As we begin to crawl out of winter and into the warmer months, our dogs’ joint health is more important than ever. Our pups are naturally wired to want to play, but when cold temperatures and snowstorms trap them indoors, they’re not as active as they normally are. With this in mind, it’s critical that you help your pup eliminate any winter joint stiffness before springtime play days begin.
The “Winter Stiffness” Reality
Just like how your joints may feel achy, stiff, and less mobile in the winter, your dog experiences the same effects from harsh weather. During winter, dogs with arthritis or other joint complications are at increased risk of discomfort. This mainly happens because cold weather can reduce circulation, leading to pain. For some dogs, this looks like difficulty completing their usual daily activities, like walking or playing.
For dogs who experience frequent joint issues, veterinarians suggest a handful of at-home remedies. For starters, pet parents should ensure their dog’s bed is supportive. In winter, dogs spend more time indoors, likely lounging on their beds more than usual, so a supportive cushion is important for their joints. You can also help your pup’s joints by providing light massages and heat therapy for them in the winter.
Many vets also recommend supplements to alleviate joint stiffness. Supplements like chondroitin, glucosamine, omega-3s, and turmeric have been shown to support joint health in numerous studies. Though these ingredients can seriously level up your pet’s life, many pets are hesitant to take pills and, as a result, do not receive the necessary nutrients to improve their health. That’s one of the reasons using a human-grade bone broth for dogs, fortified with chondroitin and glucosamine, can help maintain your pet’s health easily.
The Brutus Broth Boost
Due to reduced activity during the winter months, many dogs still have stiff joints when spring arrives. That’s where Brutus Broth comes in. Formulated with human-grade ingredients and joint-loving supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine, Brutus Broth is designed to help nurse your pet’s joints back to health so they’re ready for frisbee season. It’s the perfect pre- and post-workout snack, as it's hydrating, nutritious, and delectable.
Pups like Brutus Broth for its delicious flavor, but owners love it because it changes their dogs’ lives. Pet owners frequently report seeing their pets more energetic and visibly healthier just days after starting Brutus Broth. Fortified with chondroitin and glucosamine, Brutus Broth is the only bone broth that is truly designed with your pup’s joint health in mind. Since chondroitin and glucosamine help reduce joint inflammation and stiffness overall, and these ingredients are disguised within our delicious bone broth, you get to avoid the battle of forcing your pet to take their supplements while reaping all the benefits. At Brutus Broth, we prioritize your pet’s health with your convenience in mind.
Hydration Station
Warmer days mean more thirst, and the heat makes hydration even more important. Veterinarians suggest that dogs should drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight every day, but many dogs are stubborn and refuse to drink enough. One way to entice stubborn drinkers is to mix a splash of Brutus Broth into their water, making it more enjoyable to drink. Brutus Broth is the perfect add-in for water because it offers many hydrating benefits, thanks to the naturally occurring amino acids it contains that make hydration quicker and more efficient.
When the nice weather takes you and your pup out and about, Brutus On The Go is the perfect pop-in-your-bag dog essential to help your dog stay hydrated on the road. Containing the same restorative and healthy formula as our original Brutus Broth products, Brutus On The Go is a powdered version of our original bone broth that can be easily mixed with water on trails, at the dog park, or during spontaneous road trips. It comes in beef, chicken, and a plant-based salmon flavor, meaning there’s a suitable option for even the pickiest of dogs.
3 Joint-Loving Recipes for Dogs
To prep your pup for springtime play in a way they’ll actually enjoy, consider making one of the joint health-boosting recipes below. Just don’t tell your pet that these snacks are secretly healthy!
PB & Bone Broth Enrichment Ball
Let’s face it: the time between winter and spring can feel slow and lethargic for you and your pup. This recipe is the perfect cure for that problem, as it gives you something to make and your pup something to enjoy that can’t be gobbled down too quickly.
Start by combining peanut butter, Brutus Bone Broth, and a bit of Kefir or Goat Milk in a large mixing bowl. Once the mixture is smooth, pour it into our Interactive Enrichment Ball and Tray mold and place it into the freezer for a few hours. Once the treats are frozen solid, place one in the enrichment ball and watch your pup go to town!
Hydration Hack for Dogs
Once it’s officially spring, try making this frozen dog bowl recipe to make hydration more fun for your pet. All you need is Brutus Bone Broth, a small bowl, a large bowl, and thinly sliced dog-friendly fruits. Start by pouring Brutus Broth into the large bowl and then carefully line the edges of the bowl with the fruit slices. Once the bowl is fully lined, place the smaller bowl within it, then both bowls into the freezer to create a frozen bone-broth bowl. Once frozen, you can fill the frozen bowl with water or more bone broth. Either way, your pup will love this easy hydration hack. Just be sure to serve the bowl outdoors, as it can be messy once it starts melting.
Hip and Joint Gummies
Feeling creative and wanting to spoil your dog? Start by warming Brutus Bone Broth in a medium-sized pan on the stove. Our Mini Hip & Joint Formula bone broth is the perfect size for this recipe! Once the broth is warm, mix in some gelatin, pumpkin puree, chia seeds, turmeric, and coconut oil. Stir the mixture until smooth, then pour it into a cute mold like our Silicone Bone + Paw Treat Tray. Let the treats firm up in the refrigerator before removing them and treating your dog to some fun, dog-friendly candy!
The Bottom Line
Restoring your pet’s joint health is no easy feat, especially during the colder season, but you don’t have to do it alone. Brutus Broth makes it easy to add nutrition and flavor to your pet’s life, quickly and conveniently. At Brutus Broth, we pride ourselves on making dog health easy to access, delicious, and fun. For more recipe ideas and ways to level up your dog’s joint health, be sure to check out our other blogs and recipes on Pinterest.