Is turmeric bad for dogs

Turmeric For Dogs: Benefits, How To Use, Side Effects & More

Turmeric is enjoying its moment in the spotlight these days, from its popular use in cooking to human medicinal supplements and beyond. This bright-yellow spice is purported to have numerous health benefits for humans, so the veterinary world (and pet food and pet supplement industries) have taken notice.

But first, is turmeric safe for dogs? Yes, for most dogs, its safe in small amounts. Are there proven benefits for our furry friends? Weve dug into the research into this golden root, what the veterinary community has to say about the use of turmeric for dogs, feeding guidelines, and more.

What Is Turmeric?

You might know turmeric as the spice that gives mustard and curry their vibrant golden color. It comes from the rhizomes (underground roots) of Curcuma longa, an herb thats native to Southeast Asia. Turmeric has a long history of medicinal use, dating back nearly 4,000 years.

Because of its long-time and variety of medicinal uses in Eastern medicine, modern Western medicine took a keen interest in turmeric. In the last 25 years, more than 3,000 studies have examined turmeric and its active ingredient, curcumin, a naturally occurring chemical compound. Numerous studies have found that turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties.

Is Turmeric Good For Dogs?

Research into turmerics benefits for dogs isnt nearly as extensive as it is for use in humans, but a growing body of research is finding promising benefits for our furry friends.

Its important to point out that turmeric should complement your pups current treatment rather than replace it. And always check with your veterinarian before giving your pup any supplement.

Joint Problems & Arthritis

One of the most commonly promoted uses of turmeric is to promote joint health for dogs suffering from arthritis and other joint problems. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric may help reduce swelling and pain and improve mobility. A frequently cited study found significantly lower pain indicators in arthritic dogs who were fed a mixture containing curcumin for three months. A few other studies found promising anti-inflammatory benefits in animals.

Pain Relief

The benefits of turmeric for dogs pain may well go beyond joint problems because inflammation is a major cause of pain in many conditions. One study comparing curcumin to ibuprofen showed curcumin to be as effective in treating chronic pain as ibuprofen. In another study comparing it to acetaminophen, researchers found curcumin as a safe alternative for acute pain relief.

Immune System Health

Because of curcumins potent antioxidant properties, it may help boost your pups overall health and improve your dogs ability to fight off diseases. One small study compared several health indicators of dogs given curcumin-enriched dog food versus a control group of dogs given the same food without curcumin. After 42 days on this diet, the dogs given curcumin showed stimulated antioxidant systems and greater numbers of red and white blood cells.

Cancer

Theres some evidence that curcumin may help reduce the risk of some types of cancer and slow tumor development. But as the American Cancer Society and other experts point out, more research needs to be conducted before its used as a cancer treatment. Still, some holistic vets recommend turmeric for dogs with cancer.

Tick Repellent

A fascinating study explored the use of turmeric oil as a tick deterrent. In several different experiments, researchers found that turmeric oil was able to prevent a climbing response by ticks and that it outperformed natural oils, DEET, and other ingredients as a tick repellent. However, before you slather your dog in turmeric oil, speak to your vet about how to use it safely as a tick deterrent. Turmeric essential oil must be heavily diluted when used on dogs.

Additional Potential Benefits For Dogs

Based on extensive research into curcumin in pre-clinical and clinical trials in humans and its use in traditional Eastern medicine, here are some other ways turmeric may benefit our furry friends.

• Aids digestion, soothes GI discomfort, and helps treat inflammatory bowel disease
• Helps thin the blood (lowering the risk of blood clots)
• Protects the liver from toxins
• Relieves irritated, swollen, and itchy skin from skin allergies (with topical application)

Is Turmeric Safe For All Dogs?

One of the many pluses of turmeric is its low side effects in people and dogs. However, its not safe for all dogs. Dogs with the following health conditions should avoid turmeric:

• On blood-thinner medications
• Upcoming surgery (due to blood-thinning properties)
• Kidney disease
• Gall bladder problems
• Iron deficiency
• Pregnant

Are There Side Effects Of Tumeric In Dogs?

Although side effects are generally low, giving your pup too much turmeric can cause gastrointestinal (GI) issues, such as stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. And giving your pup turmeric may cause negative interactions with the current medications hes taking. So be sure to check with your vet if your pup is on any other medications before giving him turmeric.

How Much Turmeric For Dogs?

A safe turmeric dosage for dogs per day is 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of grated raw turmeric for every 10 pounds of body weight. But you may want to start with smaller amounts, especially if your pup has a sensitive GI system.

Feeding your dog raw turmeric root (or plain turmeric powder), however, wont result in the ultimate benefits youre looking for. Why? When ingested in their raw root form, turmeric and curcumin have very low bioavailability, meaning theyre not absorbed well into the body to deliver optimal benefits. Turmeric also has a bitter taste, which your pup may not like.

So, youll need to look for products or recipes that include special ingredients to maximize bioavailability (see below). Research has shown that combining turmeric with a small amount of black pepper and healthy fat (like coconut oil or fish oil) significantly improves the bodys absorption of curcumin.

Turmeric Tip: Take precautions when youre preparing tumeric in your kitchen. The bright-yellow color stains everything, and its hard to get the stain out.

How Can Dogs Have Turmeric For The Best Results?

You have several options to give your canine companion turmeric safely and effectively. Heres the best turmeric for dogs recommended by pet experts and holistic veterinarians.

Note: You can find turmeric in many different dog foods, treats (like CBD dog treats), and dog joint supplements, but they may not have enough to provide the maximum health benefits compared to what you can find below.

Turmeric Supplements For Dogs

The simplest option is to give your pup a daily over-the-counter turmeric supplement. But its important to give your dog a supplement made specifically for dogs. Many human supplements contain high levels of turmeric (and possibly other ingredients) that are unsafe for dogs.

The following soft chews are all-natural and contain BioPerine, a black pepper extract, and healthy fats for ultimate body absorption. Some also include other key ingredients to support joint health.

The Famous Golden Paste

If youd rather give your pup an all-natural homemade solution, heres the best recipe. The Golden Paste was created by Dr. Doug English, an Australian veterinarian, and long-time turmeric researcher.

* You can substitute coconut oil with flaxseed oil or extra virgin olive oil.

In a saucepan, bring the turmeric powder and water to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 7-10 minutes (until you have a thick paste). Remove from heat and cool down for 10 minutes. Then, stir in the ground pepper and oil. You can store it for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Start slowly with 1/4 of a teaspoon twice a day mixed in with your dogs food. You can build up to 3-4 times a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the questions our readers ask most often about turmeric for dogs.

Can I Give My Dog Human Turmeric Capsules?

Many human turmeric capsules contain levels that are too high in turmeric and curcumin for dogs and may have other ingredients that arent safe for our furry friends. However, some with lower levels may be okay as long as you check with your vet first.

Can I Sprinkle Turmeric On My Dogs Food?

You can sprinkle grated raw turmeric, turmeric powder, or turmeric oil on your dogs food, but thats not nearly as effective as other ways to give your pup turmeric. Plain turmeric isnt absorbed well by our bodies so health benefits will be minimal if you go this route.

Pain Relief Options For Dogs

If youre not a fan of pharmaceuticals for your pup, feeding your dog turmeric is one of several holistic ways you can ease your pups inflammation and pain from arthritis or other conditions. Our ultimate guide on the best natural pain relief for dogs explains all of your options, from supplements and herbal remedies to alternative therapies like acupuncture and more.

Turmeric for Dogs: Top 5 Benefits, Including for Cancer and Arthritis

Have you ever thought about what you can do naturally to boost your dogs health? Something you may want to strongly consider is turmeric for dogs.Is turmeric good for dogs? Generally speaking, it can be very good for dogs.Turmeric benefits are extremely impressive for humans so its not really that surprising that this golden-colored root could also be quite magical for pets as well.

In general, the active component of turmeric known as curcumin displays powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and chemopreventive abilities. If youre wondering, can I give my dog turmeric for pain? Yes, pain is actually one of the top reasons why pet owners supplement with turmeric. Its not hard at all to incorporate it into your dogs diet. You can mixa turmeric paste for dogs into their food, give it to them in homemade turmeric dog treats, or buy pre-made treats or supplements.

Is turmeric safe for dogs? It is generally considered safe for dogs in small amounts.You may even find it as an ingredient in your dogs current food, but its likely only used to enhance color and flavor so there is not enough to provide any medicinal effects. This is why you may want to consider supplementing your dogs diet with this incredible health-promoting spice.

Wondering how much turmeric is safe to give my dog? Get ready to learn dosage recommendations and much more!

Top 5 Turmeric Benefits for Dogs

What does turmeric cure? It can help naturally treat and improve a wide arrange of health concerns, especially ones related to inflammation. Turmeric benefits for dogs include:

1. Turmeric for Dogs With Cancer

Holistic vets often recommend using turmeric as a form of natural cancer treatment for dogs. According to Dogs Naturally Magazine, half of adult dogs today will get cancer, and turmeric is a great way to protect your dog from inflammation and cancer.The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which research studies have shown cankill cancer cells and prevent more from growing.

2. Turmeric for Dogs Arthritis

You can also try using turmeric for arthritis in dogs. As with human arthritis, dog arthritis is a chronic condition with inflammation at its root. As a potent anti-inflammatory agent, turmeric is a top natural remedy for arthritis to consider. A study published in 2014 looked at the effects of turmeric on human osteoarthritis patients. The study results reveal that supplementing with turmeric extract was just as effective as ibuprofenbut with less unwanted gastrointestinal effects.

3. Turmeric for Dogs Cysts

Later in this article, there is a recipe for turmeric paste for internal use, but you can also use turmeric paste for dog cysts topically. Check with your vet first, but internal and/or external use of turmeric may likely help reduce the inflammation associated with a cysts. Its also a great natural antiseptic. Dogs can experience sebaceous cysts, which aresmall, slow-growing, noncancerous bumps beneath the skin. A mix of turmeric powder, coconut oil and witch hazel can be applied topically to naturally treat sebaceous cysts.

4. Turmeric for Dog Wounds

You can apply turmeric paste topically for minor wounds like cuts and scrapes. Turmeric hasantimicrobial properties so it can help kill bacteria and disinfect a wound. Its also great for reducing inflammation. Research shows that turmerics active component, curcumin, is a natural analgesic, so applying it topically can help decrease pain too. Just beware that turmerics vibrant coloring can stain your dogs coat/skin with a yellowish tint temporarily.

5. Turmeric for Dogs UTI

In dogs, urinary tract infections (UTIs)are the result of an invasion of bacteria. They can occur in the lower urinary tract (below the bladder), in the bladder or above the bladder (in the kidneys). Some pet owners are concerned about antibiotic resistance for themselves as well as their four-legged friends and are looking for natural remedies for canine UTIs. Turmerics combined abilities to kill bacteria, lower inflammation and reduce pain make it one of several options dog owners often consider as a natural UTI remedy.

Turmeric for Dogs Dosage

Whether you choose turmeric capsules for dogs or some other form of this incredible natural remedy, youre probably wondering, how much turmeric can I give my dog?

Dr. Karen Becker recommends that small to medium-sized dogs take 250 milligrams twice a day, while large to giant breeds should be given 500 milligrams two to three times a day.She suggests that cats can take about 100 milligrams twice a day.

According to Dogs Naturally Magazine, The recommended dose for dogs is 15mg20mg per pound of body weight per day, or more simply put, 1/8 to 1/4 tsp per day for every 10lbs in weight.

The proper turmeric dosage for dogs definitely varies by size and health status. Make sure to discuss the use of turmeric, including ideal dosage, with your veterinarian. Typically, you should increase turmeric doses for dogs gradually to be on the safe side, and make sure to purchase high-quality, organic turmeric products for your pet.

Turmeric Recipes for Dogs

Its important to note that just like with human consumption, a dogs body absorbs and utilizes turmeric best when its mixed with a healthy fat and black pepper. This is why its not uncommon to see a turmeric recipe for dogs that includes coconut oil or another good fat source.

You can use turmeric powder for dogs (or a pure turmeric powder for humans can be used too) in any of the following recipes:

If you would prefer a turmeric supplement for dogs, look for one that is high-quality and ideally organic.You can also buy turmeric chews for dogs that are pre-made.

Precautions

Is turmeric safe for dogs? It can be as long as you know how much turmeric for dogs is safe vs. too much. Too much turmeric may cause unwanted side effects.

What are the side effects of turmeric? Possible unwanted side effects include upset stomach, nausea, gallbladder issues, dizziness, bruising and iron deficiency. However, these are not common side effects when dogs (or humans) take turmeric in appropriate amounts. Side effects are more likely when turmeric is taken in excess.

Using turmeric topically can result in yellow staining of clothes, skin and hair so use with caution.

Is turmeric bad for dogs in certain situations? Just like with humans, its very important that you speak with your vet before giving your pet turmeric if it has had liver issues or other ongoing health problems or is currently talking other medications/supplements to ensure there will be no unwanted interactions. In addition, turmeric is considered to be a warming spice so if your canine is frequently hot or overheats easily, turmeric may not be an ideal choice.

If youre considering turmeric for your dog, talk with your veterinarian about an ideal dosage and any recommendations he or she may have for the best turmeric supplement for dogs.