Is Turmeric Good For Dogs?

What we eat and put into our bodies is a huge part of the holistic lifestyle and holistic healing. The belief is that through healthy habits and natural, preventative care, ailments will be avoided or minimized. We can extend many of our holistic practices and treatments to our pets. The use of turmeric for dogs as a dietary supplement is a practice that has gained popularity. But is turmeric good for dogs?

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. It is native to southeast India and is used in powder form as a spice in Indian food and curries. It is a natural dye (you’ll find it in mustard), and it’s flavor is earthy and bitter. The active agent in turmeric is called “curcumin,” and is a natural pain reliever.

What’s the big whoop about turmeric for dogs?

Turmeric has been used for healing in Indian cultures for centuries but is only relatively recently getting a lot of buzz in western cultures as a preventative and supportive substance, mainly when consumed as a supplement. Clinical trials have recently begun, but turmeric is widely thought to have many preventative and natural medicinal properties. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and antiviral. Wikipedia states that:

As of December 2013, turmeric is being evaluated for its potential efficacy against several human diseases in clinical trials, including kidney and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, several types of cancer, and irritable bowel disease. Turmeric is also being investigated for potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and other clinical disorders.”

I’m not waiting for the “official” FDA approval. Since there are no negative side effects to supplementing with turmeric (unless you are allergic or have a blood-clotting disorder), it can’t do me any harm, so why not? I have been using turmeric powder in my morning drink for nearly two years and have recently started my dog, N.A.S.H.A. on a small amount. As with any preventative treatment, results can’t really be pinpointed with regard to what I may have been subjected to had I not been supplementing, but I can attest to it’s healthful properties.

I have suffered for years from joint issues in my hand as a result of broken bones that occurred in 2007. My knuckles would be painful and difficult to bend and utilize, especially in the cold winter months. Since supplementing with turmeric, my hand has not been a source of pain. I also feel that as my workout schedule has intensified over the last year, turmeric has helped my body heal and repair itself, which is something that took much longer before I began using it. I prefer using turmeric to synthetic workout supplements. I have also noticed a drastic reduction in my environmental allergies, including hay-fever and non-lethal food allergies.

Is turmeric safe for dogs?

Generally speaking, we should avoid giving spices to dogs. Turmeric is one rare exception. If proper dosage is followed, turmeric is safe for dogs.

How is turmeric good for dogs?

We’ve talked about the main benefits of turmeric that apply to humans and dogs alike. After looking at several sources, including Healthy Dog Club and Dogs Naturally Magazine, I’ve compiled what I think is a fairly decent list of the benefits turmeric brings to the canine variety (and to us):

• anticarcinogenic
• anti-inflamatory
• antioxidant
• antimicrobial
• antibiotic
• anti-inflamatory
• supports heart health (lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) levels)
• supports liver health and function
• aids in weight management
• helps with stomach issues and digestion
• prevention and control of ear infections
• prevention and control of sinus infections
• eradicates parasites
• prevents cataracts
• supports diabetes
• companion treatment for epilepsy
• provides allergy relief
• can assist with depression
• slowss diarrhea (is a binding agent)
• excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals

WHEW! That’s a whole lotta good, if you ask me!

Dogs Naturally Magazine also reports that “turmeric boosts the liver’s ability to metabolize fat and remove waste from the body,” so it can aid in weight management. Although I have been working my butt off for the last eight months by working out intensely and consistently, I’m sure my use of turmeric supported my efforts at the very least. Through hard work and natural, healthy living, I’ve been able to shed thirty pounds. That’s like three N.A.S.H.A.s! If you have an overweight pooch, this might be another benefit to consider.

How much turmeric should I give my dog?

Turmeric is available in pill and powder form, and the root can also be purchased fresh (best used in cooking). I sprinkle it on my dog’s food, so our favored form is powder. This is the brand of powdered turmeric we prefer. Some people and dogs don’t like the taste of turmeric, so a capsule (pill) may be a better choice. I actually love this turmeric and coconut oil chewable combo for dogs.

When adding it to your dog’s food, it’s best to start gradually, mainly so your pooch can get used to the distinct flavor. What you start with and your ideal amount will depend on the size of your dog. The amount you’ll want to work up to is approximately a quarter teaspoon for every ten pounds of body weight. Start with one-eighth to one-quarter teaspoon and increase in the same increment each day until the ideal amount is achieved, then maintain that amount daily.

For example, my 11-pound dog’s ideal supplement amount would be a one-quarter teaspoon. We started her out on one-eighth teaspoon and it went like this:

Day one: 1/8 tsp.
Day two: 1/4 tsp. Now we’ll maintain that. Our pooch is pretty adaptable to my supplement shenanigans, but if your pooch is more picky, feel free to stay with 1/8 for several days.

If you have an 80-pound dog, it would go like this:

Day one: 1/4 tsp.
Day two: 1/2 tsp.
Day three: 3/4 tsp.
Day four: 1 tsp.
Day five: 1 1/4 tsp.
Day six: 1 1/2 tsp.
Day seven: 1 3/4 tsp.
Day eight: 2 tsp. (Provide daily moving forward)
Full daily amount: 1/4 tsp for every ten pounds of body weight.

Are there any other considerations when using turmeric for dogs?

Eating a quality diet is the key to any holistic health plan. If you are feeding your dog a low-quality kibble, chances are the turmeric won’t be able to compensate for the toxins entering the body. If you feed your dog quality kibble, homemade, raw food, or any combination thereof, the turmeric will be much more effective. The same goes for you (though I’m assuming you’re not eating kibble)!

It’s best to purchase high-quality, organic turmeric in order to avoid pesticides and herbicides and reap the maximum benefit.

Turmeric can stain. It does stain. Be careful of counters, kitchen towels, and the like. If you notice your white doggy has a yellow mustache, turmeric is probably to blame. I’ve been told on a couple of occasions to wipe my turmeric mustache (by friends whom I’ve turned onto the stuff…we look out for each other).

As with any new endeavor, please consult your veterinarian.

Just get started! You and your pet can do it together. And please come back and let me know your results!