Bone broth is generally a safe and beneficial supplement for cats when prepared correctly. It provides hydration, easily absorbed minerals, and amino acids that support joints, digestion, and liver function. It’s not a meal replacement, but as a topper or occasional treat, it can be especially helpful for picky eaters, older cats, and those recovering from illness.
Key Nutrients in Bone Broth
When bones simmer for hours, they release a concentrated mix of compounds that cats can absorb easily. The most notable is glycine, an amino acid the liver uses to process and clear toxins from food, water, and even flea treatments. Bone broth is also rich in calcium and phosphorus, both essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth and for energy production. Cats with arthritis or joint stiffness benefit from the magnesium and glucosamine that leach out of the bones during cooking.
Collagen is another major component. As it breaks down into gelatin during cooking, it forms short peptides made of glycine and proline. These peptides help protect and repair the stomach’s mucosal lining, support the structural integrity of the gut wall, and may reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. Research from the Russian Academy of Sciences has shown these gelatin-derived peptides guard against mucosal injury and ulceration. They also serve as fuel for beneficial gut bacteria, contributing to a healthier microbial balance in the intestines.
Bone marrow, which dissolves into the broth during cooking, supports the immune system by helping carry oxygen to cells throughout the body. For aging cats or those with joint wear, the collagen-based structures in gelatin closely resemble the connective tissues found in whole prey, making bone broth a natural way to support musculoskeletal health.
Hydration and Appetite Support
Many cats don’t drink enough water on their own, especially those eating a dry food diet. Bone broth is an effective way to sneak extra fluid into their routine. VCA Animal Hospitals includes low-sodium broth among the recommended additions to cat food for improving both flavor and fluid intake.
For cats recovering from surgery, dealing with nausea, or simply turning their nose up at dinner, bone broth works well as a food topper. The warm, meaty aroma often reignites interest in food. This is particularly useful for senior cats or those on special diets who need encouragement to eat. Offering meals in a quiet, low-stress spot (away from other pets) can further help a reluctant eater. VCA recommends keeping toppers like bone broth to no more than a quarter cup per meal, and ensuring that toppers and treats together don’t exceed 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.
Ingredients That Are Dangerous for Cats
The biggest risk with bone broth isn’t the broth itself. It’s what people add to it. Onions and garlic, staples in human bone broth recipes, are toxic to cats at any dose. These allium vegetables contain compounds called disulphides and thiosulfinates that damage red blood cells, leading to a type of anemia. Garlic should never be given to cats, even in small amounts. This toxicity applies to all forms: raw, cooked, powdered, and dissolved into liquid.
Salt is another concern. Commercial bone broths made for humans typically contain far too much sodium for a cat. Even “low sodium” varieties designed for people may still be excessive. If you’re buying rather than making bone broth, look for products specifically formulated for pets, and check the ingredient list for any allium seasonings, added salt, or preservatives.
How to Make Bone Broth for Cats
Homemade bone broth is straightforward and gives you full control over what goes in. Start with raw or leftover bones from chicken, turkey, or beef. Chicken feet and necks are especially rich in collagen. Place the bones in a large pot or slow cooker and cover them with water. Adding a small splash of apple cider vinegar (about a tablespoon per quart of water) helps draw minerals out of the bones during cooking.
Simmer on low for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the simmer, the more nutrients extract into the liquid. Do not add onions, garlic, chives, leeks, salt, or any seasoning. When done, strain out all bones and solid pieces (cooked bones can splinter and are a choking hazard). Let the broth cool, then skim off the layer of fat that rises to the top. Store in the refrigerator for up to five days, or freeze in ice cube trays for easy portioning. A single cube thawed over your cat’s regular food is a simple way to serve it.
Cats That Benefit Most
While any healthy cat can enjoy bone broth as an occasional supplement, certain cats stand to gain the most. Senior cats with stiff joints get the combined benefits of glucosamine, magnesium, and collagen. Cats with digestive sensitivity benefit from gelatin’s gut-lining support. Picky eaters or cats losing weight due to illness often respond to the flavor and warmth of broth when nothing else works.
For cats with chronic kidney disease, hydration is critical, and broth can help increase fluid intake. However, kidney disease also requires careful control of phosphorus and protein levels. Bone broth is naturally rich in both, so if your cat has been diagnosed with kidney disease, it’s worth confirming with your vet that the added phosphorus won’t conflict with their dietary plan. For otherwise healthy cats, the phosphorus and calcium in bone broth support normal bone maintenance without concern.