Why You Should Give Turmeric to Your Dog

By now, you have probably heard people talk about how good turmeric is for you or read an article about it in a health magazine. Turmeric has become very popular, to the point where you can now buy it in supplement form. But what you may not realize is that it’s great for dogs too! It can really help your dog in ways you won’t believe!

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a spice – found in a lot of curry dishes – that contains something called curcumin. Curcumin is a powerhouse! There are over 6,000 studies on the benefits of turmeric.

Just look at some of these benefits:

· Anti-inflammatory

· Antibacterial

· Antioxidant

· Antiviral

· Antifungal

· Cancer fighting

For your dog, turmeric can help:

· Treat and prevent cancer or tumors

· Relieve arthritis or joint pain

· Support heart health

· Support liver function

· Help treat gastrointestinal disorders

· Allergy relief

· Pain relief

· Weight management

· Reduces blood clots

· Helps prevent cataracts

· Treats diarrhea

And this is just a partial list! One study from the U.K. determined that the curcumin in turmeric stopped precancerous lesions from becoming cancerous. Other studies say it works better at pain and inflammation management than ibuprofen.

Turmeric really is an incredible spice! And being so inexpensive, as spices go, it’s an easy one to add to your dog’s diet.

How To Feed Turmeric to Your Dog

First, consult your vet. When dealing with the health of your dog, you always want to make sure you are doing the right thing. Even natural supplements can interfere with each other, causing absorption issues. For example, curcumin may reduce iron absorption in foods, so that is something to be aware if you have a dog with iron level issues.

Next, there are several forms of turmeric. You can feed your dog powder, a supplement pill, or create a paste by mixing it with water (100ml of water to 25g of turmeric) and a bit of coconut oil, around 15grams. The form you use will probably depend most on your dog and how he will eat it. If one form doesn’t work try another. If you choose to go the pill route, be sure you check the other ingredients to make sure they are all safe for your dog.

If you already take turmeric, you may know that black pepper increases the amount of curcumin that enters circulation. HOWEVER, black pepper can cause issues in dogs, such as respiratory problems, hemorrhoids and upset stomach, so it’s best not to feed your dog black pepper. There are recipes online for “turmeric paste” to feed your dog, and many of them include quite a bit of black pepper. If your vet feels you need to add black pepper to increase the effects of the turmeric, do so sparingly. And watch your dog for signs that it’s bothering him.

Next, dosage. It’s always good to ask your vet how much turmeric is okay for your dog. Turmeric doesn’t have a lot of side effects, and is pretty safe in high-quantities, but you still want to be careful. And remember to start with a small dosage and build up, so your dog can get used to it.

Turmeric is a natural way to keep your dog healthy, so talk to your vet and give it a try!