Turmeric needs to be in your dog’s diet! It’s one of those super herbs that can help with a wide range of issues, from joint health to cancer prevention and much more. So what is turmeric and how is it so powerful? Turmeric is a yellow spice that has been used for thousands of years as a food spice and a medicinal herb. The secret to turmeric and the reason it is so powerful is that it contains a bioactive compound called curcumin. It doesn’t stop there though, one more ingredient is needed to make turmeric a super herb. Turmeric by itself struggles with being absorbed into the body which is why black pepper is needed. Black pepper is said to increase the absorption process by 2000%. Now that we know what turmeric is and why it’s so powerful, let's talk about its’ benefits.

It’s a Natural and Effective Anti-Inflammatory

One of turmeric’s most beneficial properties is being an anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is a huge issue for dogs and is the root cause of so many diseases. Here is a short list of those diseases: arthritis, cancer, kidney disease, digestive disease, allergies, and dental disease. Dogs with arthritis can benefit greatly from turmeric, not only does it help with decreasing inflammation but it also helps with the pain and stiffness that goes with it. There was a 2014 study that compared curcumin to ibuprofen, the study concluded that curcumin worked just as well but without the gastrointestinal side effects that the ibuprofen patients experienced.

Helps Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders

Turmeric acts as a natural detox and anti-inflammatory, helping to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) as well as other stomach issues. It’s very common for dogs to have digestion and gut issues, so incorporating turmeric in your dog’s diet will only be beneficial to them.

Promotes Heart and Liver Health

Helping the heart, turmeric has been proven to help with blood circulation and aiding against bad fats such as cholesterol. It also reduces blood clots that can lead to strokes and heart attacks by thinning the blood. Turmeric also acts as a natural antibacterial and detox agent helping to defend the liver from toxins.

Prevents and Cures Cancer

Cancer has become a very common disease and a killer among dogs, over 50% of dogs will develop cancer. The exact cure for cancer is still not known, but there are medical treatments and natural herbs that can help. Turmeric is one of those herbs, it has been studied and proven to fight and prevent cancer. All cancer is different but the root cause is always chronic inflammation combined with cancer cell growth and tumors spreading. Turmeric anti-inflammatory properties help to decrease the inflammation while the antioxidants help stop the growth of new cells and from the tumors spreading.

It Can Replace Steroids

There have been studies revealing that curcumin can be just as effective as some steroids but without the harmful side effects. Allergies and arthritis pain is very common among dogs and prescribed medication goes along with those ailments. Turmeric can be a great alternative to these medications. If you don’t feel comfortable with stopping the medication completely, you can still give your dog turmeric and help reduce the side effects of them.

How To Incorporate Turmeric

Turmeric can be incorporated in your dog’s diet in numerous ways. Here are some great recipes by Australian Veterinarian Dr. Doug English.

GOLDEN PASTE

1. Mix ½ cup of organic turmeric powder with 1-½ cups of filtered water in a pan
2. Stir the liquid combination on low/medium heat until it forms a thick paste (approximately 7-10 minutes)
3. If the paste is watery, simply add more turmeric powder
4. Next, add 1 ½ teaspoons of freshly ground pepper and ¼ cup organic coconut oil to the paste and stir in very well
5. Allow the paste to cool. The mixture can be put in a jar (one with a lid) and should live in the refrigerator for no more than 2 weeks

Pet parents can add the golden paste directly into their dog's meals. Here's the recommended guideline for dosages:

• Small dogs - start with about 1/4 teaspoon per day
• Medium dogs - start with 1/2 teaspoon per day
• Large dogs - start with 3/4 teaspoon per day
• Giant dogs - start with 1 teaspoon per day

TURMERIC GRAVY

1. Place 1 teaspoon of organic turmeric powder into a cup
2. Next, add boiled water to the cup until it is approximately 1/3 full
3. Then, add approximately 16 grinds of black pepper and a dessert spoonful of olive oil
4. Add the gravy mixture to your pup's food and let it soak in
5. Enjoy!

TURMERIC OIL

1. First, start off with 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder and place it in a cup
2. Next, add oil! We recommend coconut oil or olive oil (approximately 2-5 ml)
3. Then, add 6-8 grinds of ground black pepper
4. Mix the oil concoction together and add on top of your dog's food

Dosage and Purchasing

For proper dosage start with ⅛  to ¼ tsp per day for every 10lbs in weight. Depending on your dog’s reaction you can increase or decrease the dosage. When purchasing turmeric you always want to make sure to buy organic and one that contains 95% curcuminoids, lastly make sure to buy one with black pepper already incorporated so you don’t have to go through the hassle of mixing it yourself.  A good brand is Feel Good Organic Superfoods. Purchase it here from Amazon.