Is turmeric good for dogs? I have given turmeric to past dogs, and I take it myself for arthritis. I can attest that it helps me tremendously. But I never did a deep dive until now.
First, what is turmeric exactly? It’s a golden colored spice derived from the turmeric root, a tropical plant native to Asia that is related to ginger. The interest in it as a supplement is its anti-inflammatory properties. The heavy lifting in this equation is done by curcumin, the phytonutrient found in turmeric. There are a whole host of health benefits attributed to turmeric including arthritis relief, skin itching reduction as well as functioning as a digestive aid. A study published in Science Direct gave it a thumbs up for use in dogs: “The results would suggest that curcumin offers a complementary anti-inflammatory support for OA (osteoarthritis) treatment in dogs.”
Indeed, studies do show that curcumin may support healthy joint mobility and comfort. This fact has resulted in some dog food manufacturers including turmeric as an ingredient. However, the limited quantity of such within the kibble formulas are unlikely to be sufficient to provide an adequate anti-inflammatory benefit. Look for supplements for that benefit instead.
Is Turmeric Safe for Dogs?
In general, yes, turmeric is safe for dogs, although anyone can have an adverse reaction to anything so, discuss starting your dog on turmeric with your veterinarian first. This is especially important if your dog is on any other type of medication and/or supplements. Being proactive is always wise.
How Much Turmeric Should I Give My Dog?
In general, the recommended dosing schedule for turmeric is 15 mg–20 mg per pound of body weight, which is about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight. This is the daily dose starting point. All supplements should be started small to gauge digestive system tolerance. From there, if all goes well, you can increase a bit. A large dog could work their way up to a tablespoon per day.
Dr. Doug English, an Australian veterinarian recommends what he calls a “Golden Paste” for dogs. His recipe for his Golden Paste has a strong following. I have always simply used human-grade supplements and broken down the amount in the bottle by the dog’s weight.
Turmeric Is Not Cheap
Turmeric supplements are not inexpensive so a word to the wise, buy the best quality supplement that you can afford and watch for sales. It’s important to note that purchasing the type that already includes black pepper helps to assure maximum absorption of the key ingredients that provide those magical attributes. It is also recommended that you combine the dose with healthy fat, which can easily be done with a meal.
My dogs have always taken their turmeric supplements at a meal, as do I. If you use capsule supplements, you can administer them in the same manner that you administer any pills to your dogs. I have simply buried them in soft foods (I feed a raw diet as well as a cooked diet). Please do be careful, though, because if your dog bites into the capsule but does not consume it, you may be cleaning orange powder off of everything close for some time. Ask me how I know.
So, turmeric for dogs is indeed safe as well as possibly being beneficial. All in all, it’s not a bad idea to give it a go! As always, consult your veterinarian to be certain it won’t interfere with any other medications or supplements your dog is currently taking.
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