Bone Broth & Goat Milk: Superfoods for Hydration#

We know that hydration is the key to preventing kidney disease. But what do you do when your cat refuses to drink?

You make the water irresistible.

In the raw feeding community, Bone Broth and Goat Milk are known as “Super Toppers.” They are nutrient-dense fluids that trick cats into consuming more liquid while providing collagen for joints and probiotics for the gut.

Here is how to make (or buy) these superfoods safely.

Bone Broth: Liquid Gold for Joints#

Bone broth is full of Collagen, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin. For a heavy Maine Coon prone to hip dysplasia, this is a natural joint supplement.

The “No-Onion” Rule: You cannot share your soup with your cat. Human broth contains onions and garlic, which are toxic to cats (causing anemia). You must make cat-safe broth.

Amelia’s Slow Cooker Recipe:

1. Bones: Chicken feet (high collagen), marrow bones, or a turkey carcass.
2. Acid: 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar (helps leach minerals from the bone).
3. Water: Cover the bones by 2 inches.
4. Cook: Low heat for 24-48 hours. The bones should crumble when touched.
5. Strain: CRITICAL. You must strain every single bone fragment out. Cooked bones splinter.
6. Cool: Let it set in the fridge. Skim off the layer of fat on top (too much fat = pancreatitis).
7. Serve: The resulting jelly is pure collagen. Warm it up to turn it back into liquid.

Goat Milk: The Universal Mother#

Cow’s milk is bad for cats (lactose). Raw Goat Milk is different.

• Digestibility: It has smaller fat globules and less casein than cow milk. Most lactose-intolerant cats can handle it.
• Probiotics: Raw (unpasteurized) goat milk is teeming with live enzymes and good bacteria. It is fantastic for cats recovering from antibiotics.
• Electrolytes: It is nature’s Gatorade.

Where to buy: Look in the freezer section of high-end pet stores (brands like Primal or Answers). Do not buy the pasteurized stuff in a carton at Walmart; the heat kills the good bacteria.

How to Serve#

1. The Topper: Pour 2 tablespoons over their dry or wet food. It adds moisture and flavor.

2. The “Appetizer”: If your cat is fussy, offer a small bowl of warm broth before the main meal to kickstart their digestion.

3. The Summer Pawsicle: Freeze goat milk or broth in ice cube trays. On a hot day, drop a cube into their water bowl or let them lick it on the patio.

Conclusion#

Hydration doesn’t have to be boring. By adding these nutrient-dense fluids to your Maine Coon’s diet, you are protecting their kidneys and joints with every sip. Plus, watching a giant cat enthusiastically lap up warm chicken broth on a cold morning is incredibly satisfying.

Resources & Further Reading#

• Integrative Veterinary Care Journal. (2020). The benefits of bone broth for pets.
• Dogs Naturally (Feline Section). (n.d.). Goat Milk for Cats: Benefits and Uses.