Joint Health for Dogs – The Natural Way

We all worry about our dog’s health and making sure they get all the nutrients and supplements they need to live long and healthy lives. We have a German Shepherd and because they are prone to hip problems and arthritis, joint support supplements have always been a must-have in our home.

I recently ran out of joint supplement powder and needed to take a stock-up trip to the pet shop and was absolutely shocked to see how expensive joint supplements had become (granted I never thought they were cheap before).

After my near heart attack at the pet shop, I decided there had to be a more affordable and healthy way to get my dogs the added nutrients they need so the hunt on Google began and my saving grace was none other than a basic, super easy chicken broth recipe.

This recipe is great because it makes a large amount of broth and is super affordable and easy to make. Some tips before you start:

1. Shop for chicken feet at your local butcher. They are not excessively expensive and carry extra gelatine which makes the broth like a jelly.
2. Make sure to buy plastic containers that are freezer-safe if you don’t already have any. The recipe makes quite a lot, and you don’t need more than 1 to 2 tablespoons per meal/serving so you will definitely need to freeze your excess broth to prevent unnecessary waste.
3. Using the pressure cooker saves a ton of time, so if you have one, use it! You will thank me later.

Ingredients and tools

1. Chicken feet (Portions will depend on the size of your pot you have at home. I bought two packets priced at R60 each and had to make two separate batches)
2. 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice per pot (this helps soften and break down all the important nutrients we want to extract)
3. Hot water
4. Vegetables (Optional – make sure to use veggies that are safe and beneficial to your dog. Do your research!)
5. Pressure cooker or large pot
6. Strainer
7. Storage containers (freezer-safe)

Instructions

1. Add your chicken feet and lemon juice to your pot.
2. Fill your pot with water to cover the chicken feet. If you are using a pressure cooker, make sure you don’t exceed the maximum capacity of your pot.
3. Bring to a boil and cook on high for 15 minutes.
4. If you don’t have a pressure cooker, reduce to medium heat and slow cook for 10 hours. If you have a pressure cooker, pressure cook on high for 3 hours.
5. Once the broth is finished cooking allow to cool slightly so you don’t damage your plastic containers.
6. Remove chicken feet and strain broth, making sure all the bones have been removed.
7. Fill storage containers and store in the fridge for up to two weeks and the freezer for up to 6 months. Make sure to date your containers so you remember how long the broth has been kept.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Discard all chicken feet and pieces of bone. Please don’t feed this to your dog.

*Please note that all articles published on this blog, are written to share our experiences as people, a family and a business with you. It is your responsibility to do your own research and speak to your veterinarian before you make any changes to your pet’s diet. We are not vets and do not offer medical advice on our platform EVER. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make responsible and informed decisions.