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Writer's pictureKari Bastyr, MS, CDBC, CPCN

Dog Nutrition: Bone Broth for Dogs

In this day and age, millions of dog parents are interested in helping their pets live a healthy, long, enriched life. Our dogs are our kids, and we want them to have the best of everything, including providing them with quality food, treats, and medical care. With all the toxins, stressors, and potential illnesses our dogs can be exposed to, it is more important than ever to make sure their microbiome is top-notch and is creating a healthy immune system.

One of the easiest things you can do to boost your dog’s immune system is to make bone broth. And you can use it for many different things:

~ Pour over meals/Use as a topper ~ Pour it cold into water bowl on a hot day ~ Use to rehydrate dehydrated raw ~ Freeze in a lick mat ~ Make doggie ice cubes for treats

There are many health benefits for bone broth, too.

~ Improves Digestive Health ~ Heals Gut Lining ~ Boosts Immune System ~ Supports Strong Joints ~ Decreases Inflammation ~ Aids in Liver Detoxification

Making your own bone broth is really easy, and doesn’t take a lot of ingredients or energy. I use simple ingredients and just throw them in my Instant Pot or slow cooker.  Below is my favorite 6-ingredient (5, if you take out the ginger) bone broth that you can use and freeze as early as today.  If I can make it, anyone can.


RECIPE:

Ingredients

  1. 2 pounds beef marrow bones

  2. 4 carrots cut into chunks (you do not need to wash or peel- dirt is good!)

  3. 4 celery stalks cut into chunks (you do not need to wash- dirt is good!)

  4. Small handful of parsley leaves

  5. 3TB fresh ginger cut into a chunk (this is optional)

  6. ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (helps extract the minerals from the bones)

  7. Water

You can also add shitake mushrooms, chicken bones, pigs feet, or oxtail… or any combination of the above.

Instructions

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

  1. Place bones in the bottom of the Instant Pot.

  2. Add vegetables and parsley.

  3. Add enough water to cover.

  4. Add apple cider vinegar.

  5. Cook on high pressure for 2 hours. Allow pressure to release naturally.

  6. Strain into a large pot or metal mixing bowl. Discard cooked bones and vegetables.

  7. Pour the broth into an airtight containers, like mason jars (I use empty ghee jars) and place it in the refrigerator overnight.

  8. Before using, scrape off fatty topper and discard.

  9. Pour over kibble, raw food, or dehydrated raw food to rehydrate.

Crock Pot Slow Cooker

  1. Place the bones in the bottom of the Crock Pot.

  2. Add vegetables and parsley.

  3. Add enough water to cover.

  4. Add apple cider vinegar.

  5. Cook on low for 24 hours.

  6. Strain into a large pot or metal mixing bowl. Discard cooked bones and vegetables.





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