There are so many human foods that you can share with your dog, but many of them require moderation. Of course, there are a few exceptions as well, but overall, dogs also require minerals and vitamins from healthy foods. Whether you think about handing your dog the leftovers or you simply cook something for it – no condiments or spices, you probably ask yourself – is chicken broth for dogs any good? Can your pooch enjoy some chicken broth without getting harmed?
Dogs love pretty much everything with meat, be it the actual meat or the flavor. When it comes to chicken broth, a few pieces of chicken will work wonders. At the same time, the liquid is excellent to keep your pet hydrated, but also to enjoy some extra minerals and vitamins. Now, while you can share some of your broth, it is highly recommended to avoid spices and condiments, so it might be better to come up with a new recipe for your pooch.
Great for the liver
The liver is the most important organ when it comes to detoxification. A dog’s liver gets lots of wear and tear for a plethora of reasons. Share some of your food with your dog and the liver will struggle to process the unhealthy elements. At the same time, dogs are always chilling on floors and carpets made of chemicals. They walk on treated grass and have food made with chemicals. Drugs, vaccines and antibiotics are just as harmful.
The liver is not designed to handle all these problems. Besides, its capacity to do its job depends on a certain amino acid – glycine. The good news is that chicken broth dogs is extremely rich in glycine. In other words, a regular treat will keep your pet’s liver in the best possible condition and can prevent a series of affections.
Great for digestion
Whether it is diarrhea or other digestive issues, such issues can last for a few days. The dog is mostly stuck to liquid foods. Getting it back on solid food can be a bit challenging and may cause trouble. Whether it is the digestion or a lack of appetite, you know your dog needs a proper nutrition and its daily nutrient intake. Dog chicken broth will come to solve these issues. While liquid, the broth has lots of nutrients for your furry friend.
For example, plenty of gelatin in the dog’s diet will reduce the body’s requirements in terms of protein – a nutrient, dogs need plenty of. It mostly comes from meaty foods. Lots of gelatin will reduce this need by up to 50%. At the same time, chicken broth is great to provide other nutrients – especially minerals, so it will also work on the immune system. Apart from helping the liver, glycine is just as helpful in regulating the secretion of gastric acid.
Great for joints
Your dog’s joints are exposed to lots of wear and tear – walking, running, jumping, playing and so on. Joints depend on a few different things. For example, they require good tendons and excellent ligaments. If these parts are in good condition, joints will be flawless. Collagen belongs to a wide category of biomolecules. The same category includes more elements, such as glycosaminoglycans. These molecules are directly responsible for the dog’s joints.
Chick broth is extremely rich in glycosaminoglycans. Sure, there are more of these molecules, but some of them stand out in the crowd. For instance, the glucosamine, which is rich in joint health compounds. At the same time, it is worth noting that such molecules will not be affected by the digestion. They are not processed and they will be absorbed by the body in a full form.
Great for the gut
Most of the digestion depends on the intestines. Intestines have tiny holes that let nutrients go through. There are millions of them. Their main role is to let nutrients get absorbed by the body. However, there are more issues that could affect these holes. Bacteria might be one of them. The same goes for a poor diet with not enough nutrients, not to mention stress. Such things have a bad effect over those holes, as they tend to enlarge. In medical terms, the problem is referred to as a leaky gut.
As a direct consequence, certain particles will be allowed in, yet they would normally be eliminated. Whether it comes to food, yeast, toxins or even more bacteria, the body will detect some strangers in the body and start to attack them. This is how allergies work. Luckily, chicken broth has a few benefits against this issue. It has gelatin, which helps against the large holes by plugging them up or reducing their size.
Great for the immune system
Your pet’s immune system is based on nutrients. Without the right nutrients, it will fail in the long run and allow all kinds of invaders. Vitamins and minerals associated with chicken broth are also known to work on the immune system. Vitamin C is the most important one. It is one of the most powerful antioxidants out there and helps the system deal with infections. Chicken broth is extremely rich in it, so your pooch will certainly benefit from it.
Since chicken broth works on the digestion too, this aspect will inevitably reflect over the immune system. A healthy digestive system keeps pathogens away from the body – they go straight out. In other words, if the digestive tract is in good condition, the immune system will not have to struggle too hard to get rid of pathogens.
Great for the skin and coat
Chicken broth for dogs is also excellent for the skin and coat. Again, it is rich in gelatin, which has beneficial effects over the skin. It makes the skin more elastic due to the collagen production, but it also keeps it hydrated. In other words, chicken broth can prevent a series of skin related problems in dogs.
Vitamins B and C are particularly essential for the skin and coat. Apart from its benefits over the immune system, vitamin C also stimulates the natural production of collagen. It will benefit the fur, skin and claws. Other vitamins – B1, B2, B6 and B12 – promote the natural production of cells, which will inevitably lead to a shiny coat.
Potential risks associated with chicken broth for dogs
Nothing is perfect when it comes to dogs. While broth for dogs is likely to become a superfood for your pooch, there are a couple of risks that you should be aware of. They are relatively low and less likely to cause any major harm though.
For instance, too much chicken broth for dogs will naturally bring in more glutamic acid. The nonessential amino acid can affect the neurological health of your pooch. Chicken broth is to be considered when it comes to this acid because of the long cooking times. If you prepare it in a slow cooker, it may take up to a whole day. To reduce this risk, use a pressure cooker instead. You no longer need 24 hours for it, but just a couple.
Other than that, some cheap chicken in commerce is exposed to lead. The meat is not necessarily the best. The same goes for the bones and the broth you make. This problem can be easily overcome if you rely on organic sources of meat. Quality sources of nutrients will inevitably reduce the exposure to lead, so buy the best things you can find only.
How to make chicken broth for dogs
There are more recipes out there, but this one is relatively simple and does not require too much work. You will need:
- A few pounds of chicken or bone
- A few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- Water
- Optional carrots or safe seasonings, such as turmeric
Throw the bones or meat into a stock pot and cover everything with water. Make sure all the pieces are covered. Pour a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar on top. The vinegar is not about the taste or aroma only. Instead, it will help drawing nutrients out of the meat and bones. Add more water to fill the whole pot.
Get it to boil. Once it starts boiling, let it simmer on low heat for six hours or more. Remove the film on top – usually just debris. Then, you can slow cook the rest for up to 24 hours. Using a pressure cooker will reduce the cooking time, but timings vary from one appliance to another. A pressure cooker will be safer for your dog though. All in all, once done, get rid of the thick layer on top. You can store it in the refrigerator for five days or you can freeze some of it.
How to make chicken broth dog treats
The easiest and great way involves pouring some chicken broth in an ice tray. You will come up with some tasty treats for hot summer days. Your dog will love them. There are also a few recipes based on dog chicken broth. If you make chicken broth, keep the film on top of it as you cook it, rather than get rid of it. You will also need:
- Half a cup of chicken broth
- Half a cup of chicken broth fat
- Half a cup of pumpkin or butternut squash puree with no seeds
- Two cups of flour
- Peanut butter
- A few bits of bacon
It may seem time consuming, but it is actually fairly simple. Preheat the oven – around 375 degrees F. Meanwhile, mix the broth and the fat in a bowl. Hit for half a minute – make sure it is liquefied. Add the puree and keep stirring. Add flour – a little at a time, as you stir. Stir until everything is mixed. You can then work on the dough and knead it a little. It should be a quarter of an inch in thickness. Cut some treats and bake them for about 40 minutes.
Once done, spread peanut butter on top of them while they are still warm. The bacon bits come on top of everything. Make sure the treats are perfectly cool before handing them to your pet.
Frequently asked questions
Chicken broth for dogs will obviously raise a few question marks.
Is chicken broth good for dogs?
Chicken broth is considered to be a superfood for dogs these days. It is extremely nutritive and can provide a bunch of minerals and vitamins that will boost most of your pet’s systems. The risks associated with it are low and can be prevented.
Can dogs have chicken broth?
Chicken broth is excellent for dogs. It should not become a daily thing. Instead, chicken broth every few days is a better idea – or on a daily basis until you finish the pot, with a break after. You can prepare broth, but you can also come up with some tasty treats based on it.
Is bone broth good for dogs?
Bone broth for dogs is a great dog food. It is good, so your dogs will love the taste. It is also healthy and will boost most of your pet’s systems – rich in minerals and vitamins.
How to make bone broth for dogs?
There are more recipes out there for making bone broth for dogs. You can make it just like you make your own chicken soup. However, do not add any seasonings or condiments – unless you rely on healthy spices for dogs.
Can dogs eat chicken broth?
Yes, even if they go through digestive problems. If your dog cannot have solid food, chicken broth is excellent.
Final words
As a short final conclusion, chicken broth for dogs is an excellent option, whether as a treat or as a healthy supplement. You can buy chicken broth powder from multiple stores, but making it yourself is a better option. You know precisely what goes in it and you know for a fact that you are not hurting your dog.