Winter is here, which means colder temperatures, drier air, and a little extra strain on our pets’ bodies. Senior pups in particular may struggle more with stairs and activity, while dry air can contribute to dry skin and dull coats. During the colder months, one of the best ways to support your pet’s immune system and overall comfort is by adding more moisture to their bowl — and warming up their meals.
Digestion works best when the body doesn’t have to work overtime just to do its daily job. When extra effort is required, it creates stress, which can lead to increased inflammation and discomfort. The temperature of your pet’s food plays a bigger role in daily inflammation than many people realize.
Especially in winter, you can reduce strain on the body by serving food at room temperature or gently warmed. Adding warm bone broth over meals helps neutralize the cold and makes digestion easier. While dry food is typically room temperature (unless stored in the fridge or freezer), it greatly benefits from added hydration. Warming the broth before pouring it over kibble can take digestion a step further and offer even more relief.
If you feed fresh food that comes straight from the refrigerator, warming it — or adding warmed bone broth — is highly recommended. This prevents the body from having to expend extra energy just to raise the food to body temperature. This concept aligns with ancient Chinese energetics and the idea that “like feeds like.” Foods served at room temperature or slightly warmer are easier for the body to process and support healing, rather than forcing your pet’s body to work harder to compensate for cold food.
When warming bone broth or food, skip the microwave and opt for the stovetop. Use a stainless-steel or non-toxic, uncoated pot or pan. Pour the broth into the pan and gently heat for 45–60 seconds per ½ cup of liquid. Avoid bringing it to a boil, and always check that it’s warm — not hot — before serving.
For those feeding dry food to larger dogs (over 45 pounds), mix broth with water to stretch the benefits while still properly hydrating your dog. For every 2 cups of kibble, add about 1½ cups of moisture. Let the kibble soak for 10 minutes so the food particles can fully absorb the liquid, making digestion easier.
For fresh or raw-fed pups, a general guideline is 2 tablespoons of broth per 10 pounds of body weight. You can adjust this amount based on your dog’s needs and preferences.
Once opened, broth should be used within 7–10 days. If you have smaller dogs or cats, freezing the broth in an ice cube tray is a great option — simply thaw a few cubes at a time as needed. Avoid freezing broth in the glass bottle, as it may crack or break.
I hope you keep cozy in these winter months and enjoy some extra warming snuggles with your furkids.