Easy Bone Broth for Cats [Recipe]
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Restorative and nourishing, bone broth is the right choice for those looking to add a vitamin-rich supplement to their diet. So when I walked into my local pet store and saw a pile of sheep bones from a local butcher, I knew I wanted to provide collagen-rich nutrients to my cats.
Bone broth can be a source of restorative nutrition for humans, but experts say the nutritional benefits of bone broth for pets are still up for debate. Based on DVM360“Although bone broth can provide a biological source of minerals and nitrogen, whether this benefits animals eating a complete and balanced diet is questionable. “
Even so, many pet parents (including this one!) agree that Pets can benefit from bone broth as an occasional side dish, accompaniment or mix-in. This is a recipe I developed to feed my cats.
Easy Bone Broth for Cats
You may have fun with how you serve this recipe to your cats.
Freeze the broth in mini silicone mold Make summer fun. They pop out of the mold easily and can be stored in a freezer bag all summer. Or, store and freeze your cat bone broth in small freezer containerThaw and add broth to puree as a savory treat, wet food like gravy, or simply in a small treat for your cat to eat any time of year.
- Preparation time: 5 minutes
- Cooking time: 8 o’clock
- Total time: 8 hours 5 minutes
- Productivity: 6 cups firstx
Ratio
Element
- first–2 pounds of a variety of unworked bones, such as marrow, oxtail, and hooves
- 6–8 glass of water
- Optional: Cat-safe veggies like 1 to 2 stalks of celery and 1 to 2 carrots
Guide
- In a large stock pot, add the unseasoned bones and optional chopped cat-friendly vegetables like carrots and celery.
- Add enough water to cover.
- Leave on low heat for at least 8 hours, periodically skimming off the white foam that forms on the surface.
- Let cool to room temperature then strain broth from solids, making sure to strain and remove bones, bone fragments or vegetables.
- Serve your cats their favorite meals, add to silicone molds and freeze for summer enjoyment, or store in small freezer-safe containers to defrost and serve later.
Note
When making human bone broth, you can roast the bones in olive oil before simmering. While this creates a richer flavor, olive oil is not easily digestible for cats.
It’s easy to mix homemade cat bone broth with ingredients you probably already have — like leftover unseasoned bones, carrot, and celery. Just remember to check ASPCA list of safe vegetables for cats and stay away from anything in Allium such as onions, garlic, and chives — these are very toxic to pets.
How do I feed my cat bone broth?
When giving your cat a new food, do it slowly and sparingly. Bone broth is rich in healthy fats. Like any food, too much bone broth in one sitting can cause an upset stomach. My cats love to lick frozen broth straight from their bowls as a treat on a hot day. Or, they’ll enjoy it year-round as an occasional addition to their meals.
“There’s no reason cats shouldn’t be fed to humans as long as they’re nutritionally appropriate.” Dr. Gary Richter, said Rover Resident Veterinarian on The Dog People Panel. “That said, cats tend to be very specific about what they will eat and they like consistency. Most are not enthusiastic about changes in their diet.” So don’t be cocky if your cat doesn’t rinse their bowl the first time you serve them a homemade treat like bone broth.
If you see bone broth at the grocery store, check the ingredients before sharing it with your favorite cat. Typically, human broth is made with onions, garlic, and sodium — ingredients that aren’t safe for cats. And don’t serve broth-cooked bones to your cat; Cooked bones can be a hazard if eaten by any pet.
Other recipes for cats