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There are several amazing health benefits of bone broth for dogs. Bone broth has become very popular in recent years. This warm, savory liquid not only tastes delicious but also comes with a list of amazing health benefits for your dog.
Bone broth is packed with vitamins and minerals, essential amino acids, natural joint-supporting compounds, and gut-friendly probiotics. On top of that… your dog will LOVE it.
Bone broth is available at grocery stores, pet stores, and online. I’m sure many of these are fine, but you will pay for the convenience. Plus, you don’t want to give your dog broth with a high salt content, so avoid stocks and stick to bone broth. It doesn’t have to be fancy and is one of the easiest things you can make at home for your dog.
Why Bone Broth?
The amazing health benefits of bone broth for dogs start with the fact that your dog will enjoy it. If your dog won’t eat it, they can’t reap its benefits. Bone broth is a delicious, meaty juice that dogs love.
Bone broth is cooked long and slow to allow nutrients from bones, marrow, and connective tissues to be extracted into the broth. Bones are rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, while the connective tissues contain collagen and amino acids.
Leaky gut syndrome irritates the intestinal lining and disrupts healthy digestion. Collagen helps soothe the gut, making bone broth an excellent supplement for digestive issues and aiding in gut healing.
Collagen is also a popular joint supplement. Joints wear down with age and continuous use. Collagen may help repair these tissues and slow joint wear and tear. I use a daily collagen supplement in my coffee and drink a cup of bone broth every day.
Does Bone Broth Improve Gut Health?
In today’s world, it’s not easy to keep a healthy gut. With all the preservatives, artificial flavors, and colors in pet food, it’s no wonder our dogs’ health is struggling. All of these things, plus toxins from the outside world, fertilizers, and such, wreak havoc on your dog’s natural microbiome.
We all know gut health is essential for humans and pets. That’s because most of the immune system lies in the gut. If your dog’s gut health is off, it can cause a whole list of symptoms. The following are some of the things you may notice if your dog’s gut health is not up to par.
- Stomach upset / horrible gas
- Unexplained skin irritations
- Allergies / constant licking
- Bad breath / Body odor
- Diarrhea / Constipation
- Poor quality coat / oily fur / dandruff
- Change in eating behaviors
- Constant eating of grass
- Vomiting
- Anxiety / depression
A healthy digestive tract is essential for normal bodily functions. The gut needs to effectively digest food and allow adequate absorption of vital nutrients. Probiotics and prebiotics also help maintain balance.
You have beneficial bacteria and yeasts that naturally live in your body. Of course, there are bad bacteria as well, but the good will help keep everything in balance. The right kinds of bacteria will boost your dog’s immune system while helping fight inflammation.
Bone Broth for Bone and Joint Health
Bone broth provides calcium and phosphorus for your dog’s bone health. Just like humans, dogs benefit from exercise and bone supplements to stay strong in their later years.
The collagen present in animals’ joints and connective tissues is the most natural way to add collagen to your dog’s diet. It helps keep your dog’s joints lubricated and moving smoothly. Collagen naturally declines as you get older, so of course, it’s a good idea to add this to your senior pet’s supplement list.
Making Bone Broth at Home
Using high-quality animal bones is the only way to ensure your dog gets the best nutritional value. I only use pasture-raised animal bones. You are what you eat, right? I don’t want added hormones or pesticides in my dog’s diet.
You can purchase grass-fed beef bones on Amazon or check with your local butcher. Feel free to save bones from your meals to make bone broth for your pups. This is a great way to get as much as you can from your bone-in cuts of meat.
Start by filling your crockpot about halfway full of bones. I like to use chicken wings and chicken feet because of their high collagen content. Marrow bones are also the perfect choice. The marrow melts out into the broth, providing a great nutritional punch. I throw in a clove or two of garlic. Remember, garlic is only toxic in large amounts and actually has many benefits for your dog.
When you have your assorted bones arranged in your crockpot, cover them with water. There should be a few inches of water over the top. Add garlic if you choose, and some fresh herbs. Parsley and thyme are a flavorful combo.
Now for the most important ingredient… Apple cider vinegar. The acid in vinegar pulls nutrients from the bones and releases collagen and gelatin. Depending on the size of your crockpot, add 1 tbsp to 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. You should be able to smell it faintly, but you don’t want it to overpower the meaty goodness of the broth.
Cook Low and Slow
Turn the crockpot on LOW and let the mixture slow-cook for at least 12 hours. Don’t skim the fat from the bone broth. This is a healthy source of fats for your dog. Beneficial fats are necessary for heart and brain health, and that soft, shiny coat.
During the last two to three hours, you can add some root vegetables if you’d like. Carrots, celery, and turnips are acceptable options. These veggies deliver a good dose of prebiotics for healthy gut bacteria to feed on.
Portion out the broth and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Add some to every meal, or at least a few days a week, so your dog can really get the benefits of bone broth. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or has never had bone broth before, start with a small amount to check their tolerance.
I cover my dog’s food with it. Enough to give her a nice amount of moisture in her meal. I rotate bone broth with raw goat’s milk. Check out why you should give your dog raw goat’s milk.
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Wag on my friends.
