Senior Joint Support Stew
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced
- 1 lb wild-caught salmon fillet, cubed
- 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 4 cups homemade bone broth (unsalted)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced chicken thighs and cook for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned on all sides.
- Pour in the bone broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add butternut squash and carrots. Cook on low heat for 15 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Add green beans and salmon cubes. Simmer for an additional 8-10 minutes until salmon is cooked through and vegetables are tender. Do not overcook the salmon.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the beaten eggs slowly while mixing to create a custard-like texture. This adds protein and acts as a natural thickener.
- Fold in blueberries, parsley, and remaining 1 tbsp coconut oil. The residual heat will warm the blueberries without destroying their antioxidants.
- Allow the stew to cool completely to room temperature before serving. Mash lightly with a fork for dogs with dental issues.
- Divide into portions based on your dog's weight. Refrigerate portions not being served immediately.
💊 Required Supplements
For a 25 lb dog (per daily serving): 1/2 teaspoon fish oil (providing approximately 500mg combined EPA/DHA), 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder (with pinch of black pepper for absorption), 500mg glucosamine HCl powder, 400mg chondroitin sulfate powder, 1/2 teaspoon green-lipped mussel powder. Mix supplements into the stew just before serving to preserve potency. Do not add supplements during cooking heat. Consult your veterinarian before adjusting dosages, especially for dogs on blood thinners or with shellfish allergies.
Nutritional Analysis
1.5 cups (for 25lb senior dog, split into 2 meals daily)| Calories | 520 kcal |
| Protein | 42g (38% DM) |
| Fat | 22g (20% DM) |
| Carbohydrates | 28g (25% DM) |
| Fiber | 6g (5% DM) |
| Moisture | 74% |
| Calcium | 0.8% DM |
| Phosphorus | 0.7% DM |
| Ca:P Ratio | 1.14:1 |
🧊 Safety & Storage
Store in airtight glass containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze individual portions in silicone molds or freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator, never at room temperature. Reheat gently to lukewarm only—do not microwave. Always wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling raw ingredients. Discard any uneaten food left out for more than 2 hours. The bone broth must be unsalted and free of onion, garlic, or other alliums toxic to dogs.
⚠️ Recipe Drift Warning
Do not substitute salmon with farmed tilapia or catfish—omega-3 content is significantly lower and defeats the joint health purpose. Butternut squash should not be replaced with white potato, which is higher glycemic and less nutrient-dense for seniors. Never use store-bought broth containing onion, garlic, excessive sodium, or yeast extract. Bone broth substitutes like vegetable broth lack the collagen and glycosaminoglycans essential for joint support. Eggs must be fully cooked into the stew—raw egg whites contain avidin which interferes with biotin absorption. Do not add salt, seasonings, or thickeners like flour or cornstarch.
⚕️ Always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
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