What does turmeric do for dogs? If you know about the fantastic health benefits of turmeric on humans, it is only natural to wonder if it can also do your dog some good.
As a pet parent, you only want the best for your dog, so you may be considering adding turmeric to your pet’s diet. But is turmeric good for dogs?
Read on to find out.
Is Turmeric Good For Dogs?
Can dogs have turmeric? The answer is yes. You can give dogs turmeric in the form of powder, liquid, or chewable tablets.
Do you know? Turmeric is a part of Hindu and Asian Muslim wedding ceremonies?
The active ingredient of turmeric, curcumin, is known to have many medicinal uses.
So what does turmeric do for dogs? Some of its benefits for dogs are listed below:
1. Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is good in response to an infection and releases white blood cells to initiate the healing process. But chronic inflammation that lasts for months is a silent killer. It becomes the cause of major issues like cancer, digestive problems, dental diseases, arthritis, kidney diseases, and allergies.
A 2012 study found that curcumin along with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug had a positive effect on osteoarthritic dogs.
2. Fights Off Cancer
Turmeric exhibits anticancer properties. It prevents precancerous cells from developing into active malignant cells and aids in cell death in cancer cells.
In terms of turmeric benefits for dogs, some studies, like the one published in 2017, demonstrate how turmeric root and rosemary leaf extract help kill off canine neoplastic cell lines.
Turmeric’s anti-cancer activities can go a long way in helping dogs with tumors.
3. Eases Arthritis Pain
While numerous studies exhibit curcumin’s role in human arthritis patients, a 2017 study found that curcumin is also a great pain reliever for dogs with osteoarthritis.
Curcumin also relieves the stiffness that results from arthritis. However, this discovery is not astonishing, as arthritis results from inflammation and curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Helps With Gastrointestinal Disorders
Curcumin has also been found to be effective against allergies, immune disorders, and fever. In a 2022 comparative study, the researchers concluded that turmeric is an anti-allergic agent that alleviates food allergy symptoms by inhibiting IgG1 and IgE levels.
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric also help treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It positively affects gut permeability and inflammation, making it a great candidate for treating IBD.
5. Antioxidant Properties
Of all the benefits of turmeric, its antioxidant properties are the most powerful and promising. Free radicals are linked to cancer, vision loss, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions.
Fruits and vegetables have plenty of antioxidants. Dragon fruit has beta-carotene that can help strengthen your dog’s eyes. Curious if dogs can eat dragon fruit? Can dogs eat dragon fruit skin? Do your research, as dogs cannot eat all fruits and vegetables.
Animal models evaluate turmeric’s antioxidant effects and its heart health-boosting, anti-arthritic, and anti-cancer properties. However, more research needs to be done to confirm the antioxidant effects of turmeric on animals.
So, what does turmeric do for dogs? It helps relieve pain and inflammation and fights off cancer and gastrointestinal disorders.
Is Turmeric Safe For dogs?
Pet parents naturally worry about their dog’s safety, making them ask, is turmeric bad for dogs?
Turmeric is usually safe when given in small quantities. The recommended dose depends on the dog’s weight.
The recommended amount is 15-20 mg of turmeric per pound of body weight. This means around ¼ to ⅛ teaspoon for every 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight.
You must give your dog turmeric regularly and for a considerable amount of time if you want to see results. Because curcumin is quickly metabolized, it leaves the body quickly. It needs to build up in the system to have any noticeable effect.
Both curcumin and turmeric have low bioavailability, especially in the raw form. That means it is not readily absorbed and is excreted. So to reap optimum benefits, you must prepare turmeric in ways that maximize bioavailability.
Side Effects Of Turmeric
While turmeric is mostly safe, it can cause some side effects in a few dogs, especially if given in high doses.
Most side effects result from turmeric’s “warming” properties. So, if your dog seeks cold spots to lie on, the dose of turmeric you are giving it is higher than recommended.
Also, turmeric can interfere with some medication, so if your dog is on treatment, only give turmeric after clarifying with the vet.
Conclusion
Turmeric is a golden spice that has been an age-old remedy since ancient times. However, its benefits for animals have been a comparatively recent topic of research.
Dogs can benefit from turmeric’s anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergy, and antioxidant effects.