Bone broth for dogs: What’s safe to include, what’s toxic, and how much

Bone broth for dogs is a great idea – but almost no broth from the supermarket is suitable for it. The reason is in the ingredient list: onions and leeks are toxic to dogs, and they are in almost every ready-made product. This article explains what you need to look out for, how much is sensible, and how to cook broth for your dog yourself.

Can my dog drink bone broth?

Yes – if it is properly formulated. Pure bone broth made from water and bones is unproblematic for dogs. The risk does not lie in the broth itself, but in what is usually cooked into it.

Three things must be missing: onions and other alliums, garlic, and added salt. If any of these are present, the product is not suitable for your dog – no matter how high-quality it is otherwise.

Why are onions and leeks toxic to dogs?

Onions, leeks, chives, and garlic belong to the genus Allium. They contain thiosulfates and sulfur compounds such as N-propyldisulfide, which damage a dog's red blood cells. The result can be hemolytic anemia – a type of anemia where oxygen transport in the blood is impaired.^[1]

Two points make this particularly relevant for broth:

Cooking and drying do not destroy the toxic substances. Onion plants are equally toxic whether fresh, cooked, fried, dried, liquid, or powdered.^[2] A broth boiled for 18 hours with onions is therefore no more harmless than a raw onion – on the contrary, dissolved components are in the liquid.

The symptoms are delayed. Vomiting and diarrhea usually appear within the first day. The consequences of anemia occur with a delay: Heinz bodies in the red blood cells reach their maximum after about 72 hours, and hemolysis typically appears three to five days after ingestion.^[2][1] Therefore, if you don't notice anything after feeding, you cannot conclude that everything is fine.

Regarding the amount: Toxicity is dose-dependent, and the thresholds mentioned in literature vary widely. There is no clear line between a safe and a toxic amount.^[3] Certain breeds are more sensitive, including Japanese breeds such as the Shiba Inu and Akita.^[4] This is precisely why the practical recommendation is not "a little is okay," but: none at all.

If your dog has accidentally received broth containing onions, call your veterinary practice and do not wait for symptoms. Do not induce vomiting without veterinary instruction.^[4]

Why most commercial broths are unsuitable

Take a look at a typical ingredient list. The organic bone broth from Löwenzahn Organics, which is on the baby shelf at dm, contains according to the declaration: water, beef bones (32%), onions, carrots, leeks, lovage, bay leaf.^[5]

For a baby, this is a sensible recipe. For a dog, it contains two problematic ingredients – onions and leeks.

The same applies to most drinking broths in jars: carrots, onions, and celery are standard because they provide the flavor. And stock cubes or instant broth are out of the question anyway – they consist essentially of salt, yeast extract, and flavorings.

The rule is simple and takes ten seconds: read the ingredient list before you feed. Even for products you have been buying for a long time – recipes change.

What about salt?

A dog's salt requirement is met through its normal food. Additional salt from broth is unnecessary. This is especially relevant for dogs with heart disease: The ACVIM guidelines recommend limiting sodium intake from all sources – including treats and table scraps – in moderation.^[6] For kidney disease, the data situation is different than often assumed: The international IRIS guidelines state that there is no evidence in dogs that reducing sodium lowers blood pressure. When in doubt, discuss this with your veterinarian.

Look for the label "no added salt." If it's missing, salt is usually in the ingredient list – often in third place for concentrates. For you, an unsalted broth tastes bland. Your dog doesn't care.

How much bone broth for which dog?

There is no official feeding recommendation because bone broth is not a complete food, but a supplement. The following table is a practical guide, not a veterinary recommendation – ask your vet if in doubt.

Start with a third of the amount and increase over a week. As with any change in diet, a sudden amount can lead to soft stools. Serve lukewarm, not hot.

Cooking bone broth for dogs yourself

The recipe is simpler than for humans because almost everything is omitted.

Take 1 to 2 kg of beef bones – marrow bones, joint bones, shanks. Cover with cold water, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, bring to a boil, and skim off the foam. Then let it simmer on the lowest heat for 12 to 24 hours.

No salt. No onions. No leeks. No garlic. Carrots and parsley are harmless if you want some vegetables.

Strain, let cool, and remove the solid fat layer – too much fat can be hard on the pancreas in sensitive dogs.

Important: The boiled bones belong in the trash, not in the bowl. Cooked bones become brittle and can splinter. The splinters can injure the digestive tract. This applies to all cooked bones, regardless of size and animal species.

Can I freeze bone broth for dogs?

Yes, and it is the most practical storage method. Fill it into ice cube trays, freeze it, and then transfer the cubes into a bag. This way you have daily portions ready.

In the summer, the frozen cubes are also a welcome cooling treat – most dogs are happy to take them directly.

Is bone broth also suitable for cats?

Yes, under the same conditions – but with more caution. Cats are more sensitive to alliums than dogs.^[4] The ingredient list must therefore be checked with the same care.

Regarding quantity: significantly less. One to two tablespoons over the food are sufficient for most cats. Many cats drink too little anyway – an unsalted broth over wet food is an easy way to increase fluid intake.

When you should not feed bone broth

Talk to your veterinarian beforehand if your dog has kidney disease, suffers or has suffered from pancreatitis, has a food allergy, or is a puppy. For dogs on a prescribed diet, every supplement should also be discussed.

And generally speaking: bone broth is a supplement to food, not a substitute. It does not cover nutritional requirements and is not a complete food.

Frequently asked questions

How often can I feed bone broth?

Daily is common if the amount fits the weight and the broth is well tolerated. There is also no reason not to give it only on certain days.

Can I use bone broth powder for dogs?

If it contains nothing but bone broth, yes. Check the ingredient list for salt, yeast extract, flavoring, and vegetable powder – especially with powders, onion and leek powders are common, and dried they are particularly concentrated.^[1]

Does bone broth help with my dog's joint problems?

We make no claims about this. Efficacy-related claims about bone broth are not robustly supported, and for joint problems, a dog should be under veterinary care anyway, rather than being treated with home remedies.

My dog doesn't like the broth – what to do?

Pour it over dry food instead of offering it separately. Many dogs accept it this way because it makes the food smell more intense. Lukewarm works better than cold.

What about chicken bone broth?

As a broth, it is unproblematic; the same rules regarding onions and salt apply. The cooked chicken bones themselves are particularly dangerous because they form sharp edges when splintering. They never belong in the bowl.

Our bone broth powder

Our bone broth powder is dried beef bone broth from Swedish grass-fed cattle – no additives, no binders, no sugar. It is produced as food for humans and is not declared as animal feed. Many of our customers use it for their dogs anyway because the ingredient list is short.

What this means for you: Read the ingredient list on the package and decide for yourself whether it meets your requirements. For questions about feeding, your veterinary practice is the right place to turn, not us.

From our assortment

Bone Broth Powder 200 g

Dried beef bone broth from Swedish grass-fed cattle. One ingredient, no binders, no sugar, no flavoring. Produced as food, not declared as animal feed.

To the product

Each batch is tested in an accredited German laboratory for microbiology and heavy metals – the test reports are publicly viewable.

This article is for general information and does not replace veterinary advice. For health questions regarding your animal, please contact a veterinarian.

Sources

1. Salgado, B. S.; Monteiro, L. N.; Rocha, N. S. (2011): Allium species poisoning in dogs and cats. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 17(1), 4–11. doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992011000100002
2. Hayes, C. (2024): Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals. MSD/Merck Veterinary Manual, status September 2024. merckvetmanual.com
3. Kovalkovičová, N.; Šutiaková, I.; Pistl, J.; Šutiak, V. (2009): Some food toxic for pets. Interdisciplinary Toxicology 2(3), 169–176. doi.org/10.2478/v10102-009-0012-4 (PMID 21217849)
4. Yamoto, O.; Maede, Y. (1992): Susceptibility to onion-induced hemolysis in dogs with hereditary high erythrocyte reduced glutathione and potassium concentrations. American Journal of Veterinary Research 53(1), 134–137. PMID 1539905
5. Defarges, A. (2024): Esophageal Foreign Bodies in Small Animals. MSD/Merck Veterinary Manual, status September 2024. merckvetmanual.com
6. Keene, B. W. et al. (2019): ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 33(3), 1127–1140. doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15488

Further legal bases and literature

• Barash, N. R.; Lashnits, E.; Kern, Z. T.; Tolbert, M. K.; Lunn, K. F. (2022): Outcomes of esophageal and gastric bone foreign bodies in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 36(2), 500–507. doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16383 (PMID 35156732)
• FEDIAF – European Pet Food Industry Federation (2025): Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs, September 2025. europeanpetfood.org
• European Parliament and Council (2009): Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 on the placing on the market and use of feed, Art. 3(2)(i) and (j). eur-lex.europa.eu
• Löwenzahn Organics: Organic Bone Broth for babies – Organic Beef, manufacturer declaration. loewenzahnorganics.com (accessed Sept 17, 2026)
• Cridge, H.; Lim, S. Y.; Algül, H.; Steiner, J. M. (2022): New insights into the etiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of pancreatitis in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 36(3), 847–864. doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16437 (PMID 35546513)

Sources last checked on Sept 17, 2026.