Chicken Bone Broth Powder

Chicken bones are pressure-cooked in water for hours, the fat is removed, and the broth is dried to a powder that keeps without refrigeration. Pet food suppliers sell it as a flavor and protein ingredient.^2,3,4

1. 01 // Source Raw chicken bones Bones are ground fine and covered with water. The research product used no additives.
2. 02 // Process Pressure cooked Cooked at high temperature and pressure for at least 8 hours to draw protein and collagen into the water.
3. 03 // Process Defatted, concentrated Fat is removed and the broth is evaporated. Left in, fat sticks to the hot spray-dryer and the run fails.
4. 04 // Process Spray dried Broth is sprayed into hot air and dries to powder. Some makers add a carrier; one study used 20% maltodextrin.
5. 05 // Output Broth powder A low-fat powder of about 90% protein, often agglomerated so it pours freely and disperses in water.

1. 01

   Adds chicken flavor

   Suppliers sell broth powder as a palatant, coated on kibble or mixed into toppers and treats, to add a meaty taste and smell without fresh meat.^4,5

2. 02

   Protein on the label

   At about 90% protein on a dry basis, it lifts the crude protein figure. One supplier also pitches it as a way to replace water on the label.⁴

3. 03

   Broth without refrigeration

   Unlike liquid broth, the powder is shelf stable. Agglomerated grades pour freely and disperse in liquid, so it works as a dry sprinkle or mixed into water.⁴

How much The sources we read publish no typical amount. The closest dog trial fed 10 g a day of gelatin hydrolysate, about 2.5% of a dry diet.⁷

1. Brands say

   Collagen in bone broth helps dogs' joints

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   The two dog trials we read tested purified collagen, and both had industry ties: 15 dogs on gelatin hydrolysate against 15 on placebo, and 11 on collagen peptides. Neither fed broth, and broth collagen runs low and inconsistent.^1,7,8

2. Critics say

   Bone broth carries lead from the bones

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   One small blinded, controlled study found 7.01 µg of lead per liter in organic chicken bone broth, against 0.89 for tap water treated the same way. It tested 3 types of organic chicken broth for human diets, not pet powders or dogs.⁹

3. Brands say

   Makes any meal tempting for picky dogs

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   Suppliers sell it as a palatant, and meaty flavor is a plausible draw. Neither supplier page we read gives a single preference-test number, and we found no measured evidence behind the picky-dog promise.^4,5

4. Brands say

   A high-quality protein boost for any bowl

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   The powder is 90 to 95% protein, but that protein is mostly collagen, which lacks tryptophan entirely and counts as an incomplete protein. It raises the label number, not the amino acid balance.^2,4,6