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 comes with a list of amazing health benefits for your dog.
Bone broth is packed with vitamins and minerals, important amino acids, natural joint supplements, and gut-friendly probiotics. On top of that… your dog will LOVE it.
Bone broth is available at the grocery store, pet stores, and online. I’m sure many of these are fine but you will pay for the prepackaged convenience. Plus you don’t want to give your dog broth with a high salt content so avoid stocks and specifically go for 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 starts with the fact your dog will enjoy it. If your dog won’t eat it they can’t reap the benefits of it. Bone broth is a delicious meaty juice that dogs love.
Bone broth is cooked long and slow to allow the nutrients in the bones, marrow, and connective tissues to be pulled out into the broth. Bones are rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus; while the tissues contain collagen and amino acids.
When collagen is cooked it turns into gelatin. Gelatin lines and soothes the gut which makes bone broth a great supplement for digestive issues. It can also aid in gut healing. Leaky gut syndrome irritates the lining of the intestines and interferes with healthy digestion.
Collagen is also a popular joint supplement. Joints wear down with age and continuous use. Collagen may help repair these tissues and slow down the wear and tear on joints. I use a daily collagen supplement in my coffee and drink a cup of bone broth every day. None of us are getting any younger!
Does Bone Broth Improve Gut Health?
In today’s world it’s not easy to keep a healthy gut. With all of the preservatives, and 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 really important 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 be able to effectively digest food and allow adequate absorption of vital nutrients. Probiotics and prebiotics also help keep things in balance.
You have beneficial bacteria and yeasts that naturally live in your body. Of course there are bad bacteria as well but the good helps keep everything in balance. The right kinds of bacteria will give your dog’s immune system a boost while fighting 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 the joints and connective tissues of animal bones 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
The nutritional content of your bone broth depends on the quality of the bones you use. 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. They will cost more but you can use them for your own bone broth as well. 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 from your bone-in cuts of meat.
Start by filling your crockpot about half way full of bones. I like to use chicken wings and chicken feet due to the high collagen content, think bones with a lot of joints. Marrow bones are also the perfect choice. The marrow melts out into the broth giving it 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 the vinegar pulls nutrients out of the bones and releases the 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. You don’t want it over-powering for your dog.
Cook Low and Slow
Turn the crockpot on LOW and let the mixture slow cook for a minimum of 12 hours and for up to 24 hours. Don’t skim the fat from the bone broth. This is a healthy source of fats for your dog. Healthy 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, turnips are acceptable options. These veggies serve up a good dose of prebiotics for the 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 for your dog to really get the benefits of bone broth. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or has never had bone broth before, start off with a small and amount and work your way up.
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.
If you have a question or would like to submit a topic for me to discuss please do so!
Wag on my friends.
