As most cat parents know, cooked bones are a hazard for pets to chew on. However, bone broth is a nutritional powerhouse for cats, especially for older cats with joint pain, and it’s a fantastic way to add extra hydration to your cat’s diet.
Benefits of Bone Broth for Cats
- Liver Detoxification: Bone broth is rich in glycine, an amino acid that supports the liver’s ability to clear toxins from food, water, and even pest treatments.
- Digestive Health: Collagen in bone broth helps strengthen the intestinal lining, preventing harmful bacteria from undigested food from entering the bloodstream.
- Immune System Support: Bone marrow in broth carries oxygen to cells throughout the body, enhancing the immune system’s ability to fight illness.
- Joint Health: For cats with arthritis or joint issues, bone broth provides easily absorbed minerals, including magnesium and glucosamine, to support joint health.
- Bone and Teeth Strength: High in calcium and phosphorus, bone broth is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth, as well as generating energy.
- Appetite Booster: For cats with food sensitivities or seniors with declining appetites, bone broth’s appealing taste and easy digestibility encourage them to eat.
How to Make Bone Broth for Cats
Making bone broth is simple but requires time, so patience is key. You’ll need only three ingredients—raw bones, apple cider vinegar, and water. A slow cooker is ideal for this recipe, allowing you to cook overnight without needing to watch the stove.
- Choose Quality Bones: Start with raw bones like chicken frames, which are affordable and easy to find. If available, add chicken wings or feet for extra collagen.
- Add Apple Cider Vinegar: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar with the “mother” to help break down the bones and release minerals.
- Fill with Water and Cook: Cover the bones with water, set your slow cooker to low, and let it simmer for about 24 hours.
- Strain and Store: After cooking, skim off most of the fat (a little fat is good for your cat), then strain the broth into a bowl, discarding all bones. Let the broth cool completely, then transfer it to small containers or ice cube trays for easy storage. Frozen cubes are perfect for adding a small amount to meals—just pop a cube on their food about 30 minutes before mealtime.
At Raw Meow, we include bone broth in all of our meals because our cats love it, and we want you to enjoy the same quality we feed our own pets
Convenient Bone Broth Options
If making bone broth seems daunting, Raw Meow Bone Broth is available online in a freeze-dried, easy-to-use form. Just add boiling water for a nutritious broth in minutes. Our freeze-dried beef bone broth is available on the Raw Meow website or in store.