Senior Joint Support Stew
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken feet (cleaned, nails removed)
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced
- 8 oz sardines (canned in water, bones included)
- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 1/2 cup brown rice
- 1 tbsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp ground eggshell (or 1 tsp calcium carbonate)
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Rinse chicken feet thoroughly and trim off nails with kitchen shears. Set aside.
- In a large pot, combine chicken broth, water, and brown rice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken feet to the pot and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 45 minutes until chicken feet are tender and cartilage is soft.
- Remove chicken feet with a slotted spoon. When cool enough to handle, chop into small pieces and return to the pot.
- Add diced chicken thighs, butternut squash, and ground turmeric. Simmer for 20 minutes until squash is fork-tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Stir in green beans, sardines (with bones, mashed gently), and coconut oil. Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Mix in ground eggshell and fresh parsley.
- Portion into airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze individual servings for up to 3 months.
💊 Required Supplements
Add the following per 2 cups of prepared stew: Glucosamine HCl 500mg, Chondroitin Sulfate 400mg, Omega-3 Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) 1000mg, Vitamin E 100 IU, and MSM 500mg. Mix supplements thoroughly into food at serving time. Do not add supplements during cooking as heat degrades efficacy.
Nutritional Analysis
1 cup (for 25lb dog)| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Protein | 32g (38% DM) |
| Fat | 14g (18% DM) |
| Carbohydrates | 28g (33% DM) |
| Fiber | 5g (6% DM) |
| Moisture | 72% |
| Calcium | 1.1% DM |
| Phosphorus | 0.85% DM |
| Ca:P Ratio | 1.3:1 |
🧊 Safety & Storage
Always serve at room temperature—never hot or frozen. Wash hands and all surfaces thoroughly after handling raw chicken. Store in refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below for maximum 5 days. Freeze in portion-sized containers at 0°F (-18°C) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator only. Discard any uneaten food after 2 hours at room temperature. Consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods, especially if your dog has kidney or liver conditions.
⚠️ Recipe Drift Warning
Do NOT substitute chicken feet with chicken breast—this eliminates the natural glucosamine and chondroitin source. Avoid replacing sardines with tuna (mercury concerns for seniors). Do not use pumpkin instead of butternut squash in equal amounts (different fiber content). Turmeric should not be replaced with curry powder (contains toxic garlic/onion). Never add salt, garlic, onion, or xylitol. Substituting coconut oil with olive oil removes the medium-chain triglycerides beneficial for senior cognitive health.
⚕️ Always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
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