Senior Joint Support Stew
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 lb beef stew meat (lean)
- 2 cups homemade bone broth (unsalted)
- 1 cup sweet potato, diced small
- 1/2 cup green beans, chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots, diced
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 2 tbsp wild-caught salmon oil
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup water (as needed)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place bone broth in a large slow cooker and set to low heat.
- Cut chicken thighs and beef stew meat into 1-inch cubes and add to the slow cooker.
- Add diced sweet potato, green beans, and carrots to the mixture.
- Stir in rolled oats and allow to cook on low for 6-7 hours until meat is tender and vegetables are soft.
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature (approximately 30-45 minutes).
- Flake meat apart with a fork to ensure no large chunks remain that could pose a choking hazard for senior dogs.
- Stir in wild-caught salmon oil, coconut oil, ground flaxseed, and blueberries.
- Add joint supplements as specified below and mix thoroughly.
- Portion into daily servings based on your dog's weight and refrigerate or freeze as directed.
💊 Required Supplements
Add per complete batch (approximately 4-5 days of food for a 25lb dog): Glucosamine HCl 1500mg, Chondroitin Sulfate 1200mg, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) 1000mg, Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) 200 IU, Fish oil providing EPA 900mg and DHA 600mg (in addition to salmon oil). Mix all powdered supplements into the cooled stew immediately before serving each meal, distributing evenly across portions. Do not cook supplements as heat degrades their efficacy.
Nutritional Analysis
1 cup (for 25lb senior dog)| Calories | 385 kcal |
| Protein | 32g (38% DM) |
| Fat | 18g (22% DM) |
| Carbohydrates | 22g (26% DM) |
| Fiber | 5g (6% DM) |
| Moisture | 74% |
| Calcium | 0.8% DM |
| Phosphorus | 0.7% DM |
| Ca:P Ratio | 1.14:1 |
🧊 Safety & Storage
Store prepared stew in airtight glass containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions in BPA-free containers or silicone molds for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator, never at room temperature. Always serve at room temperature or slightly warm (never hot). Discard any uneaten food after 2 hours. Wash hands and all surfaces thoroughly after handling raw meat during preparation. Consult your veterinarian before introducing this recipe, especially if your dog has kidney disease, pancreatitis, or is on blood-thinning medications due to the fish oil content.
⚠️ Recipe Drift Warning
Do NOT substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts as the lower fat content will reduce caloric density needed for seniors. Do NOT replace bone broth with commercial broth containing onion, garlic, or excessive sodium, which are toxic to dogs. Do NOT omit the flaxseed or substitute with whole seeds, as they will pass undigested. Do NOT use farmed salmon oil in place of wild-caught, as it contains lower omega-3 concentrations and higher contaminants. Do NOT add salt, seasonings, or garlic powder. Do NOT swap sweet potato for white potato in dogs with diabetes due to glycemic differences. Any deviation from specified supplements may alter joint support efficacy; do not adjust supplement dosages without veterinary guidance.
⚕️ Always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
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