Is Turmeric Safe for Dogs?

When it comes to holistic healing, we are often tempted to head to our nearest all-natural store to look for cure-alls. But, you may already have a key ingredient to give your pet a better life right inside of your spice cabinet: Turmeric.

If you’ve ever had a bowl of yellow curry, you’ve consumed turmeric. It’s a spice used for it’s earthy, spicy flavor. Little did you know, you were actually ingesting something therapeutic. 

Turmeric Benefits

According to Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Curcumin has been shown to exhibit the following properties and help with these conditions: 

• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-viral
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Anticancer
• Diabetes
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Alzheimer’s disease

Turmeric Treating Osteoarthritis

As the body digests turmeric root, curcumin (a compound inside the root), enters the bloodstream. Curcumin fights inflammatory effects in the body reducing the effects of osteoarthritis at the cellular level. A study found that ingredients in turmeric, like curcumin, are as effective in treating osteoarthritis as many conventional pharmaceutical medications, and the ingredients in turmeric caused fewer negative side-effects. The benefits of turmeric go beyond just stopping the pain of arthritis. 

Turmeric Curcumin can also slow the progression of arthritis in humans and animals, according to a 2016 study. These benefits extend to dogs, enabling you to give your pet a better life, naturally, right at home.

 

Turmeric and Cancer

When it comes to cancer, curcumin is known to be a natural apoptogen. This means there is reason to believe it naturally kills off cancer cells while keeping the good cells. 

A study published in the Journal of Veterinary and Comparative Oncology discovered and confirmed curcumin’s solid anti-cancer qualities. Researchers found the movement of tumor cells was prevented with the use of Curcumin resulting in stability. Another study, published by BMC Veterinary Research, found curcumin useful in treating a variety of diseases and conditions due to its ability to bind to proteins on a cellular level.

Turmeric and Dementia 

Dogs try to hide their pain and confusion for as long as possible, it’s instinctive. They don’t want to be seen as the ‘weak link’ in the pack. So, it may seem like dementia comes out of nowhere. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is basically like ‘doggy alzheimers.’ 

Turmeric has been found to decrease the risk of developing dementia and/or prevent further mental decline from occurring. Studies show those who incorporate turmeric in their diet are less likely to develop mental decline. 

What Else Can Turmeric Do For Dogs? 

You might know turmeric as the yellow color that gives curry its deep flavor, but turmeric does more than flavor your favorite Indian and Thai dishes.

Turmeric is a root and is part of the ginger family. It has numerous health benefits for dogs and works synergistically with other holistic remedies. According to a study conducted at Baylor University, turmeric has been shown to:

• Slow the progression of arthritis and treat arthritis pain
• Treat gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease, and ulcerative colitis.
• Act as a powerful antioxidant, which can fight “free radicals” in your pet’s blood from toxins, prolonging the pet’s life and slowing degeneration.
• Treat and prevent cancer and tumors.
• Prevent dementia.
• Treat epilepsy and seizures.
• Promote heart health and liver function.
• Relieve allergies.
• Promote positive mental health.

How Do I Give My Dog Turmeric?

Turmeric can be provided in several ways; the organic root, essential oils, or in powder form.

Get To The Root

Angela recommends between 1 tsp to 1 tbsp grated organic turmeric root depending on your dog’s size. Raw, unprocessed root is the most therapeutic form of turmeric. Straight from the Earth’s ground is the best way to go.

Essential Oils 

Essential oils are the next best method to provide the therapeutic properties of turmeric and curcimin. For example, turmeric combined with CBD oil (for example, our EASE tincture) can pack a serious punch in treating joint damage and pain, and the complimentary ingredients in both will work to boost the result.

B-Caryophyllene is a terpene found in both cannabis and  curcumin. It’s known to work as a receptor to reduce chronic pain, nephrotoxicity (toxins in the kidneys), and neuropathy. 

Use the Powder

If your dog isn’t for the organic root or essential oils, you can try providing turmeric in powder form. Once it’s in powder form, you can create golden paste. And, the name says it all. This creation is truly golden (both in color and in use). Simply combine four ingredients: turmeric, black pepper, coconut oil, and water. Then, cook it through the directions below. 

A good starting dose for golden powder is about ¼ teaspoon two to three times per day added to your dog’s food.

*Note: A raw, unprocessed form will have more therapeutic value. 

Can Dogs Overdose on Turmeric?

Are there any side-effects?

You should always check with your holistic vet before adding a supplement into your pet’s diet. 

While turmeric is safe for most dogs, it is a warming spice, meaning that it can cause your pet to warm up. If you have a dog that is always cold, that is great news. But, if your dog is constantly overheating, you may need to let your vet know so that they can help you decide if turmeric is the best option. However, the warm sensation does not usually last long, and usually only happens when you use a large amount of turmeric.

Reducing Inflammation

Though turmeric is known for its warming properties, it is also a great tool for reducing inflammation throughout the body and may have a pro-regulatory effect on temperature nonetheless.

You should also use caution with turmeric if your dog has kidney stones or diabetes. Your dog may also become constipated when you first begin using turmeric, because it acts as a binding agent. You should start your pet on turmeric slowly so that you can gauge their body’s reaction.

All pets are different, and all pets have different reactions and reaction times to new treatments. Make sure to watch your pet closely for the first week or so of using any new supplement, including turmeric.

The Bottom Line

Curcumin has tremendous potential to improve dog health. The ability to kill cancer cells while keeping the good, stop angiogenesis (cancer building its own blood supply), slow the division of cancer cells, and reduce the spread of tumors make it one of the top compounds on the ‘good’ list. 

To recap, not only does curcumin help with cancer, but it’s also been proven to help with other conditions like osteoarthritis, dementia, Alzheimer’s, among others. Combined with CBD, this could result in your dog living a more full, happier, healthier life. That’s why we include turmeric in our EASE tincture of aches and pains, arthritis, and allergies. 

Keep in mind, the best way to utilize turmeric isn’t through the essential oils or golden paste, though. The most therapeutic form is raw, unprocessed, and untouched. No cooking, baking, or heating up of any kind other than from the Earth’s sun. The second best method is via essential oils. The powder method is the final form for dogs who haven’t accepted the first two methods.

To learn more about holistic remedies, visit AngelaArdolino.com. You can also find tips to help your pet live an all-natural life at CBDDogHealth.com.

About Angela Ardolino

Angela Ardolino is a holistic pet expert who has been caring for animals for over 20 years and operates a rescue farm, Fire Flake Farm, in Florida. She is also the owner of  Beautify the Beast,  a natural pet salon and shop. After getting her certificate in Medical Cannabis Biology and Therapeutic use from the University of Vermont School of Medicine, she founded CBD Dog Health to provide high quality, all-natural medical cannabis products designed specifically for pets. Angela has seven dogs, Odie a 12-year-old mini-schnauzer, Nina an 8-year-old Doberman. Jolene a 7-year-old mutt, Maza a 7-year-old mutt, Rhemi an 8-year-old poodle, Potato a 15-year-old shih-tzu, and Miss Daisie a 15-year-old black lab, plus 4-10 more at any time she is fostering or boarding. She uses Full Spectrum Hemp Extract on all her pets at her rescue farm every day, and has since 2016. She is a member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, the Veterinary Cannabis Association and has trained hundreds medical doctors and veterinarians about the therapeutic uses of medical cannabis on animals. Visit www.angelaardolino.com for more information.