Bone Broth: Made by Nacho’s Secret Ingredient
A tasty, protein-packed broth that’s beloved among chefs is taking the Made by Nacho menu — and picky feline palates — by storm.
What Is Bone Broth?
Bone broth is that rich liquid reduction that’s left over after you simmer meaty bones (and sometimes veggies) in water for an extended period of time. The long cooking process releases proteins, minerals and amino acids, giving the stock its nutritional benefits. What’s more, bone broth’s satisfying taste makes it a favorite ingredient of chefs like Bobby Flay (aka Nacho’s dad), who uses it as a base for delicious sauces and soups. Well, when Nacho Flay learned that, he thought: Why not bring it into my menu?
Now, Nacho considers bone broth his “secret” flavor ingredient for enticing finicky cats back to their food bowls. He also likes that it offers 3 key benefits for helping cats live a long and happy life. They are:
Protein, Protein, Protein
Protein is so important for cats it bears repeating. What Nacho knows from doing more than two years of ingredient research is just how fundamental protein is to a cat’s physiology. Why? Cats have unique nutritional needs much like tigers, lions and other members of their species. They require significantly more protein than, say, dogs, because they use it for growth, body maintenance and energy. Basic minimum protein requirements for cats have been established by the Feline Nutrition Expert (FNE) Subcommittee, but don’t worry: Nacho has done the work for you by adding protein-rich bone broth to his Made by Nacho recipes.
Helps Cats Stay Hydrated
We’ve all heard the saying about leading a horse to water, right? Well, the same goes for cats. Felines have what Nacho’s lifelong vet, Dr. Katja Lang, describes as a low thirst drive. That means cats don’t always feel the need to drink enough water to meet their daily H2O requirement. This peculiar feline quirk can lead to dehydration, which can in turn lead to constipation, bladder inflammation and kidney disease. With that in mind, Nacho added bone broth to his cat food to help encourage lazy feline drinkers to take in additional fluids when they eat.
Tasty & Comforting Remedy
The most obvious connection between bone broth and health is that of chicken soup and its long association as a comfort food that cures upper respiratory illnesses in humans. Respiratory infections are also common in cats. While there’s not a lot of clinical evidence to go on, it wasn’t hard for Nacho to conclude that bone broth might similarly help ailing kitties feel better. Like Grandma’s good old-fashioned chicken soup, bone broth tastes great and delivers all the loving care cats need — protein, hydration, vitamins — to keep their immune systems purring.
