When you're feeling under the weather, nothing beats the soothing power of a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup. And if your dog refuses to eat due to an upset stomach or ongoing illness, one of the most popular solutions is to pour a little chicken broth over his food. After all, chicken is the key to a dog's heart and belly.
But is chicken broth good for dogs? As it turns out, this home remedy is approved by veterinarians. However, not all chicken broths are suitable for dogs.
If you're wondering whether what you have in your pantry is safe for your dog, read on for everything you need to know about chicken broth for dogs, including the health benefits, how to make it, and some creative ways to add it to your dog's diet .
Can dogs eat chicken broth?
In short, yes, chicken broth is generally a safe addition to your dog's diet. “I regularly recommend chicken broth as a flavor enhancer for dogs with picky appetites,” says Dr. Valerie Parker , a registered veterinary nutritionist and assistant professor of clinical medicine and small animal nutrition in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.
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However, be sure to look at the label before feeding your dog store-bought chicken broth. Many broths contain additional ingredients, such as onions and garlic, which can be toxic to dogs .
Additionally, even low-sodium broths can be very high in sodium, which may be unacceptable, depending on your dog's unique dietary needs.
As always, any time you change your dog's diet, be sure to check with your veterinarian before adding chicken broth to his food, especially if he has an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, cancer, or heart disease.
Can dogs eat bone broth?
Bone broth is rich in nutrients and collagen, the building material for muscles and joints. But how does chicken bone broth for dogs compare to regular chicken broth?
While Parker notes that there have been no studies evaluating the use of chicken bone broth in dogs' diets, the same rules apply when examining the label. Avoid chicken bone broths with added aromatics such as garlic and onions, and choose low-sodium broth or homemade bone broth if you are watching your dog's salt intake.
What are the benefits of chicken broth?
Chicken broth is not only the basis for making a tasty and satisfying soup, but also a dish with many useful characteristics. It has been used for a long time to treat many diseases. The broth improves metabolism, is absorbed quite quickly through the walls of the digestive tract, then the beneficial components enter the bloodstream and are distributed to all organs and systems. One serving of this dish is enough to meet a person’s needs for vitamins and beneficial elements.
For women
Chicken broth contains a lot of gelatin, which is collagen of natural origin. Such a component must be present in the female body in order to maintain the beauty of hair and skin. B vitamins restore the functions of the nervous system, relieve irritability, and improve sleep.
For men
The composition of the chicken product strengthens bone tissue, reducing the risk of fractures, and improves the condition of muscle fibers. The dish is especially useful when athletes gain mass. The use of this product helps to restore strength after physical exhaustion as a result of heavy physical exertion. In addition, the rich composition partially affects the cleansing of the lungs from various poisons and tars in smokers.
During pregnancy
During the period of bearing a baby, a woman must create all conditions for the normal growth and development of her child. This is especially true for the nutrition of the expectant mother. It should be useful and safe. Chicken broth during pregnancy will support energy and strength, and improve the condition of the expectant mother. In addition, the product helps the baby grow and develop properly. Regular intake of broth protects against the development of hypertension and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The dish does not lead to toxicosis, so it can be included in the diet even in the first trimester. It has a beneficial effect on hair, skin, reduces anxiety and irritability.
The skin of a chicken carcass is the most harmful part where all carcinogens and fat accumulate. Therefore, pregnant women are not recommended to consume this part.
When breastfeeding
Using chicken broth after childbirth can solve many problems. For example, it helps to normalize the functions of the gastrointestinal tract and provides the body with all nutrients and vitamins. The dish speeds up the recovery process after childbirth and improves a woman’s well-being. Chicken broth also increases the amount of breast milk and improves its quality. You can use it during breastfeeding, but you must constantly monitor the baby’s condition after taking it. It is recommended to introduce the dish into the diet from the second to third week after the birth of the baby. To start, just eat a few spoons warm.
Video:
correct diet for a nursing mother
For children
According to scientists and pediatricians, chicken broth should be given to children after 2–3 years of age, and not earlier. This is due to the fact that during cooking, a large amount of fat is released from the seeds, which is difficult for the child’s body to absorb.
Benefits of chicken broth for dogs
Ultimately, the main benefit of chicken broth for dogs is probably what you already have in mind: enticing your pup to eat when he's not feeling very hungry .
Drizzling chicken broth over your dog's dry food can soften it and enhance the flavor of a bland diet without upsetting his stomach.
As for other health claims—a panacea for gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and constipation, shiny coats, etc.—researchers have yet to sort them out.
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Why make bone broth?
Anyone who has read Gut Syndrome and Psychology knows about the many benefits of bone broth and how it can improve digestion, allergies, immunity, brain health and more.
What is not so well known is that broth can help reduce cellulite by improving connective tissue, increasing hair growth/strength, improving digestive problems and remineralizing teeth. Broth is also useful to have on hand when someone in the family gets sick, as it can be a soothing and immune-boosting drink during illness, even if the person doesn't feel like eating. The broth is very high in the amino acids proline and glycine, which are vital for healthy connective tissue (ligaments, joints, around organs, etc.). In addition, glycine is necessary for the synthesis of DNA, RNA and many proteins in the body. As such, it plays a large role in digestion, proper functioning of the nervous system, and wound healing.
Glycine aids digestion by helping regulate the synthesis of both bile salts and gastric acid secretion
It is involved in detoxification and is essential for the production of glutathione, an important antioxidant. Glycine helps regulate blood sugar levels by controlling gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from proteins in the liver)
Glycine also promotes muscle repair/growth by increasing creatine levels and regulating the secretion of human growth hormone from the pituitary gland. This wonderful amino acid is also important for the healthy functioning of the central nervous system. In the brain, it suppresses excitatory neurotransmitters, thereby producing a calming effect. Glycine is also converted to the neurotransmitter serine, which promotes mental alertness, improves memory, improves mood, and reduces stress. Proline plays an additional role in eliminating atherosclerotic deposits. This allows the walls of your blood vessels to release cholesterol buildup into your bloodstream, reducing the size of potential blockages in your heart and surrounding blood vessels. Proline also helps your body break down proteins for use in creating new, healthy muscle cells.
How to Make Chicken Broth for Dogs
If you don't have chicken broth at home, it's best to make your own. "Homemade chicken broth is dog-friendly, and sometimes it's the easiest way to find broth without onions and garlic," Parker says.
Here are the steps to make homemade chicken broth for dogs:
- Step 1 : Bring chicken to a boil in plain, unseasoned water.
- Step 2 : Reduce heat and let it simmer for three to four hours, skimming off any foam on top if necessary.
- Step 3 : Strain the liquid to remove all the chicken meat. Let it cool to a safe warm but not hot temperature.
- Step 4 : When the temperature is right, pour some onto your dog's food.
“While chicken and rice is another popular home remedy for dogs with an upset stomach or loss of appetite, it almost always results in an unbalanced diet,” says Parker. Again, it's best to consult your veterinarian before making any major changes to what's on your pup's plate, especially if he's not feeling well.
How to cook broth
The best broth comes from proven, low-fat, boneless meat. Preference should be given to chickens, rabbits, and veal.
Before cooking, the meat should be washed and all veins and fat should be cut off. Place the meat in cold water, bring to a boil, then cook for another 10-15 minutes. Drain the first decoction - dangerous extractive substances will go away with it. Fill the meat with fresh water again and continue cooking.
By adding fresh herbs and vegetables to the broth, it will become more saturated with vitamins and microelements, the aroma will become more pleasant, and the taste will be richer.
Meat broth
Cut the beef into cubes, place it in a large saucepan, fill with cold water, and bring to a boil over low heat.
Remove the foam from the surface, add finely chopped onion, diced carrots, chopped chives and celery. Salt to taste.
Cook the broth over low heat for about 3-4 hours. Remove the pan from the heat and strain the broth. The dish is ready. The meat broth can be refrigerated and used to make soups, sauces, risotto or gravy.
Fish broth
Fill a saucepan with water, add herbs (thyme, parsley), diced carrots, chopped onions, celery. Pepper and salt to taste. Bring the water to a boil and place on low heat. Cook for another 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and leave the vegetable broth to cool.
When it becomes warm, put the fish in it, put it back on the fire, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cook for 20 minutes.
Remove the fish broth from the heat and let it cool. The strained broth can be stored in the refrigerator and used to make soups and seafood risotto.
Chicken bouillon
Is chicken broth healthy? When prepared correctly, it is extremely healthy. For chicken broth, it is better to find home-grown chicken or hen. Remove the skin and excess fat from it, place it in a pan with onions, carrots and celery and pour in enough water to completely cover the bird. Salt to taste. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and cook the chicken at a gentle simmer for another 2 hours. Don't forget to remove the foam from time to time. The finished broth should be strained through a sieve and allowed to cool. This dish is served with dumplings, strips of vegetables, and noodles.
Bon appetit!
There are broths in the cuisines of many countries around the world. These dishes are considered budget-friendly, and they are also very healthy for people. Every person needs to include them in their diet to always feel good. The benefits and harms of bone broth are discussed in the article.
Other ways to use chicken broth
In general, any food that is not part of your dog's complete and balanced diet, formulated by a registered veterinary nutritionist, should make up less than 10 percent of his total daily caloric intake (such as treats and snacks), says Parker. Because chicken broth is generally a low-calorie food with about 15 calories per cup, it makes a great treat or flavor enhancer to add to your dog's food.
Here are some creative and fun ways to add chicken broth to your dog's diet.:
- Make homemade dog treats . All you need to make these vet-approved dog treats is flour, oats, peanut butter, and chicken broth.
- On hot summer days, cool down with chicken broth . Freeze your dog's favorite low-calorie treats, such as strawberries and dog-friendly vegetables such as green beans and pumpkin puree, with chicken bone broth in ice cream trays or ice cubes. If your dog is a chewer, tuck him into a chew toy to avoid damaging his pearly white hair, suggests Parker.
- Prepare soft serve ice cream . Mix dog-friendly fruits, such as seedless watermelon or cantaloupe, with plain unsweetened yogurt and chicken broth to make dog ice cream. Pour it into a mold or toy and voila!
- Treat your pup to a mini pot pie made with whole wheat chicken, chicken broth, shredded chicken, carrots and peas.
Article author : Lauren Crouse. Freelance writer and researcher. She enjoys writing about all things health, pets, fitness, politics and activism. In her free time, she enjoys meditating, weightlifting, and playing soccer. When she's not working on a story, you can find her walking in the woods with her partner and two rescue dogs.
