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(Last Updated On: )Turmeric is an Asian plant and is part of the ginger family that many people have used for various ailments. Curcumin is the main component in spice and has been used as a medicinal herb for hundreds of years. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticoagulant properties.
People have wondered that if this spice works for their issues, would it also be safe and effective for their beloved dogs. There are those pet owners who feel that turmeric does benefit their pets and will use turmeric in the form of a golden paste for their dogs.
The bright yellow color of golden paste comes from the curcumin in turmeric. You can purchase the paste or make it yourself.
However you choose to add turmeric to your dog’s diet, make sure that you have The Best Dog Bowls 2021 [Elevated, Slow Feed & Stainless]. You will want to have both water and food bowls that clean easily so that they stay bacteria-free.
Turmeric could provide some health benefits for your pet. We have put together a list of seven of those benefits for your dog.
Table of Contents
Number 1. Turmeric Is Anti-Inflammatory
When you think about inflammation, you might automatically think about joint disease. But inflammation has also been linked to arthritis, allergies, kidney, and digestive disease.
Chronic inflammation can stay for weeks or months, and sometimes even years. This low-grade inflammation can be a cause of joint degeneration in dogs.
Turmeric is one of the best natural anti-inflammatories that can help dogs.
Number 2. Turmeric Eases Joint Pain
Just like us humans, our pets can also suffer from arthritis as they get older. If you have arthritis yourself, you know how difficult and painful it can be.
Unfortunately, our dogs cannot verbalize their struggle, but an attentive pet owner will see the unmistakable signs when a dog has stiffness in its gait or struggles to get up from a prone position.
In humans, a study on the Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis has shown that turmeric is as good as ibuprofen for reducing arthritic pain.
Ibuprofen should never be given to dogs, but the good news of this study is that turmeric is an alternative that has little to no side effects. Knowing that turmeric is safe for dogs gives the pet owner an option to help their dogs suffering from joint pain.
Number 3. Turmeric Improves Cardiovascular Health
As was mentioned earlier, turmeric’s main component is curcumin, and this antioxidant helps to keep arteries protected from fatty buildup that can cause problems in the cardiovascular health of dogs.
Turmeric can be a blood thinner that would help with issues like blood clots. These blood-thinning properties can help prevent clots. Both of these issues can be helped by including turmeric golden paste in your pet’s diet.
Number 4. Turmeric Helps With Digestive And Bowel Health
Turmeric can help to keep your dog’s intestines to stay healthy. The curcumin in turmeric can help your dog break down food by stimulating more bile production in the liver.
This can help with the digestion of the fats that are a significant part of a healthy dog’s diet. It will help your dog to be more comfortable after eating.
Inflammation can cause Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), and turmeric golden paste, with its anti-inflammatory properties, can ease this condition in dogs.
Number 5. Turmeric Can Help With Cancer
While there is no way to cure cancer in humans or dogs, there are ways to reduce the effects that cancer can have. There can often be tumors associated with cancer, and these tumors lead to additional health problems.
In this article: The Multifaceted Role of Curcumin in Cancer Prevention and Treatment, it is stated that turmeric, and the curcumin it contains, tends to “suppress initiation, progression, and metastasis of a variety of tumors.”
Although turmeric is not a cure for cancer, it can slow the progression and help keep your beloved dog from suffering some of the complications that tumors can cause.
Number 6. Turmeric Can Possibly Help Promote Healthy Brain Activity In Older Dogs
In the country of India, turmeric is consumed regularly by the general population. And while not every spice or herb that is compatible with humans is also suitable for dogs, turmeric is.
The rates in India of neurodegenerative diseases are very low when compared to western nations. Some think that curcumin reduces inflammation and oxidative damage.
A study done by the National Library of Medicine (NCBI) suggests that Curcuminoids enhance amyloid-beta uptake by macrophages of Alzheimer’s disease patients and are beneficial in clearing amyloid plaques in the brain. This may be good news for Fido, too.
As was mentioned before, curcumin, the compound in turmeric, has antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Your furry friend loves to inspect every muddy puddle and unnamed, unsavory items they come across.
The antibacterial and antifungal properties of turmeric golden paste can help keep your pooch from bringing home an illness from their explorations.
How To Make Golden Paste For Your Dog At Home
Making golden paste for your pet is easy to do. You will need these ingredients:
- ½ cup organic turmeric powder
- ¼ cup of cold-pressed organic coconut oil
- 1 to 1 ½ cups of water.
Put the turmeric powder and the water in a pan and sit on low to medium heat on your stove. Stir until thick paste forms. This will take about 7 to 10 minutes.
Once you have the paste, add the coconut oil. Cool the golden paste and store it in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator. This will last for about two weeks when kept refrigerated.
You can add ½ to one teaspoon of ground black pepper to the golden paste as an option. Black pepper helps the gut to absorb the turmeric.
In Conclusion
Before adding any spice, herb, or even vitamin to your dog’s diet, you should consult with your veterinarian. They know your dog’s medical history and will be able to determine if it will be advantageous for your pet.
Just as we humans, dogs are affected by the things that they eat. If you decide to give this spice to your dog, please consult with your veterinarian before using turmeric or any other spices or herbs with your pet to make sure it will do no harm.
FAQ
Are there any studies done on giving turmeric to dogs?
No, there have been no studies done on the advantage of giving turmeric to dogs. Some pet owners have noticed a positive impact of spice on their pets. Consult with your vet to make sure this is a good proposition for your dog.
How much turmeric should you give your dog?
A rough estimate of the best amount to give to your dog is ¼ teaspoon of turmeric for every 10 pounds that your pet weighs. You can find turmeric for dogs in paste, powder, pill, and tablet form.
Ian is an avid outdoorsman and dog lover. He lives in Central Florida with his wife Heather, and their 2 dogs – Panda (Purebread Rough Collie X English Golden Retriever) & Kuma (Blue Merl Purebread Rough Collie)
