Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian and this article is not a substitute for veterinary care. Any information found on this site is meant to serve as a starting point for a conversation with your dog’s veterinarian about what options or treatments are appropriate for your dog’s specific needs.
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Inflammation is behind many of the chronic illnesses that plague both humans and pets. One of the best ways to deal with it is through the diet.
Today we’re talking about a superfood that you can easily add to your dog’s meals that might help him stay active as he ages.
This amazing food is the yellow/orange root, turmeric.
What is Turmeric?
Native to Asia, Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family that is often used in Indian cuisine as a flavor or color booster. It has a very distinctive earthy flavor and a rich, dark yellow color.
Turmeric has also been used in pre-packaged human and pet food to enhance either the flavor or the color.
The benefits of turmeric in humans have been studied for years. As it turns out, turmeric has many healing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
In fact, it has even shown potentially positive effects against cancer cells, atopic dermatitis, arthritis, and cognitive dysfunction.
And now science is starting to realize the benefits this spice can have for our pets too.
Can Dogs Have Turmeric?
In short, yes, dogs can have turmeric, although it’s recommended to keep it to small quantities.
In fact, you may even see it listed on the ingredients label of your dog’s food. This is to enhance the flavor of the kibble, not to add any extra anti-inflammatory benefits. The levels of turmeric included in your dog’s food are too low to add any additional anti-inflammatory effects.
Also, note that commercial turmeric capsules and pills are not recommended for animals, as their levels of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, are far too high.
The Benefits of Turmeric for Dogs
It has been shown that turmeric can be linked to improving problems with your pet’s gastrointestinal tract. This is because chronic inflammation can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, causing symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, nausea, vomiting, fever, and other issues.
There is also evidence that turmeric can help support your pet’s liver. The liver helps remove toxins from your pet’s body, as well as absorb nutrients and regulate blood content.
When turmeric is introduced to your pet’s diet, it can help your dog’s liver break down fats and remove waste from their bodies. This is especially true if your dog has a pre-existing liver issue.
Turmeric for Senior Dogs
It’s no secret that large-breed older dogs often suffer from joint pain. Therefore, you might see the added benefits turmeric provides even more clearly in senior dogs.
Specifically, if you’re careful about the dosing, giving turmeric to your older dog can help them in a wide variety of health-related manners.
Turmeric can help fight aging by reducing chronic inflammation, can reduce chronic pain, and even promotes healthy brain activity.
Possible Side Effects of Turmeric in Dogs
If you do decide to use turmeric for the dogs in your household, there are some potential side effects you will need to watch for.
For instance, turmeric for dogs can cause an upset stomach or constipation, especially if your turmeric dose is too high. If you’re considering using turmeric, start at a lower dosage and build up from there.
Turmeric for dogs can also cause kidney stones, especially if your dog is prone to them. Specifically, turmeric tablets can cause an increase in urinary oxalate levels, making kidney stone formation far more likely.
In dogs, turmeric can also cause contractions of the gallbladder, leading to gallbladder stones and bile duct obstruction, especially if your pet is prone to that sort of thing.
You should also be cautious if your dog is on medicine for diabetes, as turmeric can lower blood sugar.
The good news is that these side effects are rare, and are usually the result of giving your pet too much turmeric.
If you do decide to use turmeric for your pet, make sure you follow any dosage instructions carefully.
Golden Paste and Other Easy Recipes
Created by Dr. Dough English, an Australian veterinarian, Golden Paste is a product that allows you to incorporate turmeric into your pet’s diet.
Generally, you’ll want to start your pet off with a 1/4 teaspoon dose, added to their food 2 to 3 times daily. The product also lasts for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator, so if you think you have more than two week’s worth of product you can freeze a portion.
If you’re wondering about the golden paste benefits, they’re pretty much the same as described above: anti-inflammatory properties that can aid in a wide variety of joint or chronic pain issues.
If your dog isn’t interested in the plates, turmeric can also be given to your pet through turmeric gravy, or turmeric oil. Both of these can be made or purchased at a local holistic food store, such as Whole Foods or Trader Joes.
Golden Paste Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup turmeric powder organic
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 1/4 cup coconut oil organic
- 1 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Mix the water with the turmeric on medium/low heat for 7 to 10 minutes. Continually stir throughout the entire time to break down clumps and create a smooth, thick mixture.
- Once thick, turn off the heat. Stir in the coconut oil and black pepper. Mix until thoroughly incorporated.
- Allow to cool slightly and pour into a heat-proof, glass canning jar. Seal and store in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
- For long-term freezer storage, pour into paw molds and serve with meals.
Turmeric Gravy Recipe
Put a teaspoon (or smaller) of turmeric powder in a heat-safe cup (like a measuring cup), add boiling water until the cup is 1/3 full and then let it cool for a few minutes.
Add about 1/8 tsp of freshly cracked pepper and about a teaspoon of any healthy oil (such as coconut, olive or linseed).
This will make roughly one-half cup of ‘gravy,’ more than enough for one day’s use.
Add some of the mix as a gravy to your dog’s food bowl and let it soak in.
Peanut Butter Turmeric Coconut Oil Dog Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- Melt coconut oil so that it is liquid
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and stir until smooth
- Pour into silicone molds and freeze for approximately 15-20 minutes
- Store in the freezer as they will soften quickly when left at room temperature
If you don’t have molds (I don’t), you can also use a small ice cube tray. This is a good recipe if your dog isn’t too sure about the taste of turmeric because the PB helps mask it.
Want even more turmeric recipes? Check out our Healthy Treats board on Pinterest!
In Conclusion
While more research does still need to be done to quantify the health benefits of turmeric, in moderate amounts it is likely safe for both humans and pets.
As long as you start with a low dosage and work your way up, there is a possibility you can improve your pet’s quality of life by decreasing inflammation and the conditions that come from it.
I highly recommend looking into it, especially if your dog is suffering from any of the health issues mentioned above.
In fact, if you decide to include turmeric in your dog’s diet, it may just help them live a longer, happier, and healthier life.
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Good luck!