I am always on the lookout for the next best thing in dog care. To be honest, bone broth for dogs beats the competition by a mile.
Bone broth safety checklist
- No onion, garlic, chives or leeks (toxic to dogs).
- No added salt, stock cubes, seasoning or xylitol-containing products.
- Strain out every bone and bone fragment; never feed the cooked bones.
- Chill and remove the fat layer before serving.
- Ask your vet first if your dog has pancreatitis, kidney, liver or heart disease, or is on a prescription diet.
Call your vet right away if your dog vomits repeatedly, has belly pain, strains to pass stool, or seems weak after eating broth, bones or fatty scraps. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists eating trash, large amounts of table scraps or other inappropriate food as a common risk factor for pancreatitis in dogs, with loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain and diarrhea as common signs.
In this blog post, I will be discussing the primary benefit of adding bone broth to your dog’s diet as well as a delicious and super simple bone broth recipe for your pooch. If you would like to be updated about the latest available dog care tips, please subscribe to the blog so that I can send you the latest articles directly in your inbox.
Topics covered in this blog post
What is bone broth for dogs?
Many of us use leftover beef or pork bones to make stock or soup. A plain broth made specially for your dog, without onion, garlic, salt or seasoning, can be used as a tasty topper. Do not share soups or stews made for people: they usually contain onion, garlic, salt and fat.
By definition, bone broth is a liquid that is packed with nutrition from cooked or raw bones. The delicious taste of the bone broth is due to the slow cooking process which takes around 24 hours. A lot of dog guardians also prefer to add in a few vegetables to increase the nutritional level and the flavor of the broth.
One primary thing to keep in mind here is that bone broth should never be administered as a meal replacement for your dog. Bone broth for dogs is a nutritional supplement that can be added to your dog’s regular diet to complement the normal diet and provide a rich source of nutrition.
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What are the benefits of bone broth for dogs?
Bone broth is a very tasty meal supplement with a ton of nutritional benefits. If administered along with proper exercise as well as diet, bone broth can be a dynamite pack of nutrition for dogs and promote their well-being and longer life.
Bone broth and joint health
Joint health is an imperative part of the dog care process. It’s a special concern in the case of senior dogs who have previously sustained joint or bone injuries. Alternatively, in the case of dogs who have arthritis, joint care is of prime importance. There are specific breeds that are prone to joint ailments and need extra care.
Bone broth contains gelatin and collagen-derived protein and small, variable amounts of compounds such as glucosamine. There is little evidence that broth protects joints or prevents arthritis in dogs. If your dog belongs to a breed prone to joint problems, such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds or Labradors, keeping your dog lean and following your vet’s joint-care plan matter far more than any broth.
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Bone broth and the liver: no detox shortcut
The liver is the organ responsible for detoxifying the body, both in the case of canines as well as humans. Dogs tend to encounter a plethora of things in their regular life that forces their liver to work overtime, for example, licking the floor that has been cleaned with chemicals, eating grass that has insecticides and pesticides on it, licking the walls which may have harmful chemicals in the paint and finally consuming preservatives which may be present in the treats as well as toys like preservatives, etc.
Glycine is an amino acid the body uses in many processes, but bone broth has not been shown to “detox” the liver. If your dog shows possible signs of liver disease, such as yellow gums or eyes, vomiting, poor appetite or weight loss, see your vet. Dogs with liver disease often need a specific diet, so ask before adding broth.
Promotes good health and digestion
“Leaky gut” is a popular term, but in dogs it is not a well-defined diagnosis. Food allergies and digestive problems have many causes, and a dog with ongoing vomiting, diarrhea, itching or weight loss needs a vet exam rather than a home cure.
Gelatin is easy to digest, and some dogs enjoy broth when their appetite is low, but bone broth is not a cure for any gut condition. If your dog has kidney disease, has had cancer or pancreatitis, or is on a prescription diet, talk to your veterinarian before adding bone broth.
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Some other potential health advantages of bone broth for dogs:
- Bone broth is not an immune booster; there is no good evidence that it prevents disease in dogs.
- Plain, skimmed broth is usually easy to digest, and some dogs with a mild tummy upset accept it when they refuse food. Check with your vet first, and see your vet if vomiting or diarrhea continues.
- Bone broth adds flavor, moisture and some protein, but it is not a complete source of nutrients.
- Itchy, dry skin has many causes, including fleas and allergies, and needs a vet exam; broth will not treat it.
- Bone broth is highly palatable. This is what makes it very tempting even to the fussy eaters
- No special skills are required to prepare the bone broth. It is very easy to prepare and store.
- Bone broth can be made at very little cost. A large batch of the product can be made and stored at once and used over time.
- Bone broth can be used as stock even in your favorite dishes.
- Bone broth is safe for human consumption. It also provides a lot of health benefits to humans as it provides to dogs like better bone and joint health etc.
A dog that is underweight or malnourished needs a vet exam and a complete, balanced feeding plan. Broth can make food more appealing, but it cannot correct malnutrition.
Bone broth is low in calories only when the fat has been skimmed off. It will not make your dog lose weight by itself; weight loss needs a calorie-controlled plan from your vet.
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Can bone broth treat diseases in dogs?
No. Bone broth is not a treatment for any disease. Sick dogs need a diagnosis and treatment from a veterinarian. Here is what to know about some conditions that are often linked with bone broth online:
Pneumonia and kennel cough
Kennel cough is often mild, but it can progress to pneumonia. A coughing dog that is lethargic, breathing fast or with effort, not eating or has a fever needs a vet promptly, and puppies, seniors and short-nosed dogs need extra care. Warm, plain broth may tempt a sick dog to eat or drink, but it does not shorten the illness.
Never give a coughing dog human cough syrups or cold medicines unless your vet prescribes them. The FDA warns that some cough syrups and over-the-counter medicines contain xylitol, which can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs.
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Bone broth and inflammation
Inflammation in dogs has many causes, from infections to allergies and immune conditions. A sensitive stomach is not automatically a sign of intestinal inflammation; it can come from diet changes, parasites, food intolerance or other illness.
Amino acids in broth, such as glycine and glutamine, are studied for gut health, but there is no good evidence that bone broth reduces inflammation in dogs. Ongoing vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss or pain needs a vet visit.
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Bone broth and weight
Claims that bone broth changes gut bacteria such as Firmicutes and causes weight loss are not supported by good evidence in dogs. If your dog is overweight, ask your vet for a weight-loss plan with measured meals, low-calorie treats and more activity. If you use broth, skim off the fat and count it as part of the daily calories.
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A few things to remember regarding bone broth for dogs
Bone broth should never be used as a replacement to the bone meal or bone if you are providing your dog a raw diet.
Bone broth is not an alternative to commercial dog food or any kind of food your dog currently eats. Bone broth is only a nutritional supplement that can be added along with your dog’s regular food.
Chill the finished broth and lift off the hardened fat layer before serving. The FDA warns that fatty scraps such as fat trimmings and poultry skin can cause stomach upset and pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening disease. Strain the broth carefully so that no bones or bone fragments remain: cooked bones and sharp bone pieces can get stuck or cause severe internal injuries.
It is completely okay if the broth does not gel up. Do not throw away the product because it’s not gelling.
You can use different types of bones for flavor. Broth does contain some protein, gelatin and collagen, but the amounts of nutrients such as glucosamine or chondroitin are small and vary from batch to batch.
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The easiest bone broth recipe you will ever find:
Chop dog-safe vegetables such as carrots, celery or green beans and add them to the slow cooker. Never add onion, garlic, chives, leeks, salt, stock cubes or seasoning mixes. Next, add the bones; you can use bones of poultry, pork or beef.
Boil some water in the kettle first. Once the water has boiled, pour the water into the slow cooker. The water should cover the bones by a height of 2 inches. After this, add some apple cider vinegar.
Set the slow cooker on a low setting for 12 hour period. Keep checking every few hours and keep topping up the water so that the pot does not go dry.
You can leave the bone broth to cook for 12, 24, or 72 hours. Do not cook it for longer than 72 hours. Once the cooking is done, pour the broth through a fine strainer and check it carefully so that no bone pieces remain. Throw the cooked bones away in a closed trash bin your dog cannot get into; never feed them to your dog. Chill the broth and remove the fat layer before serving.
Once your bone broth is ready, you can keep the broth in the fridge and use it within a period of three days. In case you are planning to use the broth for longer periods, you can store the broth in ice trays and put it in the freezer. This way the bone broth can be used up to a period of a year.
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Tips to make the bone broth an easy snack for dogs
General feeding
If your dog is unwell, recovering from surgery, weak or elderly, ask your vet before offering broth, especially after surgery or if your dog is on a special diet. If your vet agrees, you can add a thawed cube of plain, skimmed broth to a meal. A dog that keeps vomiting, has diarrhea for more than a day, or will not eat needs a vet, not home treatment.
Make popsicles when it’s hot
You can turn the bone broth into a summer treat for your dogs. You can store the bone broth in the ice cream mold and make popsicles for your dog. Your dog will love a bone broth popsicle after spending a hot day outside playing.
Mix the bones
It is not necessary to always use beef and pig‘s bones only. You can go for duck, venison, chicken, goose, lamb, or turkey. You can choose the ones according to your preference and availability in your area. You are also not limited to only using the bones of the joint as well as feet. You can use bones from the shoulder, neck, or any other region which has a lot of marrow as well as connective tissue.
Never add garlic or onion to your dog’s bone broth. ASPCA Animal Poison Control lists garlic as toxic to dogs; garlic, onion and chives belong to the Allium family, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. If your dog eats food containing garlic or onion, call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
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Conclusion
Now you know that bone broth is not only a good option for dogs but for humans as well. It does not cost much to make this preparation and it is exceptionally healthy for both you as well as your pup. When making bone broth for dogs, mix it up with different livestock or poultry. You can also add vegetables to the bone broth which your dog would otherwise avoid eating and make it a wholesome nutritional supplement for your pup.
Please mention your thoughts on bone broth for dogs in the comment section below. Have you ever made bone broth at home? What is your secret to making your bone broth? What are the ways in which you feed bone broth to your dog?
If you liked this post and would like to be notified about the new blog posts the moment they are published, please subscribe to the blog so that I can send you the new blog posts directly in your inbox. If you have any queries regarding this blog post or any other blog post, feel free to reach out to me on any of my social media channels. Alternatively, you can also mention your queries in the comment section below, I will be happy to help.
Shruti
Frequently asked questions
Is bone broth good for dogs?
Plain, homemade bone broth without onion, garlic, salt or seasoning can be a tasty, hydrating food topper for many healthy dogs. It is not a complete food and does not treat disease. Skim off the fat, make sure no bone pieces remain, and check with your vet first if your dog has a health condition.
Start with a small amount, such as a spoonful or two over food for a small dog, and watch for stomach upset. Count broth as a treat in your dog’s daily calories, and ask your vet how much is right, especially for dogs that are overweight or on a special diet.
Only if it is made for dogs, or if the label shows it is plain and low in sodium with no onion, garlic, xylitol or seasoning. Most broths for people contain onion, garlic and a lot of salt. ASPCA Poison Control warns that onion, garlic and chives can damage red blood cells and that excess salt can cause vomiting, tremors, seizures and even death. “Organic” or “non-GMO” labels do not make a broth safe for dogs.
Many older dogs enjoy plain broth over food, and it can help a picky senior eat or drink. It does not treat arthritis. Senior dogs are more likely to have kidney, liver or heart disease, so ask your vet before adding broth, and work with your vet on proven arthritis care such as weight control and prescribed pain relief.
