Bone broth is a liquid made by simmering bones in water for an extended period of time. It's a popular health food for humans, but did you know that it can also have numerous benefits for dogs? 

This tasty liquid is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals and it's a great source of protein, collagen, glycine, and glucosamine. These nutrients provide various benefits to your pup's immune system and entire body, including the ones described below. 

• Joint health: Bone broth is loaded with nutrients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid, which help to promote collagen growth. It's one of the biggest benefits of bone broth for dogs! Collagen is literally the cushion at the ends of your dog's bones; the main protein found in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. As dogs start to lose some of that collagen - usually down to aging - joint pain can develop. Adding bone broth to a puppies diet will help aid with the growth of healthy bones, and for older dogs, aid as an anti-inflammatory pain relief, as well as helping to rebuild connective tissues.

• Enhanced gut health: The gelatin found in bone broth can help to soothe and heal the digestive tract, making it a useful food for dogs with digestive issues such as inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis. If your dog gets a tummy upset, feeding them bone broth can help to repair their stomach lining, keep them hydrated and promote a healthy gut.

• Boosted immune system: The vitamins, minerals, and amino acids found in bone broth can help to support a healthy immune system in dogs.

• Increased hydration: If your dog is prone to dehydration or even diarrhea, bone broth can be a good source of fluids. It's also a great option to offer when your dog is sick or recovering from surgery.

• Improved coat and skin health: Bone broth is a rich source of collagen, which is a protein that is essential for maintaining healthy skin and hair. It's also a good source of moisture, which can help to keep a dog's skin and coat hydrated, preventing dryness and flaking, whilst also soothing irritated and itchy skin. The amino acids found in bone broth also help to strengthen and repair damaged hair, making it an excellent supplement for dogs post-pregnancy or that have recently undergone periods of extreme stress -- ie. Firework season; being in kennels; recently being rescued or adopted.

When adding bone broth to your dog's diet, it's important to use a high-quality selection of bones (knuckle bones and joints are especially great because they contain more gelatin) and to avoid any ingredients that may be harmful to dogs. You can make your own bone broth at home using a slow cooker or pressure cooker. While bone broth should not be used as a replacement for a balanced diet, it's a nutritious addition to your dog's meals!

You can store your bone broth in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a year. Another idea is to pour bone broth into an ice cube tray and freeze it. (This will also keep for up to a year.) Then, you have a convenient serving size you can warm in the microwave before adding it to your dog's kibble. Just be sure to test it with your finger to make sure it's not too hot.

Here at The Urban Pet Store, we offer a variety of different options of bone broth. You can purchase our readymade Boil & Broth packs which we keep in the freezer in store - these will last 3 days in the fridge after they've been defrosted and contain added Chia seeds for additional nutritional benefits.

Alternatively, you can check out our new Anco Bone Broth Powders. All you need to do is add fresh boiled water to a scoop of powder and leave it to cool before adding it to your dogs meal. Our 120g packs make up to 4 litres of bone broth - an amazing bargain at just £18.50 per pack!