five days in the fridge or six months in the freezer. Try freezing it in ice cube trays or silicone moulds to create easy individual portions.
Start with one tablespoon per day. If your dog tolerates it well, a general recommendation is around 30ml per 5kg of body weight each day.
Puppies should only be introduced to bone broth from six months old or as advised by your vet.
FAQs
Is bone broth good for dogs?
According to Nikki, bone broth contains collagen and essential minerals that support joints, skin, coat and digestive health. It can also provide extra hydration.
Can dogs eat store-bought bone broth?
Not all store-bought broth is suitable for dogs. Products intended for humans can contain spices, onions, garlic and salt.
How much bone broth should I give my dog?
Start with one tablespoon a day. If well tolerated, the general guideline provided by Nikki is around 30ml per 5kg of body weight daily.
Can puppies have bone broth?
Nikki recommends introducing bone broth only from six months old once the puppy is established on a balanced puppy diet. Start with 1–2 teaspoons, adjusted according to breed size.
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