Bone Broth…for Dogs?!
It’s true! You can make bone broth for yourself AND for your dog! Yes, dogs drink bone broth! Bone broth for dogs has so many health benefits and is extremely versatile! It is actually one of the best things you can provide for your canine companion. I know what you’re thinking… but don’t bones and certain veggies mess with a dog’s digestion? That’s true… if you’re feeding your dog exactly the same bone broth as what you’re making for yourself.
There are certain ‘people foods that can harm your dog (e.g. onions) and we know dogs can’t chew on ‘people’s bones either, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still give your pup bone broth as a yummy and nutrition-filled snack! Below we will discuss the proper ingredients and instructions to follow when making bone broth for dogs, as well as its numerous health benefits to your pet’s life!
How does bone broth benefit my canine companion?
As with humans, dogs require a variety of vitamins and minerals to keep their bodies happy and healthy! The health benefits are incredible for dogs as it is for us! Bone broth is an excellent source of protein, collagen, glycine, and so many more essential nutrients for your dog to have the best quality of life you can provide for them. These nutrients help boost gut health, support joint health, help with detoxing, and even hydrate your pup!
Boosts Gut Health
One of the most common afflictions canines can experience is a leaky gut syndrome. This is when the microscopic holes in your dog’s intestinal lining become enlarged. These holes typically filter out anything that is bad for your pup and allow the proper nutrients to pass through. This enlargement can happen with stress, lack of proper nutrition, bacterial overgrowth, etc. When these holes become too big, the filtration process becomes more difficult, allowing more and more toxins or undigested food to pass through, resulting in allergies and/or sensitivities to certain foods.
Bone broth for dogs has a lot of gelatin in it, which is produced when collagen is cooked. This gelatin plays an important role in preventing and even reversing leaky gut syndrome by plugging those enlarged holes and enabling that filtration process to occur again.
Supports Joint Health
Bone broth is very rich in several nutrients including glucosamine and chondroitin, which enhance and promote collagen growth. This is one of the most important reasons bone broth is so good for your pet! In dogs, collagen is responsible for the cushioning found at the end of their bones. This cushioning prevents the bones from rubbing together and generating pain. When your dog starts to lose this cushioning, it is more than likely that joint pain will develop. In addition, the bones may weaken, leaving your dog susceptible to irreparable damage to the tendons, ligaments, and bones. Therefore, providing your dog with bone broth to help support that collagen growth will in turn support their joint health as well!
Help with Detoxing
Bone broth includes a high concentration of an amino acid called glycine. Glycine is incredibly important in filtering out toxins that enter your dog’s body. More specifically, it is essential in your pup’s liver function, as the liver is responsible for detoxing your pup’s entire system.
Hydrating Your Pup
Naturally, we all provide our canine companions with constant access to water as it is just as important for them to stay hydrated as it is for us humans. Bone broth is a good way to add a little extra liquid to their diet. Besides being chock full of essential nutrients, bone broth also acts kind of like our human version of chicken noodle soup – it helps calm their stomach and eases any pain or indigestion they may be experiencing.
But How Would I Make Bone Broth For Dogs?
It’s actually very easy to make bone broth for dogs. All you need is a few pounds of bones/meat (leftover bones if available), a lot of water, some apple cider vinegar, and some pet-friendly veggies such as celery or mushrooms. For the bones, you can use chicken, beef, or turkey and just save whatever bones you can from your own cooking throughout the week. The first step is simple: toss all these ingredients into a crock-pot or slow cooker, and leave it on low for 12-24 hours.
Once that step is completed, you will remove the bones as these create a choking hazard for your pup and all the nutrients have already been leached out of them (thank you apple cider vinegar!). After your broth has cooled a bit, you will leave it in the fridge for a few hours until you see that the fat has risen to the top. Once this is completed, all you need to do is skim off that top layer of fat, and your bone broth is ready to serve!
For any dog (Small dogs or large dogs), it may be easiest to dribble a couple of spoons of bone broth over their food until they’re used to it. If this is your first time giving your dog homemade bone broth, start with a small amount, and increase as your dog’s system becomes used to it – it is a new substance and too much of something new can upset your pup’s tummy. Bone broth for dogs can even make for a great frozen treat! Feel free to feed them a few ounces a day to keep the veterinarian away!
FAQ
What does it feel like when you eat bones?
No, you don’t have to feed dogs bones that came in soups. Cooked bones break apart causing serious injuries to a dog.
How can I use it for dessert?
Yeah! It’s possible to add beef broth to some kibble. Please reduce your kibble intake in case of excessive food intake. The broth also softens kibble, which makes the dog’s digestive process easier.
Do bones need to be used?
You can also use beef and poultry bone, turkey bone, or a combination… You can drain the broth so it does not encapsulate any bones because the meat is less brittle and has less cartilage.
