Revealing The Benefits Of Bone Broth For Dogs: A Guide

You can find many superfoods on the market that can provide essential nutrients for your dog. One of them is bone broth. But can you use bone broth for dogs and what exactly is it?

Bone broth is a nutritious liquid made by simmering animal bones and connective tissues. Rich in minerals and collagen, it can support your dog’s joint health and digestion. There are a few ways to incorporate it into your furry friend’s diet.

What is bone broth for dogs?

Why is bone broth good for dogs?
How to make bone broth for dogs

What is bone broth for dogs?

Bone broth is essentially a stock made by boiling bones and other parts from animals that we usually don’t eat. It is a good way to humanely use every part of an animal while getting every available nutrient.

By slow cooking it in water, the bones let out minerals and other ingredients. The cooking process can typically take up to 12 to 24 hours. Regular stock, on the other hand, is cooked for a shorter time and doesn’t offer the same concentration of nutrients. This nutritious meal can be made at home, or bought at the store.

Why is bone broth good for dogs?

Bone broth’s appeal to dogs lies in the fact that it is highly digestible. Its nutrients are easily absorbed and the benefits of bone broth for dogs are very noticeable.

How does bone broth support joint health and mobility?

This miraculous broth is filled with glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid. These nutrients are known to promote joint health. Dr. Angel Bhatha et al. in their study regarding the nutrients, explain:

Glucosamine regulates the synthesis of collagen in cartilage and may provide mild anti-inflammatory effects while chondroitin sulfate inhibits destructive enzymes in joint fluid and cartilage. The two nutraceuticals also contribute to the synthesis of glycoaminoglycans and proteoglycans, which are building blocks for the formation of cartilage.

They have also been shown to reduce inflammation in the joints and support mobility. Hyaluronic acid also preserves collagen in the joints.

In what ways does bone broth strengthen bones and muscles?

Besides joints, this broth also contains the needed building blocks of bones and muscles. One important part called collagen is the key part of bones that keeps them flexible. The collagen in the broth can also be found as gelatin. That is used by the body to produce more collagen.

How does bone broth nurture gut health?

Adding bone broth to your dog’s diet helps improve its gut microbiome. It also strengthens the intestinal lining and can even assist in managing stress-related gut issues. All of this is due to an important amino acid called glutamine. The whole effect leads to preventing a condition called leaky gut in dogs. “In a pet with a leaky gut, the barrier function of the intestines is compromised. Therefore, substances that would normally pass through the intestines can instead cross the intestinal walls and enter the body’s circulation.” says Dr. Catherine Barnette.

How does bone broth aid in hydration and dog digestive care?

Being a liquid, this meal is a great option to hydrate your dog. It is also easily digestible and perfect for dogs that are healing from some illness or surgery. The glycine in this dish is also responsible for aiding the function of the dog’s liver.

How to make bone broth for dogs

Making this delicious meal at home is a great reward for your dog and ensures its well-being. While it may take some time, it is definitely worth making.

Why opt for homemade bone broth over store-bought options?

When cooking homemade pet food, you as the dog owner get to choose the ingredients you put in it. This ensures that you will only use the best ingredients for your dog and avoid anything that can harm it. Store-bought broths contain a lot of salt and spices that can be very bad for dogs and cause intoxication.

Making bone broth for dogs in a few simple steps

Making this dish at home does not take much effort, but it is a long process. First, you gather some bones with the marrow still in them. You can use chicken, pork, beef, or turkey bones. You can usually get these from the local butcher or the grocery store.

Then, get some water in a pot, while adding a bit of apple cider vinegar. It can help draw out the minerals of the bone better, while also providing a nice taste. If you want, you can also add some dog-safe vegetables as well. Dogs can eat vegetable soup and it is very beneficial for them. Adding some protein-rich dog food is also an option.

Place the bones in the water and simmer it for 12-24 hours. After it’s cooked, strain the liquid and make sure you remove all bones from it. Let the broth cool, and then you can serve it to your pet.

How to store bone broth for dogs?

You can store strained broth in airtight containers, in the refrigerator. Make sure the container has a little extra room in case the food expands. You can keep this food in the refrigerator for up to a week, and in the freezer for up to a year.

If you don’t feel like cooking bone broth for dogs too often, you can also freeze it in an ice cube tray. Then, you can give it as a treat from time to time by just warming up a cube and serving it as is.

How much bone broth for dogs is enough?

Whenever introducing new foods to your dog, you need to do it gradually to prevent stomach upset. Small dogs can start with 1-2 tablespoons a day, while larger ones can enjoy up to half a cup. You can mix it in your dog’s usual meals to see how it reacts. If it likes it and doesn’t experience any problems, you can increase the amount. Make sure you don’t overfeed your dog. Some dogs don’t know when to stop eating, so you need to be careful with the portion sizes.

How to make irresistible chicken bone broth pupsicles?

One bone broth for dogs recipe we would like to recommend is this popsicle made of chicken bone broth. You start by making the broth out of chicken bones as described above. Then, you remove the bones, grind them in a food processor until fine, and mix them back into the broth.

Pour the liquid into a silicon broth and store it in the freezer. Then, you can take the popsicles out whenever you want to treat your dog.

If it likes the taste of chicken, you can also cook chicken hearts for your dog. These little treats can offer many dog health benefits just like this collagen-rich broth.

Final thoughts – Why choose bone broth for dogs?

Some superfoods out there can be very beneficial to dogs. Bone broth is very simple to make, yet it is filled with many nutrients that can help your dog.

Because it’s made of bones, the broth contains a lot of collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin. These ingredients play a key role in maintaining a healthy musculoskeletal system. Besides that, the broth also ensures the health of its gastrointestinal system and provides hydration.

To cook this meal for your dog, you only have to spend some time collecting high-quality bones and putting them in a pot to boil. After cooling, you can serve this meal to your pup.

FAQ

Does bone broth help with dog allergies?

Bone broth’s gut-nurturing properties might alleviate some allergy-related issues. That said, the effect of the food will not affect your dog’s sensitivities and it will still need proper allergy treatment.

Is bone broth good for young puppies?

Puppies can enjoy small amounts of bone broth as a treat or supplement. That said, it is crucial to ensure their diet is balanced and suits their age. Giving too much of any food may cause problems.

What kinds of bones are used for bone broth?

You can make bone broth for dogs with any kind of bones. Heavy bones like beef feet, oxtail, marrow bones, and pigs’ feet are great. But the same goes for light bones like chicken wings and turkey necks.

Can you reuse the bones after making bone broth?

Yes, you can get the benefits from the bones more than once. Usually, on the second turn, the taste and nutrients will be lower, but they will still be available.