The popularity of bone broth has risen in recent years, especially for people following the paleo diet, so we can’t help but wonder: Can dogs have bone broth too? Are there benefits of bone broth for dogs, or is it just a fad?
We say bone broth for dogs is worth the hype for these 6 reasons!
6 Benefits of Bone Broth for Dogs
1. Joint Protection
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- Bone broth is a rich source of collagen, which can support joint health, and therefore, decrease pain from arthritis.
- Collagen is a popular addition to both human and pet diets because it is the most abundant protein in mammals!
- The body naturally produces collagen, however, this production declines with age so supplements or food sources of collagen are important.
- As the main component of connective tissue, collagen’s role is to provide structure for bones, skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and more.
- As discussed in our post about the best food for senior dogs, it is especially important to feed older dogs food rich in protein and strengthen their muscle mass because muscles have a function in immunity!
2. Immune System Boost
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- A healthy gut leads to a healthy immune system!
- Bone broth is easily digestible and packs a punch with vitamins and minerals from the bones and tissues.
- Some of the vitamins and nutrients found in bone broth include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A and K, fatty acids, selenium, zinc, and manganese.
- This is not including the many vitamins and minerals that could come from added vegetables!
3. Detoxification
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- Perhaps the most surprising benefit of bone broth is its ability to detox the body!
- Bone broth detoxes the body with the powerful antioxidant glutathione, which is stimulated by glycine.
- Glutathione reduces oxidative stress, but more importantly, helps prevent and repair cell damage in fatty liver disease through detoxification!
4. Gut Health & Digestion Support
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- The gelatin in bone broth will aid in your dog’s digestion by binding with the water in their digestive tract and helping food move through more smoothly.
- The amino acids in bone broth, including glutamine and glycine, can help the gut repair itself. This can help accelerate the healing process for dogs with leaky guts.
- In the future we’ll be posting our own blog about leaky gut syndrome, but until then this resource provides helpful information.
5. Elevated Hydration
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- The electrolytes in bone broth ensure the body properly absorbs water and maintains hydration!
- Some of the electrolytes in bone broth include potassium, phosphorus, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and sodium.
6. Healthy Skin & Coat
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- A diet rich in protein leads to a shinier coat and improved skin health because protein supports healthy cell growth.
- Collagen, which also supports bone and joint health as mentioned above, enhances skin health by increasing its elasticity.
How to make bone broth for dogs?
There are several store-bought options of bone broth for dogs, however, making your own bone broth for dogs is an easy way to ensure there aren’t unwanted added ingredients, like salt, sugar, and preservatives.
When making bone broth for dogs at home, read recipes carefully and keep in mind that there are ingredients in typical bone broth recipes for humans that should be left out.
For example, many human recipes call for ingredients such as undiluted apple cider vinegar, wine, bay leaves, and onions, all of which should be avoided in a dog-friendly recipe.
Common recipes of bone broth for dogs will contain healthy ingredients, such as carrots and parsley.
Our guide to vegetables dogs can eat can be a good starting point for extra ingredients to include.
Soon we’ll be sharing some of our favorite bone broth recipes on the blog:
- Classic Bone Broth with Veggies
- Apple Bone Broth
- Watermelon Bone Broth
- Cucumber Bone Broth
Pour your homemade bone broth over their dry food or serve on its own! You can also try freezing it in an ice cube tray for a savory frozen treat.