KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Yes, bone broth is a protein-rich, safe addition to a cat’s diet but should be introduced gradually.
- The ideal serving size is 1 oz per 10 lb. of cat weight.
- Benefits include improved digestion, immunity, liver detoxification, hydration, fur and skin health, and bone and joint strength.
- Avoid giving cats human broth due to harmful ingredients like onions and garlic.
- Adult cats with risk for CKD should not have bone broth due to it’s high phosphorous content.
- Particularly helpful for cats with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) due to collagen content.
- Best as a supplement, not a meal replacement, and homemade broth is recommended for maximum benefit.
Cats are one of the most beautiful creatures, and if you take good care of them, then you are assured of a loyal companion. One thing that you should always be cautious about is what you feed your cat.
Cats happen to be sensitive eaters. There are plenty of feeds that are beneficial to a cat, especially bone broth, and it also happens to be among their favourites.
“Can I give my cat bone broth everyday?” is a question that you might be asking yourself. But don’t worry, this post will help you answer that question.
So Can I Give My Cat Bone Broth Everyday?
Food rich in proteins seem to be most cats’ favorite, and what do you know, bone broth is a rich source of protein. So, yes, bone broth is a perfectly safe part of a species-specific diet, but you have to introduce bone broth to your cat’s diet gradually.
My favorite commercially available product is Primalvore Premium Organic Bone Broth. I’m a fan of its liquid form, cat friendly ingredients, and more:
You can also prepare bone broth from animals’ bones, especially beef, pork, chicken or turkey. For a good bone broth, knuckle bones, joint bones, chicken feet, marrow bones or short ribs are the best.
How Much and How To Give Bone Broth
One way to introduce your feline friend to bone broth is by mixing it with some of its food. Just like humans, you shouldn’t force a meal on a cat; let them be attracted to it.
The recommended serving size is 1 oz per 10 lb. of your pet’s body weight, so you don’t need use that much!
Bone broth isn’t supposed to be a replacement meal, it’s more of a treat or supplement. Traditional wet or dry food contains other nutrients they require too.
So while wonderful and delicious, bone broth is just part of a complete species specific diet.
Why Bone Broth is Awesome
So just what does bone broth do for cats? Bone broth contains cartilage, collagen and marrow, which provide your pet numerous benefits such as:
- Aids with digestion, especially collagen and gelatin, by strengthening the walls of your cat’s intestines and repairing leaky guts.
- Strengthening your cat’s immunity
- It helps detoxify your cat’s liver due to the presence of glycine.
- It helps reduce the risks of kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTI).
- It helps with hydration since cats are not fond of drinking water.
- It improves and thickens your pet’s fur and smoothens its skin.
- Boosts your pet’s nutrition because it’s easier to digest and improves the taste of other foods.
- It improves your cat’s bone health due to the presence of phosphorus and calcium.
- It helps strengthen your cat’s joints, thereby preventing arthritis or improving your cat’s condition, especially with older cats.
- Helps you cat gain wait due as a result of improved taste and appetite.
Is Human Broth Good For My Cat?
The love we have for our pets sometimes might make us forget that pets aren’t humans and there are things that they can’t do.
To encourage your cat to eat bone broth with you, you might find yourself feeding them human broth, which isn’t good for your cat’s health.
The human broth is usually made with seasonings, onions, garlic and pepper, which are toxic to cats. Regular consumption of onions or garlic may lead to the development of anemia in your cat.
Can Kittens Have Bone Broth?
One of the contents of bone broth is gelatin, which is very beneficial to cats but can cause health problems in kittens.
Gelatin is known to cause diarrhea in kittens, so you shouldn’t feed bone broth to kittens. A kitten can have bone broth when they are over six months.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Bone Broth On Cats?
As we have seen, bone broth is a source of phosphorus and calcium. Bone broth happens to be very nutritious to cats, but after a while, there are some side effects.
These side effects are due to the high levels of phosphorus. High levels of phosphorus in a cat’s body may lead to renal impairment and, as a result, chronic kidney disease.
This is why you should feed bone broth to cats sparingly to avoid the accumulation of phosphorus in their bodies.
How Does Bone Broth Help Cats With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
Bone broth is an excellent source of collagen, a protein made up of two amino acids: proline and glycine. These two amino acids are responsible for healing the gut linings, thereby relieving inflammation.
Bone broth also helps with hydration since cats are not fond of drinking water, thereby helping hydrate cats with vomiting or diarrhea.
In Closing
Bone broth is very beneficial to your cat’s health, but it should never be the main course. It is highly advisable that if your cat likes bone broth, it’s best to prepare it yourself since it’s more nutritious when natural. Remember, the health of your pets matters.
I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.
