You may be wondering, âIs bone broth good for dogs?â This guide will help you find out. There are numerous benefits of bone broth for dogs, and it is one of the best foods to serve to sick and elderly dogs. Dog bone broth is also great for keeping young dogs healthy, as it helps boost immunity and maintain well-being.
What Is Bone Broth?
Bone broth is a delicious, collagen-rich soup made by slow-cooking animal bones and connective tissues in water and apple cider vinegar over a prolonged period. The slow-cooking process extracts all the nutrition from the bone marrow so that the resulting stock is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, collagen, and other nutrients.Â
Bone broth is made using marrow bones, preferably raw, grass-fed, and organic. The recipe can also contain dog-safe herbs like cilantro, parsley, and rosemary. You could add dog-safe vegetables like broccoli, celery, carrots, kelp, or beans to the broth. A dash of apple cider vinegar helps extract the minerals from the bone marrow and also imparts a rich gelatinous texture to the broth.
Bone broth differs from regular stock or chicken broth for dogs in several ways. Firstly, it is cooked for a longer time than regular broth. This prolonged cooking extracts and releases more collagen and nutrients from the marrow bones into the soup. It also imparts a gelatinous texture and richer flavor. Most importantly, bone broth has a higher nutrient density than regular chicken broth or stock.
Benefits of Bone Broth For Dogs
Improved Joint Health
According to experts at the American Kennel Club, bone broth contains a large amount of collagen, which supports dogsâ joint health. Bone broth is also rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, which are known to increase cartilage cells and lubrication in the joints. This is especially beneficial for dogs having joint issues such as arthritis.
Digestive Support
Bone broth contains several minerals and vitamins that help reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and soothe gut problems. It is a great type of food for picky, older, or sick dogs who have trouble eating. Dogs with diarrhea may also benefit, since bone broth is known to heal the gut lining.
Hydration
Bone broth has a high water content that helps hydrate and replenish lost fluids in sick dogs. Its tasty flavor also encourages dogs to drink more of it.
Boosts Immunity
According to veterinarians at the Best Friends Animal Hospital, amino acids in bone broth like glycine and proline boost your dogâs immune system.Â
Appetite Stimulation
Brothâs slow cooking process imparts a ton of flavor to the broth, which most dogs cannot resist. This makes it an ideal food for picky eaters or recovering dogs.
Skin and Coat Health
Bone broth contains collagen, which is a key ingredient in a dogâs skin and fur. As dogs age, their body starts losing collagen, resulting in a dry, dull coat. By regularly adding bone broth to your petâs diet, you can boost the depleting collagen levels and improve their coatâs shine and elasticity. Bone broth also adds moisture to the coat to prevent dryness and irritation.
Risks and Precautions of Feeding Bone Broth to Dogs
The question âIs bone broth good for dogs?â can mostly be answered positively. However, as with anything, there are certain risks of feeding bone broth in excess to dogs.
High Sodium Levels
Store-bought bone broth usually contains a lot of salt, which helps in its preservation. This excess sodium could result in salt toxicity in dogs. Also, the slow cooking process itself releases a lot of sodium from the animal bones into the stock. Therefore, it may be best to avoid store-bought bone broth for dogs. If you choose to feed homemade broth, avoid adding any salt to the recipe.
Toxic Ingredients
Store-bought bone broth often contains preservatives, artificial colors, and harmful ingredients like garlic, onions, salt, and other seasonings. These can be harmful to pets. It is best to make bone broth for dogs at home so you can avoid these ingredients.
Overfeeding Risks
Most of the bone broth side effects occur due to overfeeding. Too much bone broth could result in weight gain and obesity in dogs. It could also result in an upset stomach with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps.
Allergic Reactions and Food Insensitivities
Some dogs could be sensitive or allergic to the ingredients in bone broth. Signs of allergic reactions include itching, swelling, bloating, diarrhea, or discomfort. Please discontinue feeding if you notice these signs in your dog.
How To Safely Serve Bone Broth to Dogs
Adhere to Portion Size and Frequency Recommendations
According to the experts at the Independence Veterinary Clinic, start by adding a few ounces of bone broth to your dogâs meals a few times a week. Monitor how your dog feels. If there are no side effects, you can slowly increase the quantity. Here are the portion size recommendations for bone broth based on your dogâs weight:
Dogs under 20 lbsâone ounce per day
Dogs between 20 and 40 lbsâtwo ounces per day
Dogs over 60 lbsâfive ounces per day
Temperature
It is best to feed warm bone broth to your dogânot too hot or too cold. Heating refrigerated bone broth improves its taste and is especially great for getting picky eaters to eat their food.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought
As stated earlier, it may be best to avoid store-bought bone broth unless it is from a vet-approved brand.
Homemade bone broth is fresh, nutritious, and free from additives. If you decide to feed store-bought broth, choose dog-safe options without onions, tomatoes, garlic, or harmful preservatives. Look for "organic," "low-sodium," and âvet-approvedâ labels.
How to Make Bone Broth for Dogs
Ingredients
Bones: the best bones for bone broth are chicken, turkey, and beef. Choose raw and organic animal bones
Chicken feet
Vegetables (optional): broccoli, kelp, carrots, and celery
Herbs (optional): cilantro, parsley, and rosemary
Apple cider vinegarâa few tablespoons
Steps
In a slow cooker, add the bones and chicken feet. You can also use a regular pot but since you need to cook the broth for a long period (over 24 hours), it is best to use a slow cooker.
Fill up the pot with water, ensuring that the bones are completely submerged.
Add the apple cider vinegar.
If you are using a slow cooker, set it on high for an hour, after which you reduce the heat to low and cook the broth for 24 hours.
Once cooked, remove the bones from the broth. If needed, strain the broth to remove bone fragments. You donât want to feed cooked bones to your dog as they could shatter and harm your pet.
You can also add the vegetables and herbs while the broth is still hot. They will cook in the brothâs heat and soften slightly while still maintaining a crunch. The herbs will also impart their medicinal properties to the broth.
Store the broth in airtight containers in the refrigerator or freezer.
Store-Bought Bone Broth: What to Look For
When choosing store-bought bone broth for your dog, look for labels that say "low sodium," "organic," "no seasoning," or "vet-approved." Avoid broths containing harmful ingredients such as salt, onions, garlic, and preservatives.Â
If possible, pick brands made specifically for dogs. Castor & Pollux Pristine Beef Bone Broth is a great option. It is made in the USA using grass-fed beef.
Alternatives to Bone Broth
There are several alternatives to bone broth for dogs. These include:
Plain chicken soup or brothâthis is hydrating and nourishing for dogs. Choose one without salt and other harmful seasonings.
Goat's milk: Most dogs tolerate goat's milk without any allergic reaction. It contains probiotics and is easier to digest compared to cowâs milk. However, do consult your vet before feeding it to your pet.
Hydrating canine meal toppersâthese include gravies or broths you can mix with your dogâs food. Again, choose vet-approved brands.
While these alternatives to bone broth are convenient, they may not contain all the nutrients found in bone broth. They could also contain preservatives, onions, garlic, and excess salt.
Conclusion
As can be seen, bone broth is highly nourishing food for dogs. It contains tons of vitamins and minerals, as well as collagen and other proteins. As with any new food, always consult your veterinarian before feeding bone broth to dogs. It is best to prepare dog bone broth at home instead of using store-bought varieties. This way, you can control what goes in the broth. Always start slow, and feed it in moderation based on your petâs weight. This is essential to prevent side effects and allergic reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs have beef broth?
Yes, dogs can have beef broth as long as the beef is sourced from healthy sources. Also, make sure the broth is devoid of ingredients like excessive salt, onions, or garlic, as these ingredients could harm your pet.
Is bone broth good to give a dog every day?
Yes, you may feed bone broth to your dog every day, in moderation, and as long as your pet has no adverse reaction to it.
Is chicken broth good for dogs?
Yes, chicken broth is a great source of amino acids and collagen and can benefit your dogs in numerous ways. Always ensure that the chicken broth is free from excessive sodium, garlic, and onions.
