Is Tumeric Safe For Dogs: 4 Benefits Of Tumeric

Turmeric is often celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties. For use by humans, it is blended into golden milk or taken as a supplement. You might even find it in your favorite tea bag or soup. It is said to help with everything from headaches to chronic pain and might even prevent some types of cancers. If you want more good news – turmeric is a great herb to share with your caninefriend.

Is turmeric safe for dogs?

Yes! Turmeric is an herb you can feel good about sharing with your dog. With over 6,000 studies to its credit, turmeric has been proven to either effectively eliminate the need for, or enhance the effects of many conventional treatments or medications. There are some good reasons to add turmeric to your dog’s diet. From treating arthritis to fighting inflammation.

4 benefits of turmeric

While there are many studies and articles touting the benefits of turmeric, these four benefits are some of the most commonly studied or written about.

1. Anti-inflammatory

While inflammation can be important as it can show there is an issue going on, it can also lead to conditions that are uncomfortable. Chronic inflammation can cause pain including allergies, arthritis, digestive issues, kidney issues, and even cancers. Turmeric has been shown to reduce inflammation in your dog’s body.

2. Reduces arthritis pain

More specifically, if your pup has been diagnosed with arthritis, you should discuss adding turmeric to your dog’s diet. It has been shown in humans to be as effective as ibuprofen for treating arthritis pain. Note that ibuprofen is not safe for dogs and should not be used as a canine arthritis treatment. Be sure to consult your vet about appropriate pain management for your dog.

3. Helps with gastrointestinal disorders

Turmeric has been shown to help with gastrointestinal disorders including irritable bowel disease. Before using turmeric as a treatment, make sure to consult with your vet to rule out other conditions including cancer.

4. Can prevent cancer

By reducing inflammation in your pup’s body, you might be able to prevent your pup from getting cancer in the first place. Even if you’re using turmeric proactively, be sure to continue to work with your vet to make sure your pup still gets appropriate screenings for cancer and diseases.

How much turmeric is recommended for dogs?

Turmeric can be a bit of an acquired taste. You might not be able to just sprinkle some Turmeric over your pup’s food and have them wolf it down. You also want to be wary of dog treats containing turmeric. While they might be delicious like this Turmeric Latte treat from Bocce’s Bakery, they will likely not have enough turmeric to be therapeutic.

To get all the health benefits of Turmeric, try this golden paste from Simple Wag:

Golden Paste Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup – turmeric powder (*make sure the turmeric powder is organic and is loaded with curcumin!)
• 1 – 1 1/2 cups – filtered water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons – freshly ground black pepper (*pepper increases the effectiveness of turmeric)
• 1/4 cup – organic, cold-pressed coconut oil

Directions:

1. Mix the turmeric and the filtered water in a pan
2. Begin with 1 cup of water and add more if needed
3. Stir the liquid combination on low/medium heat until it forms a thick paste (approximately 7–10 minutes)
4. If the paste is watery, simply add more turmeric powder
5. Next, add the pepper and coconut oil to the paste and stir in very well
6. Allow the paste to cool. The mixture can be put in a jar (one with a lid) and should be kept in the refrigerator for no more than 2 weeks

You can add the golden paste directly into your pup’s meals.

Recommended guideline for dosages:

• Small dogs – start with about 1/4 teaspoon per day
• Medium dogs – start with 1/2 teaspoon per day
• Large dogs – start with 3/4 teaspoon per day
• Giant dogs – start with 1 teaspoon per day

As with any new food or supplement, go slowly when adding to your pet’s diet. You can work up to the recommended dose over a few weeks. Make sure your dog has plenty of water available to prevent stomach irritation or constipation. If your pet is having any adverse effects from the golden paste contact your vet. They may recommend that you switch how you’re giving turmeric to your pup. You can also try a capsule (which can be hidden in peanut butter or cream cheese) or a chew loaded with turmeric.

A final note, you may have noticed several mentions of turmeric’s golden color throughout this article. Turmeric can be messy and stain. You may want to feed your pet turmeric out of a specific bowl and be sure not to let them get it on your couch, bed or clothing as it may stain.

The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.