Bone broth can be a beneficial addition to your dog’s diet

Also called liquid gold, bone broth has risen in fame because of its nutritional benefits and the fact that it’s relatively cheap to make. It is very versatile and can be used as a base for cooking or soups and even as a health supplement for you and your dog.

Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue with vegetables, seasoning and vinegar, the acid breaks down the collagen and connective tissue. 

The longer the bone broth cooks, the better. Most recipes recommend cooking for 10 to 12 hours to release the maximum nutritional benefits. You’ll also notice that the texture changes the longer it cooks. It becomes more gelatinous and good broth will set in the jars at room temperature. 

What nutrients does bone broth contain?

According to Healthline.com the nutrient content of bone broth depends on the ingredients and their quality:

The bone itself yields minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Sodium, magnesium, and potassium may also be present.

Bone marrow gives you vitamins A, B2, B12, and E, plus omega-3s, omega-6s, and minerals like calcium, iron, selenium, and zinc.

The connective tissue provides glucosamine and chondroitin, which are popular dietary supplements for arthritis and joint pain.

Bones, marrow, and connective tissue are all largely made up of the protein collagen, which turns into gelatin when cooked. Gelatin has a unique profile of amino acids and is particularly high in the amino acid glycine.

Traditional bone broth recipes are not always suitable for dogs as they contain ingredients that should be avoided. 

Tips for making good, dog-friendly bone broth

1. Steer clear of onions…
   Onions contain a toxic principle known as N-propyl disulfide, which causes a breakdown of red blood cells leading to anaemia in dogs, according to the American Kennel Club.  Onions and the rest of the allium family (*garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives) are harmful to dogs and should be avoided.
   
   *Some outdated studies have shown that garlic is toxic for dogs, however, The Forever Dog book's authors, Dr Karen Becker and Rodney Habib, bust the myth on garlic toxicity for dogs - click here to watch their video
   
   
2. Discard of the cooked bones
   Giving your dog a raw, uncooked bone to chew on is great but avoid cooked bones at all cost. These can easily splinter or in large quantities cause constipation. Discard of any bones you’ve used in the broth. If you’re using chicken feet, be sure to meticulously remove all the tiny bones from the claws.
   
   
3. Easy on the salt
   Although we use salt to season almost everything, it can lead to increased thirst and urination in dogs, which leads to dehydration. It can also cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhoea when ingested in larger amounts, according to Rover.com. You can add turmeric which is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties and has benefits for cardiovascular, joint and brain health. Some people add fresh or dried herbs as well. 
   
   
4. Use a pressure or slow cooker
   With a pressure or slow cooker you can reduce the cooking time of your broth. I use an Instant Pot on the soup/broth function, on a high-pressure level and cook it for four hours. 

Kygo’s bone broth recipe

Click here to watch an easy, step-by-step bone broth video.

Ingredients

1 – 1.5kgs of beef marrow and/or lamb knuckle bones (depending on the size of the pot) *You can make broth using chicken feet, a whole chicken, or fish bones

3 or 4 chopped carrots 

3 whole sticks of celery (chopped)

1 teaspoon of ground turmeric or the fresh root

5 peppercorns

A sprinkle of salt

¼ cup of Apple Cider vinegar (you can use white spirit vinegar as well)

Water – to fill up your pot 2/3rds of the way 

Instructions

I start by grilling my bones (usually free range, grass fed beef marrow and lamb knuckle bones) in the oven on 200 degrees Celsius, which I’ve drizzled with some olive oil and a light seasoning of salt and pepper. I grill on each side for about 15mins.  I roast the bones to enhance the flavour profile and add to the rich, golden brown colour of the broth. 

*If you’re using chicken feet, blanch in hot water and remove the outer layer of the feet before adding it to your pot. Click here to watch an easy, step-by-step video on how to make chicken feet broth.

Once the bones are done, arrange the hot bones in the Instant Pot and add all the juices from the oven tray. 

Add the chopped carrots and celery, the apple cider vinegar, turmeric, peppercorns and salt. Then top up the pot with water to the 2/3rds mark. 

Close the lid and make sure the sealing mechanism is activated. Once its cooked, I let it naturally release the steam.

Once I remove the lid, I strain the liquid into jars (use Mason jars or regular 500ml jars that have been cleaned and don’t have a smell to them). 

I remove the marrow and bits of meat from the bones and keep it on a plate. I discard of the bones. I take the carrot and celery pieces, as well as some meaty bits and marrow and add a bit of everything to ice trays or silicone moulds and then top up with broth which I freeze. It not only prolongs the shelf life, but also makes it easy from a portion perspective. You can defrost in the microwave and wait for it to cool before serving to your pet to lap up or adding it to their meals.

Some say the broth with the fat layer unpierced, can last for a few months in the fridge. I’ve always used it within a week, unless I freeze it. 

*I'm not a dog nutritionist but rather a passionate dog mom who has researched ways to feed beneficial foods for joint-related conditions, in addition to supplements.