Bone Broth for Dogs and Cats: Nutritional Benefits and How to Use It
By Dr. Hannah Godfrey, PhD · · Updated
Bone broth is one of the most nutrient-dense, whole-food additions you can make to your dog's or cat's bowl. Rich in collagen, amino acids, glucosamine, and electrolytes, it supports hydration, gut health, joint function, skin, coat, and immune health, making it one of the most versatile and easy-to-use supplements a pet parent can incorporate into any feeding routine.
Want an easy way to support your pet's hydration, digestion, and overall health without changing their entire diet? One of the easiest (and tastiest!) upgrades you can make to your pet's daily routine is adding bone broth to their meals.
Bone broth is hydrating, rich in nutrients, highly palatable, and incredibly versatile! Here's why it deserves a spot in your pet's bowl and how our premium bone broth products make it effortless.
What Bone Broth Is and Why It Benefits Pets
Bone broth is a nutrient-rich liquid derived from simmering bones, vegetables, and herbs in water for an extended period. The slow cooking process allows the bones to release their beneficial nutrients, resulting in a flavourful and nutritious broth.
At Tom&Sawyer, we source our meaty bones from local, Ontario farms that prioritize humane and ethical practices, ensuring that the animals are raised without hormones or antibiotics.
The Nutritional Profile of Bone Broth for Dogs and Cats
Bone broth is a powerhouse of nutrients that cater to a variety of needs for cats and dogs. It's important to note that there will be variations in the nutrient profiles of certain bone broths depending on the ingredients that are used. However, most bone broths will contain:
Water Content and Hydration
Bone broth is mostly water (about 90-92% is water). Water is one of the most important nutrients for our dogs and cats as it keeps them hydrated! Adequate hydration is crucial for optimal organ function, digestion, and overall well-being.
Collagen and Gelatin
Bone broth is naturally rich in collagen and gelatin which also contains amino acids such as glycine and proline. Collagen and gelatin may contribute to healthy skin, coat, joint health, digestion, immune function, and tissue repair.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Bone broth naturally contains glucosamine and chondroitin, known to enhance joint health and mobility. These compounds have previously been studied for their effects on joint health for pets with arthritis.
Electrolytes
Bone broth also has naturally occurring electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium. Electrolytes can help with fluid balance, nutrient transport across the body, and are needed for muscle functions.
Benefits of Bone Broth for Dogs and Cats
Boosts Hydration in Dogs and Cats
Many pets, and especially cats, don't drink enough water! While fresh, clean water should always be available, bone broth can be a delicious way to supplement their water intake. By adding bone broth to your pet's daily routine you can:
- Increase their daily fluid intake
- Support kidney and urinary health
- Keep pets hydrated, especially in hot weather periods or with intense exercise.
Promotes Gut Health and Digestion
A healthy gut = a healthier pet overall!
Bone broth contains amino acids, minerals, and gelatin, all of which can promote gut health in dogs. Research shows that the addition of bone broth can reduce inflammation of the gut and improve the gut barrier or lining to promote a healthy gut and even increase the digestibility of other nutrients.
This is particularly beneficial for pets with sensitive stomachs, food allergies, or digestive disorders such as chronic inflammatory enteropathy (previously named IBD) in dogs and cats.
Supports Joint Health and Mobility
Osteoarthritis is a painful disease that often affects our senior pets, though it can occur at any age.
Nutrients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen – as well as the amino acids proline and glycine - have been shown to help delay onset of these conditions when consumed throughout their lives, and in some studies these nutrients have even shown benefits such as reducing pain and improving mobility in dogs with osteoarthritis! They do this by:
- Supporting cartilage health and function
- Improving the strength, flexibility, and mobility of the connective tissue of the joint
- Rebuilding of cartilage around the joint to help cushion and lubricate the joint to reduce joint stiffness.
If you have a pup with joint health issues, read more about how Tom&Sawyer® supports joint health.
Skin and Coat Health Support
Amino acids like glycine and proline found in bone broth play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and a shiny coat. They support collagen production, enhancing skin elasticity and coat strength.
Bone broth also helps to reduce inflammation which can help prevent itching and other skin flare ups.
Adding bone broth to your pet's diet reduces dryness, itchiness, and promotes a healthy, lustrous coat.
Immune System Support
The immune system is highly complex and there are multiple routes in which bone broth can help support the immune system in our dogs and cats.
Hydration is a key factor in immune system function and the naturally occurring electrolytes help maintain fluid balance.
The amino acids in bone broth play important roles in protein and enzyme functions, while also helping to promote a healthy gut.
The gut is highly connected to the immune system. As such, the benefits of bone broth to gut health have direct benefits to our pet's immune system!
While bone broth is not a "cure," the addition of bone broth can help to promote an anti-inflammatory effect in dogs and cats.
Encourages Better Eating Habits for Picky Eaters
Got a picky eater? Bone broth is a natural appetite enhancer. Adding it to your pets food can:
- Enhance the flavor and aroma
- Encourage pets to finish their meals
- Make transitioning to new foods easier
Easy Ways to Add Bone Broth to Your Pet's Daily Routine
One of the best things about bone broth is how versatile it is! Here are some creative ways to incorporate it into your fur baby's daily life:
Pour Over Meals
Drizzle bone broth over your pet's bowl, whether it's a topper for kibble or on top of our healthy, human grade, gently-cooked meals, for a flavour and nutrition-boost!
This is ideal for picky eaters and great for also adding moisture to foods for pets who struggle to drink enough!
Freeze Into Cooling Treats
Pour bone broth into ice cube trays and freeze. Perfect for a hot summer day or a fun, cooling, hydrating, low-calorie enrichment tool.
You can even add some other pet-safe goodies such as blueberries or small veggie pieces!
Serve as a Standalone Snack
You can pour a small bowl of bone broth for a nourishing in-between meal treat. Ideal for hydration and great for recovery after exercise or illness!
Use as a Low-Calorie Training Reward
Freeze bone broth into small molds and mix with treats for a high-value, low-calorie reward your pet will love!
Turn It Into an Enrichment Activity
Pour or soak bone broth into toys like Kongs or lick mats, then freeze. This helps provide mental stimulation and calming enrichment opportunities and keeps dogs (and cats) busy to reduce boredom or anxiety!
Reduce Travel Stress With Bone Broth
If you're travelling with an anxious pet, bone broth can help to encourage eating in unfamiliar environments or stressful situations!
How Much Bone Broth to Feed Your Dog or Cat
As a general guideline we suggest:
- Small dogs & cats: 1-2 tablespoons per day
- Medium dogs: 2-4 tablespoons per day
- Large dogs: ¼-1/2 cup per day
Bone broth should be used as a topper or supplement, not as a replacement for a complete and balanced diet.
Always introduce gradually, especially for pets with sensitive stomachs.
Why Tom&Sawyer® Bone Broth Stands Apart
Tom&Sawyer® bone broth is currently available in Canada only. 🍁
Not all bone broths are created equal and not all bone broths are safe for pets. Avoid products that contain garlic, onions, excessive sodium, or artificial seasonings all of which can be harmful to dogs and cats.
Our products are carefully crafted with your fur baby's health in mind:
- Made from high-quality, human grade, responsibly sourced ingredients
- Slow-simmered to maximize nutrient extraction
- Free from artificial additives and preservatives
- Formulated specifically for dogs and cats
Whether you're looking to support joint health, improve digestion, or simply add excitement to mealtime, our bone broth delivers a natural, wholesome solution you can trust!
A Simple Step Toward Better Health for Your Pet
Adding bone broth to your pet's diet is one of the easiest ways to enhance their nutrition without overhauling their routine. It's functional, delicious, and endlessly adaptable making it a win for both pets and pet parents!
Ready to upgrade your pet's bowl? Try our premium bone broth today and see the difference for yourself.
References:
- Matar A., Abdelnaem N., Camilleri M. 2025. Bone broth benefits: how its nutrients fortify gut barrier in health and disease. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 70:1951-1961.
- Seki Y., Ohkuma R.C., Miyakawa Y., Karakida T., Yamamoto R., Yamakoshi Y. 2024. Hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate in chicken-vegetable bone broth delay osteoporosis progression. Journal of Food Science, 89(3):1791-1803.
- Aragon C.L., Hofmeister E.H., Budsberg S.C. 2007. Systematic review of clinical trials of treatments for osteoarthritis in dogs. Topics in Drug Therapy, 230:514-521.
- Gupta R.C., Canerdy T.D., Lindley J., Konemann M., Minniear J., et al. 2011. Comparative therapeutic efficacy and safety of type-II collagen (uc-II), glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic dogs: pain evaluation by ground force plate. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 96(5):770-777.
- Hand MS, Lewis LD. Small animal clinical nutrition. Topeka, Kan.: Mark Morris Institute; 2010.