When it comes to keeping our pets happy and healthy, hydration often takes a backseat to food. But in a hot and humid climate like Singapore, water is as essential as ever for our furry friends. Imagine a wholesome, tasty way to hydrate your pets while nourishing their joints, skin, and overall well-being. That’s where bone broth steps in—a powerhouse drink that is packed with vitamin and mineral-rich nutrients for pets.

For cats, hydration is even more critical. As descendants of desert-dwelling felines, cats have a low thirst drive, which makes them more susceptible to dehydration. Many cats also turn their noses up at stagnant water, preferring fresh, moving sources instead. Bone broth for dogs and cats can be an ideal solution to help your cat or dog get the hydration they need, while adding a boost of essential nutrients. In this blog, we’ll explore why bone broth is more than just a tasty drink, delve into the unique health benefits it offers, and share a step-by-step guide on how to make this nourishing elixir at home for your pet.

Benefits of Bone Broth

Whether it is made with chicken, beef or pork bones,  bone broth is no ordinary stock. It is cooked for an extended period of time, usually no less than 8 hours, which results in a rich blend of compounds like chondroitin, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and collagen. These nutrients provide health benefits that support your pet’s joint, gut, and overall health.

First, chondroitin helps to maintain the viscosity of synovial fluid, supporting joint health. It is also an essential building block for cartilage, helping keep your pet’s joints strong and resilient. MSM, on the other hand, plays a role in reducing inflammation in bones, hips, and joints. It also enhances immune function and provides relief from muscle and joint pain, keeping your pets active and comfortable.

Additionally, naturally occurring collagen in bone broth supports digestive health, soft skin, and a shiny coat. This protein aids in the repair of the gut lining, which can improve digestion and nutrient absorption. Given its hydrating properties, bone broth is also a wonderful way to increase water intake, especially for cats who are prone to dehydration. Adding it to your pet’s meals enhances both the flavour and nutritional content, ensuring they receive adequate hydration from the best bone broth for dogs and cats.

Ways to Make Bone Broth for Your Pet

To draw out the maximum amount of nutrients, bone broth soup needs to be cooked for a long time. Research published in the Journal of Food Control reveals that extending the cooking time of bone soup increases the levels of minerals and collagen [1]. You can make bone broth in several ways, each with its own advantages:

• Slow Cooker: Ideal for low and slow cooking, the slow cooker method allows you to leave the pet-friendly bone broth to simmer for up to 24 hours. This extended cook time provides the richest flavour and highest nutrient yield.
• Pressure Cooker: Perfect for those short on time, a pressure cooker speeds up the process to just one hour, while still allowing pressure to build up, infusing the broth with nutrients.
• Stove Top: While it requires more supervision, cooking bone broth on the stove takes between 6 to 8 hours on a low heat and offers good control over the simmering process.

Bone Broth Recipe for Dogs and Cats

No matter which cooking method you choose, you’ll need a few basic ingredients:

• 500g-800g Raw Bones: Choose parts rich in collagen, like knuckles, joints, marrow, and feet. Proteins like pork, fish and beef contain the most collagen.
• 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar: Just a tablespoon helps draw out more nutrients from the bones.
• 8-10 Cups of Water: Essential for simmering the broth and containing all that goodness.
• Herbs (Optional): You can add herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra health benefits. For example, thyme or rosemary. They aid in digestion and provide antioxidants, respectively.

Steps

1. Combine bones, apple cider vinegar, and water in your pot. Ensure that there is enough water to cover the bones completely. Add optional herbs for flavour and health benefits.

2. Choose your cooking method:

• Slow Cooker: Set on low and cook for 24 hours for the best results.
• Stove: Cook on medium heat till it reaches a boil, reducing it to low heat and simmer for a minimum of 4 hours, while checking occasionally. To maximize benefits, simmer for up to 6-8 hours
• Pressure Cooker: Set according to the pressure cooker’s instructions and cook for about one hour and allow pressure to escape before opening.

3. Let the broth cool to room temperature, then remove the bones, herbs, and any fat that has solidified at the top before feeding. 

4. Transfer remaining broth into an airtight container and store in the fridge or distribute bone broth into ice cube trays to freeze until you’re ready to feed.

How Often Should Bone Broth Be Given to Your Pet?

Bone broth can be given daily, either alongside meals or as a midday drink. While it may take time to prepare, the health benefits are well worth the effort.

If you’d prefer to skip the hassle but reap the benefits of the best bone broth for your pet, The Grateful Pet offers five delicious flavours of bone broth collagen made with 100% natural ingredients and simmered for 48 hours to maximize nutrients. They’re suitable for both dogs and cats and come with added superfoods like turkey tail mushroom or New Zealand green-lipped mussel for an extra boost.

Reference

[1] Desorption of nutrients and flavor compounds formation during the cooking of bone soup– Journal of Food Control, Feb 2022 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713521005466