Bone Broth: A Nutrient Powerhouse for Pets
Personal homemade recipes perfect for your cats and dogs.
If you're looking for a nutrient-packed boost for your dog or cat, homemade bone broth is an excellent choice. This ancient elixir is back in the spotlight, loaded with minerals, amino acids, and compounds that promote overall health for our four-legged friends.
Benefits of Bone Broth for Cats and Dogs
Bone broth offers a wide range of benefits, including:
Hydration: The gelatin content helps increase water intake, especially for pets that don't drink enough.
Joint Support: Packed with glucosamine, chondroitin, and other compounds that ease achiness and support mobility.
Gut Health: Amino acids like glycine and glutamine soothe the gut lining and support digestion.
Immune Boost: Rich in minerals like zinc, iron, and manganese that enhance immune function.
The Secret is in the Simmer
To make bone broth, simmer bones (such as duck, beef, or turkey) with a splash of apple cider vinegar for 24–48 hours. This slow cooking extracts maximum nutrients, including marrow and minerals.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate bone broth for 5–7 days or freeze for longer. For convenience, freeze portions in silicone ice cube trays for easy serving.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought
While store-bought bone broth is convenient, making your own ensures better control over ingredients. When purchasing, choose products without additives, artificial flavors, or toxic ingredients like onion. Look for brands like Green Juju or Answers Pet Food, which produce pet-safe bone broths.
Jelly Gold: The Nutritional Gem
As the broth cools, you'll notice it form into jiggly gelatin. This jiggly product is pure healthy goodness waiting to benefit your pet! You can stir it into their meals for added gut-healing properties. Or, serve as a healthy snack in between meals.
Endless Possibilities
Bone broth is incredibly versatile and can easily be incorporated into your pet's diet in many ways, from meal toppers to treats and beyond. It's a simple yet impactful way to boost nutrients and provide extra hydration for your furry friend.
When it comes to preparation, there are two great options to consider:
Instant Pot: Seal the lid and cook on manual high pressure for 240 minutes (4 hours). If your model only allows for a maximum of 120 minutes, simply run two back-to-back cycles. This method is perfect when you want nutrient-packed bone broth in less time.
Stovetop: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 24-48 hours. Check periodically to ensure it doesn’t reduce too much. This method takes more time but delivers rich, flavorful results.
Both methods will yield a nutrient-rich broth your pet will love. Once prepared, you can portion it into servings, refrigerate or freeze it, and use it as needed to enhance your pet’s meals or provide a hydrating, nourishing treat!
Beefy Bone Broth
Ingredients:
3 to 4 pounds (or more) raw beef bones with marrow (any bones will do: chicken, turkey, rabbit, pork or oxtail)
3 inches ginger root, roughly chopped
Handful of fresh parsley
4 ounces mushrooms
2 carrots, halved
2 stalks celery, halved
¼ cup organic raw apple cider vinegar (it helps pull the minerals and marrow from the bones)
3 cloves garlic, smashed
Water to cover
Instructions:
Place bones in a pot and cover with water. Add vinegar and let sit for 30 mins.
Add all remaining ingredients.
Cook:
Instant Pot, seal lid and cook on high pressure for 240 minutes (4 hours), or run two 120 minute cycles. Once cook time is up, allow a natural pressure release if using a pressure cooker.
Slow cooker, set to low for 24-48 on low.
On stovetop, simmer on low, covered, for 24-48 hours, checking periodically.
Once cooled, strain, and skim fat. (Discard bones. Cooked bones are not safe for pets to consume).
Portion into airtight containers or freeze until ready to serve. Smaller silicone freezer molds are perfect for portioning.
Terrific Turkey Broth
Ingredients:
Carcass of 1 turkey
3 carrots, halved
3 stalks celery, halved
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
Water to cover
Instructions:
Place bones in a pot and cover with water. Add vinegar and let sit for 30 mins.
Add all remaining ingredients.
Cook:
Instant Pot, seal lid and cook on high pressure for 240 minutes (4 hours), or run two 120 minute cycles. Once cook time is up, allow a natural pressure release if using a pressure cooker.
Slow cooker, set to low for 24-48 on low.
On stovetop, simmer on low, covered, for 24-48 hours, checking periodically.
Once cooled, strain, and skim fat. (Discard bones. Cooked bones are not safe for pets to consume).
Portion into airtight containers or freeze until ready to serve. Smaller silicone freezer molds are perfect for portioning.
Rootin' Tootin' Bone Broth
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 pounds beef marrow bones
4 raw pig’s feet (not smoked, not pickled)
8 celery stalks, halved
4 carrots, halved
1 cup roughly chopped parsley
1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar
Water to cover
Instructions:
Line the bottom of your pot with roughly chopped fresh parsley.
Add in the bones - place the beef marrow bones in the center and arrange the pig's feet around them.
Pack in as many vegetable scraps (carrots, celery, mushrooms, etc.) as you can, filling any open spaces.
Pour in the apple cider vinegar and then cover everything with cold water.
Cook:
Instant Pot, seal lid and cook on high pressure for 240 minutes (4 hours), or run two 120 minute cycles. Once cook time is up, allow a natural pressure release if using a pressure cooker.
Slow cooker, set to low for 24-48 on low.
On stovetop, simmer on low, covered, for 24-48 hours, checking periodically.
Once cooled, strain, and skim fat. (Discard bones. Cooked bones are not safe for pets to consume).
Portion into airtight containers or freeze until ready to serve. Smaller silicone freezer molds are perfect for portioning.
Bone Broth: A Nutritional Gift for Your Pet
Bone broth is a true superfood for cats and dogs, packed with nutrients that promote hydration, joint health, gut healing, and overall vitality. This age-old elixir, rich in gelatin, amino acids, and minerals, is a simple yet powerful way to support your pet’s wellness.
By making it at home, you can ensure only the best ingredients are used, turning bones you might otherwise discard into a nourishing treat. With patience and a few basic steps, you’ll create a wholesome, protein-packed broth your furry friend will eagerly enjoy.
Treat your beloved pet to this timeless, nutrient-dense addition to their diet—and watch them thrive!
Safety Note
Avoid feeding cooked bones to your pets, as they can splinter and harm pets. After cooking dispose of the bones to prevents any accidents.
Avoid adding onions, leeks, and chives, and they are toxic to both cats and dogs.
Steer clear of bone broth if your pup has MCT (Mast Cell Tumors) The deal with bone broth is that while it's packed with nutrients and can be super beneficial, it can also be a histamine releaser, which might not be ideal for dogs with MCT. Mast Cell Tumors can cause histamine release, and adding more histamine into the mix with bone broth might exacerbate symptoms like itching or digestive upset.
Usage Tips
Creative ways to incorporate bone broth into your pet’s meals:
Pour Over Dry Food: Add a warm drizzle of bone broth over kibble to enhance flavor and boost hydration.
Mix with Wet Food: Blend bone broth into wet food for a silky texture and added nutrition.
Frozen Treats: Freeze the broth in molds for a refreshing summer snack.
Standalone Snack: Serve a small, warmed portion as a soothing and nourishing treat.
Supplements: Bone broth is an excellent way to serve supplements or medications. Simply mix them into the broth and serve it separately from meals, allowing your pet to enjoy their regular food without any added flavors. Plus, for supplements that need to be given on an empty stomach, bone broth provides the perfect delivery system!
Customization
Suggest tailoring bone broth recipes to meet specific pet needs:
For Allergies: Use single proteins like turkey or rabbit for sensitive pets.
Gut Health Boost: Add a sprinkle of slippery elm or marshmallow root powder for digestive support. Serve two hours away from meal time and any supplements or medications.
Anti-Inflammatory Boost: Stir in a small amount of turmeric with a pinch of black pepper for its anti-inflammatory properties.
FAQ Section
If you have a question and it has not been answered below, please email me at melissa@calmingcreek.com
Can puppies eat bone broth?
Yes! Bone broth is safe for puppies in small amounts. Introduce it gradually and watch for any sensitivities.How much should I feed my pet?
Start with small portions (1-2 tablespoons for cats or small dogs, ¼ to ½ cup for larger dogs) and adjust based on their size and preferences.Can bone broth replace water?
No, bone broth should supplement water, not replace it. Ensure your pet has constant access to fresh water.How often can I give bone broth?
It can be given daily or a few times a week as a nutritious topper or treat.Can I use store-bought bone broth?
Store-bought options can be fine, but ensure they’re free from added salt, onions, and preservatives. Look for pet-specific brands when in doubt.
About the Author
My name is Melissa, and I bring to you these insights as a certified holistic pet health coach and pet nutritionist, allowing me to provide holistic solutions for your furry and feathered family. I live on a farm sanctuary with my seven dogs and four cats, where I put my knowledge into practice every day. Your beloved pets are in good hands.
Thank you for taking the time to explore ways to enhance the quality of life for your furry companions. I hope my tips and recommendations prove invaluable to both you and your beloved pets. For more information and to discover how I can assist you further, please visit my website at calmingcreek.com.
I'd love to hear from you! Whether you have stories to share or questions to ask, don't hesitate to join the conversation in the comments section below.