Benefits of Kefir and Bone Broth for Dogs and Cats

Pet nutrition is about more than meeting basic dietary requirements. Functional foods can also complement a complete diet and help support important aspects of well-being, including digestion, gut microbiota, hydration, and mobility.

Kefir and bone broth are two different foods that can work together as part of a pet’s daily wellness routine:

• Kefir provides live cultures that can help support a balanced intestinal microbiota.
• Bone broth provides collagen, protein, and amino acids derived from slowly cooked bones and cartilage.

Introducing these foods during early adulthood can help establish consistent nutritional habits instead of waiting until digestive changes or mobility difficulties begin to appear.

Why is gut microbiota important for dogs and cats?

Like humans, dogs and cats have a community of microorganisms that lives primarily in their digestive system. This community is known as the gut microbiota.

The microbiota is involved in several important functions, including:

• Digestion of food.
• Utilization of certain nutrients.
• Production of different intestinal compounds.
• Stool consistency and regularity.
• Interaction between the digestive tract and the immune system.

Its composition can be influenced by diet, age, stress, environment, medication, and general health.

For this reason, supporting the gut microbiota can be part of a nutritional routine focused on the overall well-being of dogs and cats.

Kefir for dogs and cats: live cultures for digestive well-being

Kefir is a fermented food made through the activity of different microorganisms in milk.

During fermentation, live cultures transform some of the components naturally found in milk, producing a creamy, slightly tangy beverage containing a diverse community of microorganisms traditionally associated with probiotic foods.

OSO Wellness Kefir for Dogs and Cats is made with only:

• Pasteurized whole milk.
• Live kefir cultures.

It contains no preservatives, artificial flavors, or other added ingredients.

Benefits of kefir for dogs and cats

1. Helps support a balanced gut microbiota

The primary value of kefir lies in its live cultures.

When incorporated into a varied diet, kefir can complement the community of microorganisms found in the digestive tract and support a routine focused on digestive well-being.

A study conducted in dogs found that kefir consumption over a two-week period modified their intestinal microbiota without producing clinically evident adverse effects. The researchers concluded that kefir could continue to be studied as a complementary probiotic food for dogs.

2. Supports balanced digestion

A diverse and balanced microbiota participates in the breakdown of food and the utilization of nutrients.

For this reason, fermented foods containing live cultures may complement a routine designed to support:

• Regular digestion.
• Healthy stool consistency.
• Greater digestive stability during certain dietary changes.
• Efficient utilization of the regular diet.

Every pet has a unique microbiota, so the response can vary and may develop gradually.

3. Complements intestinal regularity

Kefir may be especially useful for pets whose digestion changes easily or whose stool becomes irregular after modifications to their diet, environment, or daily routine.

Consistent use in an appropriate serving can help maintain a more stable intestinal environment.

4. Adds nutrition and moisture to regular food

Kefir can be served directly in a bowl or mixed with dry or wet food.

In addition to providing live cultures, its liquid presentation adds moisture, flavor, and a different texture to daily meals.

5. Fits easily into a daily routine

Kefir does not require any special preparation. It only needs to remain refrigerated, be shaken before serving, and be offered in an amount appropriate for the pet’s size.

This makes it easy to incorporate microbiota care into everyday habits.

Can cats have kefir?

Cats also have a complex intestinal microbiota involved in digestion and various metabolic functions.

Research involving specific probiotic microorganisms has identified potential benefits related to intestinal balance and regularity in cats. This has increased interest in nutrition designed to support the feline microbiota.

Kefir should be introduced gradually and served in small portions. The amount should be adjusted according to the cat’s size, diet, and individual tolerance.

Bone broth: a natural source of collagen for dogs and cats

Bone broth is a concentrated broth made by slowly cooking bones and cartilage.

During this process, some of the collagen and proteins present in connective tissue are released into the broth. Prolonged cooking also releases amino acids such as glycine, proline, and glutamine, although the exact amounts depend on the recipe and concentration of the product.

OSO Wellness Bone Broth for Dogs and Cats is slowly cooked for approximately 18 hours using:

• Water.
• Beef bones and cartilage.
• Celery.
• Carrot.
• Organic apple cider vinegar.
• Ginger.
• Turmeric.

It contains no added salt, preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, or additives.

Collagen and mobility as pets age

As dogs and cats grow older, they may begin to experience changes in their joints and mobility.

Some of the earliest signs may appear minor:

• Taking longer to stand up.
• Walking more stiffly after resting.
• No longer wanting to run as often.
• Avoiding stairs.
• Walking more slowly.
• No longer jumping onto the couch or bed.
• Showing less interest in playing.
• Needing assistance getting into a car.
• Becoming tired more quickly during walks.

These changes can be related to joint wear, osteoarthritis, previous injuries, muscle loss, or conditions such as hip dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia has significant genetic and developmental components. Over time, it can contribute to joint wear, inflammation, and osteoarthritis, limiting activities that were previously part of a pet’s everyday life.

Maintaining a healthy weight, providing appropriate exercise, offering good nutrition, and obtaining veterinary care are essential for supporting mobility. As part of this broader routine, bone broth can provide a complementary food source of collagen and amino acids.

Benefits of bone broth for dogs and cats

1. Provides naturally derived collagen

Collagen is a structural protein found in cartilage, tendons, ligaments, skin, and other tissues.

Slowly cooking bones and cartilage allows components from these tissues to become part of the broth.

The body digests collagen and uses its amino acids according to its needs. Bone broth can therefore complement a diet focused on tissue maintenance and mobility.

2. Provides important amino acids

Glycine and proline are among the amino acids associated with collagen.

These amino acids participate in different biological processes, including protein synthesis and tissue maintenance.

Bone broth provides a practical way to incorporate them through a natural, easy-to-serve food.

3. Can be part of a proactive wellness routine

Introducing bone broth during adulthood does not mean that it will prevent hip dysplasia or joint wear on its own.

Its proactive value comes from including it in a broader routine that supports:

• A healthy body weight.
• Regular physical activity.
• Maintenance of muscle mass.
• Complete and balanced nutrition.
• Regular veterinary examinations.
• Nutrients obtained from a varied diet.

There is no need to wait until a pet has difficulty standing, running, or jumping. Nutrition and healthy habits can be supported before those changes appear.

4. Is especially practical for senior pets

As pets age, bone broth can enrich their meals without relying solely on tablets or capsules that may be difficult to administer.

Its liquid format makes it possible to:

• Serve it directly in a bowl.
• Pour it over dry food.
• Mix it with wet food.
• Divide it into smaller portions.
• Serve it cold over regular meals.

This makes bone broth a convenient option for maintaining a consistent routine.

5. Adds moisture to daily meals

Adding bone broth increases the moisture content of regular food and can complement daily hydration.

This can be particularly useful for cats and dogs that primarily eat dry food.

Pets should always continue to have unrestricted access to clean, fresh water.

6. Enhances the flavor and aroma of food

The natural flavor of bone broth can make regular meals more appealing.

This may be helpful for senior pets that have become less interested in eating or more selective about their food.

7. Can complement muscle maintenance

Mobility does not depend solely on the joints. Maintaining muscle mass is also essential for standing, walking, running, jumping, and keeping proper balance.

Bone broth provides protein and amino acids that can complement the regular diet. However, it does not replace a complete diet with an appropriate amount of high-quality protein.

Bone broth compared with collagen supplements

One of the main advantages of bone broth is that it provides collagen and amino acids through a real, hydrating, and easy-to-consume food.

Unlike a tablet or capsule, bone broth also provides:

• Moisture.
• Flavor.
• A pleasant eating experience.
• Easy integration with other foods.
• Simple and recognizable ingredients.

Bone broth should not be presented as clinically superior to every veterinary supplement. Some supplements contain standardized quantities of specific ingredients and may be necessary for particular conditions.

The difference is that bone broth can be incorporated easily into a pet’s daily meals while complementing veterinary recommendations when needed.

Kefir and bone broth provide different benefits

Kefir and bone broth can be alternated or served at different times of the day. The most important step is to begin with a small amount and observe how each pet responds.

How much can I give my pet?

The following amounts are general daily guidelines for OSO Wellness Pets products:

When introducing either product, begin with one tablespoon or a smaller amount. Increase gradually until reaching the suggested serving, provided the pet tolerates it well.

One tablespoon is approximately 15 ml.

These amounts are general guidelines and can be adjusted according to the recommendation of a veterinarian.

How should kefir and bone broth be served?

Kefir Pets

• Shake the pouch before serving.
• Serve it directly in a bowl.
• Mix it with dry or wet food.
• Keep the product refrigerated at all times.

Bone Broth Pets

• Serve it cold.
• Pour it over dry food.
• Mix it with wet food.
• Divide it into smaller portions before freezing.

OSO Wellness Pets

At OSO Wellness Pets, we develop functional foods designed to complement the daily nutrition of adult dogs and cats.

Kefir Pets

Our kefir is traditionally fermented using pasteurized whole milk and live kefir cultures. It provides a practical way to incorporate a fermented food into a pet’s digestive wellness routine.

Discover OSO Wellness Kefir for Dogs and Cats

Bone Broth Pets

Our bone broth is slowly cooked for approximately 18 hours to create a concentrated broth containing collagen, protein, and amino acids derived from beef bones and cartilage.

Discover OSO Wellness Bone Broth for Dogs and Cats

Well-being is built every day

Supporting gut microbiota, digestion, hydration, and mobility should not begin only after a problem appears.

Kefir and bone broth can become part of a nutritional routine during adulthood and accompany dogs and cats throughout different stages of their lives.

Kefir provides live cultures that help support intestinal balance. Bone broth provides collagen and amino acids through a natural, flavorful, and easy-to-serve food.

They are two different foods united by the same idea: building well-being through simple habits that can be maintained every day.

Real nutrition for those who are also part of the family.