Looking for an easy, delicious way to boost your pet’s meals? Look no further.

Dogs and cats love the flavor of bone broth, and while this superfood is known for its joint health benefits, it’s actually chock full of nutrients that support their wellness from nose to tail.

In honor of Holistic Pet Month, learn five surprising benefits of supplementing your pet’s diet with bone broth.

What Exactly Is Bone Broth?

Bone broth is a stock derived from bones, marrow, and connective tissues. It’s slow cooked with an acidic component like apple cider vinegar to break down the whole food ingredients into a highly digestible, nutrient dense liquid. The longer the broth is cooked, the more nutrient-rich the end result will be.

Ready-made bone broth found in grocery stores, made for humans, may be high in sodium and can contain additional ingredients that may not be safe for pets to consume. It’s possible to make bone broth at home, though it takes hours, even days to make and can take several tries to perfect. You can also find bone broth pet food topper that’s ready to use to top their food or feed as a liquid treat.

Bone broth is highly beneficial for dogs and cats of all ages, from puppies and kittens to senior pets. As with any new food introduction, start offering bone broth in small amounts, and contact your veterinarian before feeding if your pet is on any medication or has a chronic health condition.

How Bone Broth Supports Joint Health and Mobility

Did you know that over 80% of dogs and cats will develop osteoarthritis in at least one joint in their senior years? With aging and daily wear and tear comes the natural deterioration of joint tissue. Supplementing your pet’s diet with bone broth supplies glucosamine and chondroitin, the building blocks of joint tissue, and may also stimulate collagen production. Bone broth derived from grass fed beef is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce painful inflammation.

5 Unexpected Benefits of Bone Broth for Pets

While many pet parents are aware of the joint-supporting properties of bone broth, there are many surprising benefits that support your pet’s wellness at any life stage.

1. May help relieve allergic itch.

Leaky gut syndrome, also known as intestinal permeability, describes a condition in which the lining of the digestive system has become porous, allowing proteins and microorganisms to cross over from the intestines into the bloodstream. This can potentially be an underlying cause for inflammatory autoimmune conditions and food intolerances. While more research is needed to determine the role of leaky gut in chronic inflammatory diseases in pets and how bone broth can help, many pet parents see improvements in symptoms like gastric upset, recurring infections, and itch associated with allergies and food sensitivities. What’s more, the amino acid protein can help promote healing of itchy, inflamed skin.

2. May improve digestion.

For pets with sensitive digestion, bone broth can help. Its high moisture content helps keep pets hydrated, helping the body break down foods and eliminate wastes. The gelatin and cartilage can help soothe painful inflammation of the stomach and gut in pets prone to stomach issues like acid reflux and diarrhea. Finally, collagen has been linked to improved balance in the gut microbiome, potentially to relieve gas and indigestion while supporting a healthy immune system.

3. Builds strong bones and muscles.

Bone broth is rich in collagen that the body breaks down into two primary amino acids, glycine and proline, which contribute to the building and repair of muscle and joint tissue. It’s also high in calcium, the mineral that helps build strong bones and teeth. For both senior cats and dogs, which lose protein as they get older, and growing puppies and kittens, who need nutrient-dense foods to build strong bones, teeth, and tissues, bone broth can supply the building blocks the body needs.

4. Promotes healthy brain function.

Bone broth can help support your pet’s brain health for better memory, learning, and cognition. From puppies and kittens whose brains are still developing, to senior pets susceptible to cognitive dysfunction, bone broth can support brain health at any age. Glycine, one of the main components of collagen in bone broth, helps supply energy to the brain cells and promotes mood stability, while protein in bone broth helps fuel all of the brain’s processes.

5. May support healthy weight loss.

Bone broth may help pets maintain or achieve a healthy weight. Muscle-building amino acids can help build, repair, and retain muscle while your pet loses weight, helping to maintain their metabolism so they burn more calories. Additionally, bone broth adds moisture, volume, and protein to your pet’s diet, helping them feel more satiated on fewer calories. That said, bone broth should be accounted for in your pet’s daily caloric intake. It works best as part of a reduced calorie diet and can make a great alternative to higher calorie treats.

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.