Turmeric for dogs: 8 amazing benefits

Is turmeric for dogs an amazing supplement or is all of this just a hype? Let’s find out.

As dog guardians, we are always on the lookout for natural supplements as a part of our regular dog care routine. Turmeric for dogs is a strong contender in this category. Turmeric can act as an excellent supplementation to your dog’s regular diet. Turmeric is popular with people, and many dog owners now add it to their dog’s food. Here’s what it may do, how much to give, and when to skip it. Read the complete blog post to understand the amazing benefits of turmeric as an exceptional supplement for dogs.

For easy reading, I have divided the blog post into the following sections:

• What is turmeric?
• Is turmeric a good supplement for dogs?
• The ways in which turmeric can provide benefits to your dog:
• How to make the turmeric paste?
• How much turmeric paste should you add to your dog’s diet?
• Doses of turmeric to be administered to your pup
• Is turmeric safe for dogs?
• Side effects of administering turmeric to your dog:
• Conclusion

What is turmeric?

Generally, a flowering plant, however it is the turmeric’s root that acts as a supplement. Turmeric is a part of the ginger family. Even though it looks pretty similar to ginger, turmeric has a very specific smell which will help you distinguish it from ginger. The presence of curcumin in turmeric gives it its primary orange yellow color as well as the medicinal properties. Curcumin contains antioxidants, antimicrobial, chemo preventive as well as anti-inflammatory properties. In case of humans, curcumin has been observed to help in the following conditions:

• pain
• liver issues
• sprains
• skin issues
• treatment of cancer

Can dogs eat turmeric?

Yes, a small amount of turmeric is generally safe for healthy dogs, and curcumin (turmeric’s main compound) is included in some vet joint supplements. But the evidence that turmeric helps dogs is still limited, it is poorly absorbed, and it can interact with some medicines. Think of it as a possible extra, not a replacement for treatment, and check with your vet first.

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Is turmeric a good supplement for dogs?

As mentioned previously, turmeric contains curcumin which is the primary active ingredient of the supplement. Curcumin has been observed to have antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and wound healing properties. It has been observed to be able to fight diseases like diabetes, arthritis, liver disease, cancer, gastrointestinal diseases and many more.

Let’s understand the ways in which turmeric can provide benefits to your dog:

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties

It is a misconception amongst a lot of dog guardians that inflammation only happens to dogs who suffer from joint diseases. However chronic hidden inflammation can occur even in the absence of a joint disease. Certain diseases like digestive issues, kidney disease, dental problems, allergies, arthritis as well as cancer can be caused by inflammation. However, this does not make inflammation a problem that may go away on its own.

Inflammation happens when your dog’s body releases white blood cells to fight the foreign microorganisms. This influx of white blood cells to the region where the pathogenic microbe is present, leads to swelling of that place which is referred to as inflammation. However, chronic inflammation [inflammation going on for long periods like weeks, months or years] is the reason behind occurrence of most of the hospitalization related diseases in dogs. It has also been observed that low-grade inflammation is the primary driver of joint degradation as well as arthritis. A study done in 2014 found that curcumin present in turmeric acts better than ibuprofen in reducing pain in case of people suffering from arthritis.

Another study done in 2004 found that curcumin worked as well as other anti-inflammatory drugs.

These are promising early results, mostly in people, not proof that turmeric works for dogs.

Turmeric and cancer: what we know

Curcumin has been studied a lot in the lab for its effects on cancer cells, and the early results are interesting. But there’s no proof that turmeric prevents or treats cancer in dogs. If your dog has cancer, please don’t use turmeric instead of treatment, and ask your vet before adding it, because it may interact with chemotherapy drugs (Merck Veterinary Manual). Cancer is common in older dogs: the AVMA says almost half of dogs over 10 will develop it, so regular senior checkups matter more than any supplement.

Turmeric helps relieve arthritis pain

Arthritis in dogs is a very common problem with several dog breeds like Labradors, Great Danes etc. Arthritis primarily causes inflammation of the joints. Turmeric has been observed to relieve inflammation. This makes turmeric a great supplement for use in dogs who suffer from arthritis. Some studies in people with knee arthritis found curcumin eased pain, but dog studies are few. Never give your dog ibuprofen: it is toxic to dogs.

Turmeric can be helpful in treating gastrointestinal issues

Turmeric has shown a positive response in case of treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and other gastrointestinal disorders as well. Curcumin has shown to have positive effects on the gut permeability and gut inflammation.

Can turmeric replace steroids? No

Some early studies suggest curcumin has anti-inflammatory effects, but it has not been shown to replace steroids or other medicines in dogs. If your dog is on a steroid like prednisone, never stop it suddenly or swap it for turmeric: steroids must be reduced slowly under your vet’s guidance.

Turmeric can also act as a very powerful antioxidant

Antioxidants have been observed to slow the aging process, enhance regeneration of cells and increases the lifespan of an organism. Turmeric can act as a very powerful antioxidant. It will prevent the oxidative damage to the DNA, proteins as well as cells and keep your dog young and healthy for a longer period.

Boosts the immune system:

Turmeric is a great supplement to boost your dog’s immune system. In one recent study on turmeric, two groups of dogs were enrolled. One group was provided a diet rich in curcumin, while the control group was provided a diet without any curcumin. After 42 days, the dogs who were administered curcumin regularly showed elevated levels of antioxidant activity as well as improvement in the white and red blood cell counts. Another study found that the combination of Rosemary leaves and turmeric extract can reduce the growth of neoplastic cells [cancer cells].

Turmeric and bleeding

Curcumin can slow blood clotting. That’s why turmeric may raise the risk of bleeding, especially in dogs taking NSAID pain relievers (Merck Veterinary Manual). Stop turmeric before any planned surgery and tell your vet your dog is taking it.

Turmeric isn’t a replacement for any medicine your vet prescribes, and it can have side effects (see below). Used sensibly, it can be a small addition to a healthy diet.

How to make the turmeric paste?

Making turmeric paste is fairly easy. Since the curcumin of turmeric is hard for your dog’s intestine to absorb directly, making this paste can help in the absorption process. You will only need a few ingredients to make the turmeric paste

• ½ cup of organic turmeric powder
• 1-1  ½ cups of filtered water
• 1½ freshly grounded black pepper
•  ¼ cup of ghee.

Procedure to make the turmeric paste:

• Dilute the turmeric with 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Keep the remaining water aside in case you need to dilute the paste further later on.
• Stir the liquid on low heat for around 10 minutes or as long as it takes to form a thick paste.
• In case the paste becomes too thick, add some more water.
• In case the paste looks too watery, and add a small amount of turmeric and heat it for a few more minutes.
• Once the paste has thickened, add a small amount of pepper and stir it thoroughly.
• Wait for the mixture to cool
• Put the mixture in a jar and store it in a fridge. You can store this mixture for around two weeks.
• You can also use coconut oil instead of ghee for making this paste. Click here to know the complete benefits of coconut oil for your dog.

How much turmeric paste should you add to your dog’s diet?

If you are just starting out, start with very small doses of turmeric. Just add ¼ teaspoon to your dog’s diet initially. Once you observe that your dog is tolerating turmeric and you start noticing some health benefits as well, you can slowly work up to the amounts in the chart below. Don’t go above them unless your vet tells you to. However, how much of turmeric you can give your dog on a daily basis will be determined by your dog’s size and weight. Therefore, have a talk with your veterinarian before you start your dog on turmeric supplementation

You can add the turmeric paste your dog’s diet by directly mixing the paste directly with the food of your dog or by mixing it with some water and adding it to your dog’s diet. Luckily most dogs do not mind the taste of turmeric.

Doses of turmeric to be administered to your pup

• Small dogs should be given around ¼ teaspoon daily
• Medium-size dogs should be given around ½ teaspoon every day
• Large dogs should be given around ¾ teaspoon per day
• Giant dogs like Great Danes can be given around 1 teaspoon every day.

These amounts are a rough guide for turmeric paste. Ask your vet before giving more. It is better to administer turmeric in smaller quantities spread out over a few times in a day compared to giving the full dose at once since turmeric has a high metabolic rate and will leave your dog’s body quickly.

Turmeric can also help aid your dog if he or she is suffering from constipation.

Is turmeric safe for dogs?

In small amounts, turmeric is generally safe for healthy dogs. Turmeric as well as its primary ingredient curcumin has been observed to have a poor bioavailability. This means that it is not very well absorbed by the body of the dog. Turmeric also has been observed to have a high metabolic and elimination rate which indicates that it leaves the body of your dog really soon. Therefore, it is generally recommended to give turmeric to your dog in a paste form to observe the best outcome.

Which dogs should not take turmeric?

Talk to your vet before giving turmeric, and skip it unless your vet says it’s OK, if your dog:

• takes an NSAID pain reliever (like carprofen or meloxicam) or any blood thinner, because turmeric may raise the risk of bleeding (Merck Veterinary Manual)
• has surgery coming up, or has a bleeding or clotting problem
• is being treated for cancer, because turmeric may interact with chemotherapy drugs (Merck)
• takes medicine for diabetes
• is pregnant or nursing

Never stop or reduce a medicine your vet prescribed (especially steroids, which must be tapered) to switch to turmeric. Too much turmeric can cause vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and bloating. If you buy a supplement, choose one made for dogs; some products made for people contain other herbs or high-strength “enhanced absorption” curcumin.

Side effects of administering turmeric to your dog:

Turmeric is generally safe in small amounts. However, as it is with all kinds of supplements and food, not every supplement is meant for every dog. There are certain conditions when your dog should not be administered turmeric:

Turmeric has the potential to interact with certain medications like anti-diabetes as well as anti-inflammatory drugs. It may also interfere with chemotherapy treatments if your dog is on one. Therefore, if your dog is suffering from any prior illness or is on any active medication, it is best that you talk to your veterinarian before you start adding turmeric to your dog’s diet.

A large quantity of turmeric can cause upset stomach in your dog. Therefore, as previously mentioned, always start with small doses and gradually increase it.

Another minor issue with turmeric is that it can stain really well. Therefore, wash your hands with soap after handling the spice and keep it as far away from your clothes as possible.

Conclusion:

Turmeric can be a safe, small addition to many dogs’ diets, but the science is still early. However, as I always mention, consult your veterinarian before you start on the journey of adding any new supplement to your dog’s diet. Remember to start small and very gradually increase the dosage to the required amount. If your dog shows any signs of discomfort after taking turmeric, discontinue the use of the supplement immediately and consult your veterinarian. What natural supplements do you add to your dog’s diet? Which natural supplement do you think is the best? Let me know in the comment section below. If you have any queries regarding this blog post or any other, feel free to reach out to me. If you wish to share your story with the rest of the world, contact me on my social media channels. I will be happy to share your story with the world.

See you in my next blog post

Shruti