Turmeric is an essential ingredient in the herbal food and medicine industry and is used in Indian and South Asian cuisines, but is turmeric good for dogs?
It has been researched to determine whether turmeric is good for dogs, and we see some benefits that have promising results for turmeric powder in your pet’s health.
As a pet parent, you should add turmeric supplements with other essential supplements they require to their diet. Of course, vet consultation is important. That brings us to the same question: is turmeric good for dogs?
1. Is Turmeric Good For Dogs?
Consulting a vet before giving turmeric extracts or supplements to your pets is very important. When you get the vet’s approval, you should keep the quantity in control. Typically used in small quantities, dog food is often too small to provide anti-inflammatory benefits, which we can find in turmeric.
Turmeric is safe for dogs if consumed in small doses. Health benefits of turmeric for dogs’ health: it has antifungal, wound healing, and anticancer properties.
Turmeric benefits dogs with its many therapeutic and clinical uses; adding turmeric to their diet can help relieve symptoms like diarrhea.
But consuming too much turmeric at once can cause digestion problems, and as a pet parents should add turmeric to their dog’s food in limited quantities.
So, yes: turmeric is beneficial for a dog’s health if you give it in the right amount which is a maximum of a quarter teaspoon for every ten pounds of your dog’s body weight.
2. Why Is Turmeric Special?
Turmeric is a plant-based ingredient, as its lineage is rooted in Ayurveda, Siddha medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, Unani, and the animistic rituals of Austronesian peoples, which has health benefits and makes your food look and taste good.
Also, considering the benefits of turmeric, it could be as beneficial to your dog’s health as it is to yours. As we know, turmeric is an Asian plant in the ginger family. It is consumed in the form of powder derived from this plant and is an active ingredient frequently used in various Asian cuisines and curries.
3. Benefits of Turmeric For Dogs
If you want to improve your dog’s diet, you can feed them turmeric; of course, consult your vet before doing so. These are the benefits of feeding your dog turmeric.
3.1. Turmeric’s Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflammation is the root of nearly all diseases in the canine. Many of us think that inflammatory bowel disease is only associated with joint pain or inflammatory bowel disease but, it is also a root cause of allergies, kidney disease, dental disease, and digestive diseases.
A simple solution would be adding turmeric to their diet, which would help reduce symptoms like diarrhea and skin allergies and would also help inhibit the growth of other problems.
3.2. Turmeric Helps Fight Cancer Cells.
Antioxidants in turmeric inhibit the growth of tumors and kill cancer cells. It also prevents blood clots and heart disease. Consuming turmeric helps the body fight chronic inflammation, preventing other serious joint-related problems.
A potential benefit of turmeric in pets is a cancer treatment, an effective way to prevent the growth of cancer cells.
3.3. Turmeric Fights Arthritis in Dogs
Arthritis is common in the canines and chronic inflammation causes a lot of discomfort and joint pain in senior dogs.
So, veterinarians give arthritis drugs to dogs for pain relief. And adding turmeric to their diet to reduce joint pain might help them.
4. Side Effects Of Turmeric On Dogs
Consuming turmeric helps strengthen the dog’s immune systems to treat many illnesses. But dog owners should consider the potential side effects of turmeric ingestion.
If your dog needs an anti-inflammatory agent but they are allergic to turmeric, then anti-inflammatory drugs can be a substitute. Also, always consult your vet before giving anti-inflammatory drugs to your pet, as anti-coagulating properties can be harmful to some dogs.
Since turmeric contains anti-coagulating and anti-inflammatory properties, you may see some major or minor side effects. You should keep watch and keep in touch with your vet for stressful situations.
If your dog is on blood-thinning medication, avoid adding turmeric paste to their diet, as it can cause serious damage.
Turmeric sometimes does not go well with some preventative medicine. This must be considered before adding turmeric supplements to a pet’s diet.
5. What Are The Different Types Of Turmeric For Dogs?
Various turmeric supplements are available to add to your pet’s diet.
As a pet owner, you can find turmeric for dogs, from regular powder to delicious treats. Here are some of the most popular types of turmeric for dogs that you can pick depending on your pet’s health:
5.1. Turmeric Powder:
This form of turmeric powder is available in every Asian household.
It is made from dried ground turmeric root, turned into a fine powder. That gives it an orange color, and it can be ground pepper worked into a golden paste, which you can use in your pet food.
5.2. Turmeric Extract:
This extract comes from turmeric root and is not heat-processed like the powder form of turmeric. But you can add coconut or olive oil to create a thick paste to apply the mixture to your dog’s skin to treat allergies or irritation.
5.3. Turmeric Liquid:
Similarly, liquid turmeric for dogs can be put into orange juice, tea, or any beverage they like; it can be mixed with water and other liquids as a substitute for turmeric powder.
5.4. Turmeric Capsules:
Turmeric capsules are made from dried ground turmeric root, contain the same active ingredients as turmeric powder and liquid forms, and can be given as a turmeric supplement.
5.5. Turmeric Chews:
If your pet is okay with chewing medicines, you can add turmeric chews to their diet as this chewable tablet contains turmeric extract, ginger extracts, and other ingredients.
6. What Happens If Your Dog Ingests Too Much Turmeric?
Although turmeric is considered safe and has many health benefits when introduced to your dog’s diet, you should always give it in small quantities. If they consume a disproportionate amount of turmeric, it could upset your dog’s digestive system.
7. Ways You Can Give Your Dog Turmeric
There are many ways you can add turmeric to your pet or dog’s diet. Here are some convenient ways you could try introducing turmeric to your pet.
7.1. Add Turmeric Powder To The Dog Food
Combine turmeric powder in your dog’s food, especially the food they like the most. Add turmeric subtly so they can enjoy their meal.
7.2. Apply Turmeric Paste To Irritated Skin
Applying a turmeric paste to irritated skin calms itchiness and inflammation associated with skin allergies. It will not only calm their irritation, but it is also safer if they lick that instead of their chemical-heavy allergy medicines.
7.3. Make Turmeric Treats
You can make homemade turmeric dog treats instead of purchasing turmeric for dogs. It can be given as a supplement for your dog.
7.4. Buy Organic Turmeric
If you are not okay with products with many chemicals, you can buy organic turmeric, as it is available in any Asian grocery store. It is cheap and very effective. Organic turmeric is effective in supporting healthy immune systems.
7.5. Turmeric As Substitute For Pain Meds
Turmeric is a preventive therapy that promotes good health, prevents illness, and eliminates pain. You can give them as a substitute for the joint pain meds, and for their ease, you can combine them with oil and apply it to the area where it hurts.
7.6. Use Turmeric As Anti-Coagulating Agent
Turmeric also contains anti-coagulating properties that help prevent cancer, blood clots, and heart disease. To give it to your dog, you can make a golden paste that your dog can eat, as it is less bitter in flavor and easy to chew and digest.
Also, you can make enough golden paste for a day and apply it as cream or feed them from time to time during the day as it won’t go bad, and it is good for their joint health.
8. Conclusion
Is Turmeric good for dogs? Ultimately, it depends upon your dog’s diet, weight, and medical history. Turmeric is a very useful member of the ginger family and could play an essential role in a dog’s diet. The proper usage can help you reduce inflammatory bowel disease and chronic inflammation.
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties come from natural sources and are considered safer than processed and highly chemical-based medicines.
Scientific research into turmeric for dogs says that giving dogs the right amount of turmeric can help your dog be healthier and manage the dog’s weight.
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