On the human food scene, bone broth has been something of a trend for years. That’s for good reason, too. Bone broth delivers health benefits from improved joint health to a stronger immune system.
Those perks don’t stop with humans. In pets, too, bone broth can do a world of good. And because it’s an easy thing to add to a pet’s food dish — and add some flavor to their meals — more and more dog and cat owners are serving up broth.
To help you decide if this option is right for your furry family member, let’s look at what bone broth is and what it does for your pet’s health.
The basics of bone broth
Bone broth is what it sounds like: broth that you get from cooking bones in liquid. Usually, you make it by simmering animal bones in water over low heat for a long period, letting the nutrients in the bones transfer into the liquid.
When you give bone broth to your pets, it gives them an added dose of essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. At the same time, because it’s a liquid, it boosts hydration.
But that’s not all. The American Kennel Club cites further bone broth benefits, including:
- A stronger immune system
- Reduced inflammation
- Stronger joints
- Healthier skin and coat
- Better digestive health
- Liver detoxification
All told, adding bone broth is a little like adding a multivitamin to your pet’s meals — only it’s one they’ll love the taste of, too.
How to add bone broth to your pet’s diet
This can be as complicated or as simple as you want. You have a couple of options here.
Make it yourself
You’ll need some animal bones (e.g., beef, turkey, pork, chicken) with the marrow. A local butcher’s shop should be able to help you out.
Cook these with a few quarts of water on low heat for 12-24 hours. You may also want to add a little apple cider vinegar because this can help nutrients transfer from the bones to the liquid.
Remove all the bones and put the broth in the fridge. Once it’s cooled, skim the fat off the top. You now have a broth you can add to Fido or Fifi’s next meal.
Make it easy: buy bone broth
If that sounds like a hassle, no sweat. You can buy premade bone broth. But as with pretty much all foods — and especially pet foods — not everything is created equal. High-quality ingredients mean your pet is getting the nutrients and health boost they deserve.
Before you snag a bone broth and start adding it to your pet’s food bowl, check the ingredients. They should be minimal and you should know where the bone in said broth comes from. For example, the broth in our King Lou Bone Broth Boosters comes from grass-fed beef. That means healthier cows, which means more nutrient density in the broth we get from their bones.
And our Boosters only have two ingredients: the bone broth plus one functional add-in. We offer broth with:
- Green-lipped mussel for joint support
- Turkey tail mushroom for immune support
- Wheatgrass for digestive support
Our broth comes in powder form so you have options, too. You can sprinkle it straight on top of wet or dry food. Or you can mix it into some warm water to create a nourishing drink for your pet.
All told, if you’re looking for a simple, versatile way to give your cat or dog a health boost, our Boosters deliver. Get yours today.