The use of bone broth goes back to prehistoric times when humans had to maximize their caloric resources. In modern times, people primarily use bone broth as a base for soups, stews, and sauces. But it’s also become a trendy “drink” over the last decade for its purported health benefits.
Can dogs have bone broth? They sure can, and your canine companion likely will love this tasty treat as a meal topper or added to his water. Bone broth for dogs is growing in popularity as a nutritional supplement. But does it really benefit our furry friends? We’ll shed light on its potential health benefits and which products are best for your pup.
Is Bone Broth Good For Dogs?
Animal bones contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are excellent for dogs. But giving your pup a solid bone (raw or cooked) isn’t always safe. Some types of bones can splinter, posing a choking hazard and a potentially deadly risk that the sharp splinters could puncture your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
Is bone broth as nutritious? It depends. Unfortified bone broth doesn’t contain the same levels of vitamins and minerals as raw bones or meat. (Adding vegetables can help boost your broth.) But bone broth does contain many other beneficial nutrients such as:
- Important amino acids, like proline, boost the immune system
- Glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid for joint health
- Glycine, an amino acid that has anti-inflammatory properties, helps build tissue in the digestive tract and may help with liver detoxification
- Collagen, a protein that may help with joint, digestive, skin, and coat health
Bone Broth Benefits For Dogs
In addition to the ingredients and health benefits we highlight above, there are many other advantages of giving your pup or kitty bone broth, including:
- Enhanced hydration
- Easy to digest
- High in protein and low salt and fat content
- Excellent to moisten dehydrated or freeze-dried dog food
- Good for picky eaters to enhance food taste
- Good for sick pets who won’t eat
For your convenience and ultimate health benefits for your four-legged friend, you may want to consider a high-quality commercial bone broth formulated specifically for dogs instead of making your own. Some are fortified with nutrients and various other ingredients to promote canine health.
Best Bone Broth For Dogs
We’ve chosen our top picks based on several factors, including the quality of ingredients, pricing, customer feedback, and more. We recommend that you steer clear of most store-bought regular broths that aren’t made specifically for dogs. They often contain added sodium, which isn’t healthy for dogs, and other additives and ingredients that may not be good for dogs.
Article Link: https://www.caninejournal.com/bone-broth-for-dogs/