Gut Supporting Holiday Treat for Pets (and their People!)

Don’t throw out your holiday bird carcass, organs, and parts!

We at Shepherd Boy Farms wanted to know the healthiest and best way to spoil our fur babies during the holiday season. So we asked a vet nutritionist who specializes in healing chronic illness with the help of whole foods, what's the best way to spoil your pet while secretly bolstering their health?

This was Dr. Evelyn's response

Use the stuff that you would normally discard to make yummy, gut-healing Bone Broth.

According to research:

“Bone broth offers a nutrient-dense option for enhancing overall health and may offer an alternative to dietary supplements with claims for enhanced gut health.”

When bones are simmered for a long time, especially in a slightly acidic environment (thanks to the apple cider vinegar) they release healing amino acids, minerals and collagen. By including the joints, tendons, skin, and even exposing some of the marrow cavities, you increase the nutrient release. Herbs, spices, and veggies added at the end, increase nutrient levels and beneficial components.

When your cooled product jiggles like Jello, you know you have some potent bone broth!

Nutrients in bone broth, amino acids including glutamine, glycine, proline, histidine, arginine; minerals including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, and up to 12 mg collagen per cup of broth contribute to the benefits listed in this article.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40180691/

At Shepherd Boy Farms, we believe in farm to bowl nutrition that nourishes pets from the inside out. This homemade bone broth is the perfect complement to our freeze dried meals, creating a wholesome, hydrating and delicious meal your pet will love.

Benefits of bone broth based on research;

Enhancement of gut health,
Alleviated inflammation in the intestinal barrier
Improved intestinal barrier function in health and disease states, particularly in inflammatory bowel disease
Enhancement of nutrient absorption.

Turkey Bone Broth Recipe

Ingredients:

Turkey carcass including skin, the neck and any other parts not eaten as well as any juices collected from cooking (that are not used for gravy) or the serving platter
4-6 quarts filtered water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Additional healthy ingredients as desired- added in the last hour of cooking. Consider adding ginger, turmeric, garlic or mushrooms.
Instructions:

Bone Broth, Regular Stove-top Method

Place turkey carcass along with fat and skin in a large stock pot; save the accumulated juices to add later. If the carcass doesn't fit, break the carcass down into smaller parts. Add apple cider vinegar and cover with water until the carcass is submerged and covered by 1" of water.
Bring pot to a boil over medium heat. Turn down heat to low and simmer for 7 -24 hours.
In the last hour of cooking, add the garlic, ginger, turmeric and/ or mushrooms to add additional health benefits.

If using a slow cooker, turn the slow cooker on high for 4 hours, then lower temp to the low setting for 8 hours. You can repeat the 8 hour cycle up to twice more. When there are two hours left on the slow cooker, add the garlic, ginger, turmeric and/ or mushrooms if desired.

Filter, Chill, and Remove Fat (for Both Stove-top and Slow-Cooker Methods)

With a pair of tongs, remove large parts of bones and vegetables from the pot. You can throw the bones and mushy vegetables away.
Carefully pour the stock through a strainer into another large pot or bowl. To cool quickly, place the bowl of hot stock in another bowl that is filled with ice water. When the ice has melted, drain some of the water, and add more ice. Do this a few times until the stock is cool enough to touch.
Ladle the cooled stock to storage containers and refrigerate overnight to allow fat to rise to the top and solidify. After fat has solidified, remove and discard.
Store stock in refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.

Note: This recipe yields anywhere from 2 -4 quarts of bone broth.

Cats and dogs can get 1 oz for every 10 lbs of body weight daily. This can be added as a healthy and tasty topper to food.

Pair with Shepherd Boy Farms Freeze Dried Meals

For a complete, farm to bowl meal, pour this homemade bone broth over Shepherd Boy Farms freeze dried chicken recipes. Our meals are crafted with human grade ingredients, just like your broth, ensuring your pet gets:

High quality protein for muscle health and energy
Wholesome veggies and herbs for vitality and immune support
Hydration and digestion support from the bone broth

It’s a match made in pet parent heaven: nutritious, delicious and easy to serve!

Human members of the family can take 4-8 ounces daily, either as a warm drink or as stock for soups or to make rice.

Here are just some of the benefits of the ingredients I suggest adding. You can also add additional veggies for flavor.

Ginger decreases inflammation and a great source of manganese. Studies show that it is beneficial for:

Decreasing pain
Managing blood sugar
Decreasing nausea and vomiting
Managing healthy cholesterol levels
Decreasing inflammation by decreasing inflammatory cytokines

Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant, helping to control oxidative stress. Since oxidative stress is the basis for chronic inflammation and aging, its wide range of benefits is not surprising.

Oxidative stress management
Inflammation management for many conditions including arthritis
Blood sugar control
Cholesterol control

Garlic with its nutrients and sulfur-containing products like allicin has many documented health benefits including;

Decreased risk of diabetes
Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease
Boosts the immune system
Has antibacterial and antifungal benefits
Anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties

And yes, garlic is perfectly safe and beneficial for your pets in small amounts.
See our garlic post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1sshNDsZbw/

Mushrooms- All mushrooms are beneficial and nutritional powerhouses. Each type of mushroom has its own special property, but they have many in common. So add whatever type of mushrooms you have in your fridge. Even the lowly white button mushroom can do great things!

Benefits of mushrooms include:

Great source of B vitamins and other nutrients
Help manage oxidative stress
Inflammation control
Support gut health
Support the gut microbiome
Cancer prevention
Blood sugar management

Evelyn Kass DVM

Pet Nutrition Doctor

Ready to Nourish Your Pet?

This holiday season, give your pet the gift of gut healing, farm fresh nutrition. Whether you make this broth at home or pair it with Shepherd Boy Farms freeze-dried meals, you’re providing a meal that’s as wholesome as it is delicious.

Shop our freeze-dried meals here and treat your pet to the best!

Resources:

Benefits of Bone Broth: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10620-025-08997-x

Benefits of Collagen: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8521576/#Sec25

Benefits of Garlic: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10409574/

Benefits of Ginger: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7019938/#sec3-nutrients-12-00157

Benefits of Turmeric: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5664031/

Benefits of Mushrooms: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11899115/