Can bone broth live up to the expectations?

Home-made broths have long enjoyed the reputation of being great meal toppers for pets. Broths enhance palatability, improve food texture in a kibble diet and serve as a source of hydration. Moreover, broth is often thought of as a supplement that helps prevent multiple health problems and improves joint flexibility.

Nutritional values

Bone broth is made by cooking bones, skin, tendons, vegetables and herbs in water for more than 12 hours. It is thicker than a regular broth as it contains higher amounts of collagen and gelatin from bones. The nutritional content of a bone broth may vary depending on the type of bones used (mostly beef or poultry), the recipe and the cooking time. On average, 100 ml of homemade broth contains 31-86 calories, 3.8-6 g protein, 0-3 g fat, and small amounts of fiber, calcium, sodium and iron (source: USDA Nutrient Database). Bone broth is also high in amino acids and some sulfates.

What does the research say?

The amino acid glycine is proven to inhibit proinflammatory cytokines in the gut lining of humans. As for gut health, gelatin tannate derived from collagen protects gastric mucosa against ulcers in rats. It may also bind the toxins of bacteria and prevent diarrhea. Cartilage and skin in bone broth are sources of hyaluronic acid, which definitely supports joint flexibility and the formation of connective tissue. Therefore, it is possible that broths could prevent joint problems.

Despite these findings, however, there is no conclusive research data for pets such as cats and dogs. In fact, human-oriented bone broth recipes often contain ingredients (e.g. onions, garlic and salt) that can be toxic for pets.

Commercial bone broths

Commercial bone broths are often a healthier choice for pets since they meet their requirements. A large variety of available broths made from beef, poultry or even fish bones ensures there is an adequate product even for pets with food allergies and specific intolerances. For extra convenience, commercial broths are available in liquid, frozen and freeze-dried or dehydrated-powder form, in a variety of packaging types (e.g. bottles, glass jars, resealable packs and pouches).

Conclusion

Low-calorie and species-appropriate bone broths may enrich a pet’s daily diet. However, due to the lack of strong scientific evidence relating specifically to dogs and cats, they should not be regarded as a remedy to all health problems or as an alternative to medication or veterinary supplements.