Still feeling incredibly stuffed from the holidays but reluctant to let those bones from your tasty meal go to waste? Do yourself (and your dog) a favor and make some easy bone broth they’ll salivate over. There are many reasons that experts say bone broth is beneficial for dogs – particularly aging or sick canines – here are the top reasons:
- Supports your dog’s immune system
- Maintains healthy digestion & soothes tummy issues
- A natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, both of which are excellent for bones and joints
- Packed with minerals, which are good for your pup
- Easy to make, for even the most inexperienced cook.
Although on the internet you can discover a ton of different ways to make bone broth (there’s no set way, so you’re allowed to get creative), here’s the basic recipe you’ll need – plus a few add-ons to keep things interesting.
Step One: Get Everything Ready for your Bone Broth
This means collecting the carnage of your holiday meal and preparing to make something beautiful from it. Well, as beautiful as bone broth can be. Gather all of the ingredients together – you’ll need:
- Bones (chicken, turkey, beef, whatever you enjoyed over the holidays)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Water
Step Two: Get the Broth Cookin’ (and Smelling) Delicious
Put all of the bones in your crock-pot. You can also just use a pot on the stove, but the crock-pot is the simplest way, since you won’t have to worry about leaving it unattended. Add enough water to cover the bones by about an inch, then add two to four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The apple cider vinegar helps pull all of the minerals and nutrients out of the bones and into your broth. Set your crock-pot to low and let everything cook for 24 hours – though some (patient) people prefer cooking it for up to 72 hours. Keep an eye on your super-delicious creation adding water as needed to keep the bones covered.
Step Three: When Can My Pooch Enjoy the Broth?
Your broth is almost ready to use. Strain the bones from the broth and cool before serving. Your dogs may have trouble containing their excitement since they’ve been smelling the broth simmering for hours. Bone broth can be kept frozen (try using ice cub trays for easy portioning) for up to a year. Broth kept in the fridge must be used in 3-4 days.
Extra Ways to Spruce Up Your Bone Broth:
- Chicken feet, joints, and knuckles add lots of flavor and gelatin.
- Celery, carrots, and spinach are healthy additions that are easy for dogs to digest – add near the end of cooking time to soften.
- Substitute apple cider vinegar with lemon juice – it’ll work just as well
- Start with raw bones if more convenient, some grocers and butchers keep them frozen for convenience.
- Make “pup-sicles” from the broth as a cool treat in the summer
Winter is the perfect time to offer your four-legged friend this warm, tasty treat. So get cookin’ and your dog will reap the benefits of the nutrients and love that delicious homemade flavor. Happy simmering!
Featured image: Stuff on Scout’s Head
