What is Turmeric for Dogs?
There are lots of reasons you should give your dog turmeric. Believe it or not, this little spice is making a headway in holistic pet medicine that can essentially make a huge impact in your dog’s health and even the lifespan.
Dog's health has always been a relevant topic to those who have canines as family members. Despite the numerous pet medications available, most dog owners prefer to go organic or natural replacement.
One of the most renowned spices used in improving health is turmeric.
This golden relative of the humble ginger has long been used as medicine since its discovery about 4,000 years ago. To this day, turmeric is a spice for cooking and religious rituals.
Also known as Indian saffron, turmeric has always been beneficial to health. It is no surprise that this golden spice is now used for man’s best friend as well.
What is Curcumin?
Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin. It is an organic compound that offers a wide variety of health benefits to you and your dog.
This herb has antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties and can even fight cancer.
Curcumin is also effective in healing wounds more quickly, and in fighting conditions such as liver disease, arthritis, diabetes cancer, gastrointestinal issues, Alzheimer and more.
Senior dogs move slower because of the pain and discomfort brought about by arthritis. Curcumin helps reduce their pain because of its anti-inflammatory effects.
Since this compound is also an antioxidant, it also helps retard aging and degeneration in canines. It essentially lengthens the life of canines.
12 Health Benefits of Turmeric
There are numerous studies supporting the health benefits of turmeric. Dogs can benefit from this golden spice, especially if they take it regularly.
Turmeric as a Powerful Antioxidant
Free radicals surround dogs every day. These unpaired electron invaders accumulate in and then damage the dog’s cells. They are by-products of metabolism.
There are times when the dog’s immune system makes free radicals to battle bacteria and viruses. Free radicals also form when canines are exposed to toxins, chemicals, pollution, pesticides, and processed foods.
When free radicals accumulate in the cells, their electrons make them react to various compounds in a very unstable way. Doing so allows them to catch another electron to initiate their stability. Free radicals take the nearest stable molecule.
They steal the electron of that molecule to become stable, leaving the molecule to turn into a free radical. The cycle then repeats itself.
This is oxidative stress. It damages proteins, DNA, and cells in the dog’s body, bringing forth diseases such as cancer.
Curcumin in turmeric can treat and even prevent diseases with chronic inflammation.
Turmeric Shows Promise with Cancer Patient
Many dogs are diagnosed with such ailments, which often give way to other disorders. Kidney diseases, allergies, and problems with digestion are only some of these ailments.
When dogs develop this ailment, their oncologists usually prescribe traditional cancer medications. These drugs are synthetic and expensive. Turmeric can battle these disorders without side effects.
According to the American Cancer Society, curcumin in turmeric prevents the growth of the cyst and prevents it from metastasizing. It can also kill cancerous cells and shrinks tumors.
Most of the adult dogs today are prone to cancer, so turmeric being a powerful antioxidant & anti-inflammatory can help avoid the formation of cancer and protect your dog from inflammation.
Is Turmeric Safe for Dogs?
There are also turmeric capsules, which dog owners usually give to finicky dogs. Even if they come with instructions, they should be discussed with the veterinarian first.
Yes, turmeric is safe for dogs. Accompanied by black pepper and a healthy oil can help the body absorb the spice herb effectively.
You can mix turmeric with their food or baked homemade treats.
You can also create a golden paste which can make it easier to administer the spice to your pet.
Golden Paste for Dogs Recipe
For now, you're likely convinced how this wonderful turmeric can help with your pup's health.
So, you decided to incorporate turmeric on your dog's diet but there are some important things you need to know first before giving turmeric to your dogs.
The curcumin which is the active ingredients in turmeric is NOT easily absorbed by the body but don't worry, here's one practical tip below.
1.) Golden Paste Recipe
One good tip is to pair turmeric with ground black pepper and a healthy oil like coconut oil or olive oil to increase absorption.
A phytochemical substance found in black pepper called "piperine" helps boost turmeric's absorption by up to 2000% from the digestive system into the bloodstream.
Studies confirmed that turmeric’s potency may be as good as fourteen prescription medications.
It is also more advantageous because it does not have any side effects. Taking this golden paste recipe every day can improve nutrient absorption. This paves the way for other health benefits to surface.
Golden Paste Recipe
Directions:
- 1Put the water in the pan and slowly warm it.
- 2Once it's warm, add the turmeric powder and stir while simmering the mixture to a very low heat.
- 3Stir and let it cook for about 6-7 minutes until the consistency becomes thick.
- 4Remove the pot from the heat and transfer the mixture into a bowl.
- 5Then add the coconut oil or (bone broth), ground pepper + cinnamon. Mix it thoroughly.
- 6Pour the finished golden paste into a clean, dry glass jar and store in the fridge. It can last for about a month.
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2.) Turmeric Gravy Recipe
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Turmeric Dosage for Dogs
Dosage of Golden Paste for Dogs
- Start by adding 1/4 – 1/2 tsp of golden paste to each meal
- You can increase the dosage in small amount every 5 days and work up from there to gauge their tolerance.
- For healthy dogs, stick with the lower dosage of 1/4 – 1/2 tsp per meal, because giving more gives them diarrhea.
- Ultimately, you want to do 1/4 tsp for every 10 lbs of body weight.
- Important: Start slow and increase the dosage gradually.
Dog's Weight | Golden Paste Dosage |
|---|---|
Small Dogs | start with about 1/4 tsp per day |
Medium Dogs | start with 1/2 tsp per day |
Large Dogs | start with 3/4 tsp per day |
Giant Dogs | start with 1 tsp per day |
Note: All dogs are different. It helps the dog owner identify any adverse effects from ingesting turmeric if you start with the dosage slow and increase it gradually.
A dog can assimilate turmeric up to 3x a day, but the initial dosage should start at once a day.
Turmeric Supplement Dosage (In Capsule)
Dog's Weight | Turmeric Dosage |
|---|---|
1 to 10 lbs. | ½ capsule or 1/16 to 1/8 tsp of a powder |
10 to 20 lbs. | ½ capsule to 1 capsule or 1/8 tsp to ¼ tsp of a powder |
20 to 50 lbs | 1 to 2 capsules or ¼ tsp. to 1 tsp. powder |
50 to 100 lbs. | 1 to 2 capsules or 1 to 2 tsp powder |
More than 100 lbs. | 2 tsp or the equivalent of an adult human dose of capsules |
Quick Tip: Adding straight powder to your dog's food is a waste of time without adding the "bioavailability boosters" to help with absorption— it will just pass through the dog’s body without being absorbed.
What You Should Know Before Buying Turmeric
Don't be deceived by the low price which generally contains a fraction of curcumin and may be grown in an environment often laden with pesticides and padded with other harmful chemicals.
Black pepper contains an active ingredient called piperine that boosts the bioavailability of turmeric by 2000%.
How to Give Turmeric to Your Dog
Some picky dogs do not like having the paste mixed into their food but others do.
It is ideal to start with small amounts of the paste, gradually increasing it until the dog doesn’t mind it.
2.) Mix it with the bake gluten-free treats with turmeric powder.
My Dog Smells Like a "Cat-Pee" After Taking Turmeric
Side Effects of Turmeric for Dogs
- A common symptom when trying to feed too much turmeric/curcumin too quickly is nausea. As a precaution, always start slow and work up the dosage gradually.
- Turmeric is a natural blood thinner making it a powerful agent for reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Dogs on blood-thinning medications may not be candidates for using turmeric. Consult with your holistic vet before adding turmeric to your dog's diet.
- Make sure they have lots of water because Turmeric is a binding agent which can lead to constipation. A little yogurt can also be administered to balance out the digestive flora.
BottomLine:
Walking an extra mile for man’s best friend is something loving dog parents always do not just a simple trip to the vet. Acquiring and preparing turmeric for dogs is definitely an expression of great love.
Chelsea is a qualified veterinarian with background in animal care and training services. She loves dogs and at personal level, understands the powerful, emotional connection that dogs and humans have with each other.
Chelsea Moore // DVM