Bone Broth For Dogs

Bone broth isn't just any ordinary treat for your furry friend – it's a superfood packed with nourishing goodness! Made by simmering animal bones and connective tissues for an extended period, bone broth is a nutrient-rich elixir that offers a multitude of health benefits for dogs.

What are the benefits of feeding my dog Bone Broth?

There are a huge variety of benefits of feeding your dog bone broth. Some of these include:

1.Joint Health: One of the most remarkable benefits of bone broth is its ability to support joint health. The gelatin and collagen derived from the bones help lubricate joints, reduce inflammation, and alleviate joint pain and stiffness. These compounds also support the health of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, promoting overall joint function and mobility. This makes bone broth an invaluable supplement for dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or other joint issues.

2.Gut Health: Bone broth is rich in amino acids like glycine and glutamine, which are essential for maintaining a healthy gut lining. These amino acids help repair and seal the gut barrier, preventing leaky gut syndrome and promoting optimal digestion and nutrient absorption. Additionally, the gelatin in bone broth supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, contributing to a balanced and thriving gut microbiome. This makes bone broth particularly beneficial for dogs with digestive issues, food sensitivities, or inflammatory bowel disease.

3.Oral Health: The minerals present in bone broth, including calcium and phosphorus, play a crucial role in maintaining strong teeth and bones in dogs. Regular consumption of bone broth can help prevent dental issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Additionally, chewing on bones in homemade bone broth can help clean your dog's teeth and remove plaque and tartar buildup, promoting better oral hygiene and fresher breath.

4.Immune Support: Bone broth is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support immune function and overall health. Vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, and selenium are just a few of the immune-boosting nutrients found in bone broth. These nutrients help strengthen your dog's natural defenses, making them more resilient to infections, viruses, and other illnesses. Additionally, the amino acids in bone broth support the production of white blood cells and antibodies, further enhancing immune function.

5.Hydration: Proper hydration is essential for your dog's overall well-being, and bone broth is an excellent way to ensure they're getting enough fluids. Bone broth is not only hydrating but also contains electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, which help maintain fluid balance and support cellular function. Whether served warm or chilled, bone broth provides a delicious and nutritious source of hydration for your furry friend, especially during hot weather or after strenuous activity.

6.Palatability: Dogs absolutely love the taste of bone broth, making it an irresistible treat for even the pickiest eaters. The rich aroma and flavor of bone broth add an extra dimension to your dog's meals, making them more enjoyable and satisfying. Bone broth can be used to enhance the flavor of dry kibble, rehydrate freeze-dried or dehydrated foods, or simply served as a standalone treat. Additionally, bone broth can be frozen into ice cube trays or silicone molds to create refreshing and nutritious frozen treats for your pup.

7.Liver detox: Bone broth can play a crucial role in supporting liver health and detoxification in dogs. As the master organ of detoxification, the liver is constantly working to neutralize and eliminate toxins from the body. However, modern living exposes dogs to a myriad of environmental toxins, chemicals, and synthetic ingredients that can overwhelm the liver's natural detoxification processes.

The liver's ability to detoxify is dependent on the availability of certain nutrients, including the amino acid glycine. Glycine plays a key role in the synthesis of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that aids in detoxification and protects liver cells from damage.

Fortunately, bone broth is rich in glycine, making it an excellent dietary addition to support liver health in dogs. By providing a readily available source of glycine, bone broth helps support the liver's detoxification processes, allowing it to function optimally despite the daily onslaught of toxins.

Ingredients for THCKCS Bone Broth

• 2-3 pounds of cartilage rich raw bones (The best bones for broth are full of connective tissue like joints or knuckle bones for beef and feet for chicken.)

• Think about getting the big joints responsible for moving animals around. These are feet, hips and knees.You can usually get these free from any reputable local butcher.

• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

• 2 handfuls cruciferous vegetables, chopped

• 1 handful super mushrooms, chopped

• 1 teaspoon turmeric

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1-2 cloves of garlic

• Optional extras: dandelions, burdock root, oregano and parsley.

• Water to cover.

How to prepare Bone Broth at home

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the raw bones on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven for 30-45 minutes, or until they are browned and slightly caramelized. This step helps enhance the flavour of the bone broth.

2. Transfer the roasted bones to a large stockpot or slow cooker. Add the apple cider vinegar, and any other nutritional ingredients if using.

3. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the bones and vegetables completely. Add more water if necessary.

4. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer the bone broth for 12-24 hours. The longer you simmer the broth, the richer and more flavourful it will become.

5. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface of the broth periodically during cooking.

6. Once the bone broth has finished simmering, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.

7. Strain the bone broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any solids. Discard the bones and vegetables.

8. Allow the bone broth to cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers or ice cube trays for storage.

9. Store the bone broth in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze it for longer storage. Thaw frozen bone broth in the refrigerator before serving to your dog.

How can I feed Bone Broth to my dog?

To serve, simply warm up the bone broth and pour it over your dog's food as a tasty and nutritious addition to their meal. You can also offer it to your dog as a standalone treat or freeze it into ice cube trays for a refreshing summer snack. Your pup will love the homemade goodness of this nutritious bone broth!

For general maintenance, 50ml per dog per day is sufficient. For recovering dogs this should be upped to 500ml per day for a 48 hour period.

Alternatively, if you do not wish to cook your own bone broth brands such as karnlea, anco, boil & brothand Hackney dog house (UK) and Green JuJu, Native Pet and Natures Diet sell shelf stable bone broth.