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The internet is filled with articles about the benefits of bone broth for people, dogs, and cats. These sensationalist pieces proclaim that bone broth, including beef broth, is a wonder drug or a superfood. However, can dogs eat beef broth, and is it safe for them? The answer to both of these questions is yes. Dogs can eat beef broth, and it is very safe. Beef broth has several benefits for dogs, but the results might not be as promising as some articles make them sound. Here are the best ways to feed bone broth and the benefits you can expect to see, as well as the safety concerns.
Is Beef Broth Safe for Dogs?
Yes. Beef broth is safe for dogs, provided it has no additional additives or ingredients beyond beef bones and water. In the wild, dogs eat small animals and scavenge meals from corpses. Dogs regularly chew on bones and eat leftover pieces of carrion. Bone broth, including beef broth, simulates these benefits that dogs get in the wild. Pure beef broth is one of the safest and most natural liquids that your dog can eat on a regular basis.
However, you need to be careful not to feed too much broth too quickly. Too much broth can still upset your dog’s stomach if you are not careful. Sensitive dogs will need to get used to the broth like any other food if you plan on feeding it regularly.
How to Best Feed Beef Broth
Like any new food, it is recommended to feed beef broth sparingly at first. Many dogs are very sensitive to new foods and overloading your dog on bone broth can cause them to get sick or have a stomachache. The same goes for new dry food. The best way to start feeding beef broth is to put 2 tablespoons of broth over your dog’s regular dog food. You do not need to have them drink the pure bone broth. You only need to serve it when your dog is not feeling well or will not eat or drink their usual food or water, under guidance from your vet.
You can add 1 or 2 tablespoons of beef broth to your dog’s water to encourage more drinking or add 1 tablespoon to their food and 1 tablespoon to their water. If your dog likes beef broth and is getting benefits, you can increase the amount slowly. You can consult your veterinarian about the ideal amount of broth for your dog for a more exact amount.
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Uses for Beef Broth
Beef broth has some legitimate uses that can help dogs in numerous ways. First, it is a great way to get dogs to drink when they are not feeling well. Adding bone broth to water will make it taste better and encourage drinking. Similarly, adding it to food that a dog is picky about eating can help. This can apply to dogs that are ill or those that are simply not impressed with the food. This is a great way to get dogs to eat and drink after trauma, surgery, or when stressed.
Beef broth is very easy on the stomach, so it is ideal to serve when dogs are having stomach or other GI issues. You can add beef broth to water, put it over rice, or add it to small quantities of their regular food. Beef broth can help dogs that are vomiting or experiencing diarrhea. This, of course, does not apply to dogs that have beef allergies.
Benefits of Feeding Beef Broth
Beef broth is reported to have many benefits for dogs but there are no studies into its health properties. It is loaded with collagen, but it’s unclear if it’s assimilated and used by the body for joint health. Bone broth also contains small amounts of glycine, an amino acid with effects on muscle mass.
The effects on the immune system and coat health are also not clearly documented. The clearest benefits are increasing the palatability of foods and helping with hydration. Despite the benefits, you can still accidentally overfeed your dog bone broth and cause stomach irritation. It is best given as an occasional treat.
Can You Make Your Own Beef Broth?
Yes. You can make beef broth at home. You only need beef bones (typically obtained from a local butcher), a large pot, and water. There are numerous recipes online that have different tips and tricks to create the best broth. The trick is to boil the bones for multiple hours and strain the resulting broth out of the pot.
However, you should avoid adding salt, pepper, onions, or garlic. Some spices and additives can harm your dog, and it’s safer to serve the broth plain.
Final Thoughts
Bone broth is safe for dogs, and they generally love eating it. It is all natural, relatively healthy, and may offer benefits. It’s best to serve it plain and only as an occasional treat. You can make pure bone broth at home to ensure it doesn’t include harmful ingredients. If you have concerns about serving beef broth to your dog, bring them up with your veterinarian.
