Ultimate Guide to Turmeric for Dogs: Safety, Benefits, Side Effects

Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is a natural spice and dietary supplement that promotes relief for various conditions, including arthritis, digestive disorders, respiratory infections, allergies, liver diseases, and more. 

Centuries ago, ancient Indian and Chinese communities used turmeric as a remedy in their traditional medicinal practices. Today, however, turmeric is making its way as one of the healthcare industry’s hottest trends. Turmeric for dogs is all the new rage, improving their health and happiness.

Can Dogs Have Turmeric?

In short, yes. You can give your dog turmeric. However, turmeric is safe for dogs only in small and controlled quantities. Any substance, for that matter, in excess amounts, will result in adverse effects. 

Dog owners need to be vigilant about how much turmeric they give their pets. Albeit, it would likely take large doses of turmeric to produce harmful or life-threatening side effects. Just as turmeric provides people natural health benefits, animals can also experience some of the therapeutic effects.

Is Turmeric Safe for Dogs?

In general, turmeric is safe for dogs in small quantities. You may even notice turmeric listed as an ingredient on your dog’s food label. The best thing about turmeric is that it works, and it’s safe. That said, some dogs may have a sensitive reaction to the spice – after all, it is a spice. 

If your dog is always running hot and tends to hunt for cold surfaces to lay on, turmeric may not be a wise option. Turmeric is a heat-generating spice, meaning the herb can increase your body temperature. 

Lastly, take note of the different types of prescription medications your dog is taking, if any. As dogs age, veterinarians may give them anti-inflammatory, diabetes, or cancer medication; however, these are a few medications turmeric can adversely interact with and provide adverse side effects. To be extra careful, check in with your local holistic vet before incorporating turmeric into your dog’s eating schedule. 

Is Turmeric Good for Dogs?

Today, individuals are consuming turmeric for the same reasons they did centuries ago. Yet now, they’re recognizing the perks of giving the spice to their furry friends for the same therapeutic benefits! Below you will find some of the top surprising health benefits of turmeric for your dogs. 

Turmeric: An Anti-Inflammatory

While not all inflammation in the body is damaging, inflammation will eventually lead to many illnesses: cancer, arthritis, allergies, kidney disease, dental disease, digestive disease, and more. 

With that, experts believe turmeric is known for providing substantial anti-inflammatory results. Short-term inflammation from, say, a bacterial infection will release white blood cells to begin the healing process. In contrast, chronic and low-grade inflammation poses dangerous long-term results on your dog’s system. Long-term inflammation can last for weeks, months, and even years and is often the leading cause of most degenerative diseases. 

Two studies, dating back from 2004 and 2014, found that curcumin (turmeric’s active ingredient) not only outperforms ibuprofen in people with arthritis, but it even works better than both aspirin and ibuprofen. Moreover, turmeric is an excellent natural supplement and one of the best anti-inflammatories – which people tend to forget.

Skin Allergies

Skin allergies, called allergic dermatitis, are the most common type of allergic reactions in dogs. There are three primary causes of skin allergies in dogs, including flea allergy dermatitis, food allergies, and environmental allergens. Although different things cause allergic reactions, allergic reactions all have one thing in common: itchiness. 

Applying a turmeric ointment onto the affected area can ease itching due to the anti-inflammatory properties, as long as it doesn’t encourage the dog to lick it more frequently. 

Cancer

According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the curcuminoids found within turmeric can interfere with tumor growth and kill cancer cells. 

Like their owner counterparts, dogs are also at risk of developing cancer as they get older – 50% of dogs over 10 develop cancer. 

Heart Health

A 2012 study proves curcumin, an element within turmeric, possesses anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties. Anticoagulant is a blood-thinning feature, essentially decreasing the number of blood clots in the heart. 

Feeding your dog turmeric is a great way to efficiently and effectively improve the health of your dog’s cardiovascular system!

What Does Turmeric Do for Dogs?

Overall, turmeric is a therapeutic spice that can improve your dog’s lifespan by tending to several individual health ailments, from inflammation to allergic reactions to stiffness to heart health. Turmeric is a great natural alternative to some anti-inflammatory medications veterinarians prescribe and has been seen to work even better! 

How Do I Give Turmeric to My Dog?

In general, turmeric is a therapeutic spice that can improve your dog’s lifespan by treating several individual health ailments, from inflammation to allergic reactions. Spice up your dog’s health by introducing a controlled quantity of turmeric into the pet’s daily diet. Sprinkle some turmeric spice on top of dog kibble, massage a remedial tincture into a sensitive area of skin, or pour a couple of drops on to your dog’s dinner to deliver the many powerful benefits.

How Much Turmeric Can I Give My Dog?

So, how much turmeric can you give your dog? Experts often recommend 15 to 20 mg per pound of body weight as a general rule of thumb. 

Depending on how big or small your dog is, here are the advised dosage recommendations for each size accordingly: 

• Smaller sized dogs should start around 1/4 teaspoon per day
• Medium-sized dogs can start with 1/2 teaspoon per day
• Larger sized dogs can start with 3/4 teaspoon per day
• Giant-sized dogs can start with one teaspoon per day

Are There Any Side Effects of Turmeric for Dogs?

Even though turmeric is a natural, entheogenic ingredient, some possible side effects may occur. If someone, or a pet, consumes too much turmeric, some adverse reactions will include an upset stomach and dizziness. Other side effects include worsening gallbladder problems, increased occurrence of bruising, and decreased blood sugar levels. 

To avoid these negative side effects, do not overfeed your dog turmeric supplements, as overconsumption leads to reversed effectiveness. 

Can You Give Dogs Turmeric for Arthritis?

Yes. Dog health professionals highly recommend giving your dog turmeric for arthritis. As dogs age, their limbs become more fragile, weak, and stiff – as a direct result of arthritis. To combat these signs of aging, include turmeric in your dog’s feeding schedule.