Turmeric For Dogs: 5 Health Benefits You Didn’t Know

What if I told you a little spice could make a huge difference in your dog’s health and even his lifespan? Turmeric for dogs is that spice, and it may even be sitting in your kitchen cupboard right now …

I know it sounds crazy, but research shows it’s true … there are over 6,000 studies showing the health benefits of turmeric for dogs and people.

Research shows turmeric and its anti inflammatory properties can trump a lot of expensive drugs including:

• Arthritis drugs
• Steroids
• Chemotherapy
• Inflammatory bowel disease drugs
• Anti-inflammatory drugs

These are a whole lot of reasons to give your dog turmeric! So let’s take a closer look at this handy little spice. And I’ll show you how much to give and which dogs shouldn’t get turmeric in a bit.

Is Turmeric Good For Dogs?

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin – which is essentially its active ingredient. Curcumin for dogs has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, wound healing and anticancer activities. It can help fight diseases like arthritis, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, gastrointestinal issues and more.

One study even called it “Cure-cumin” because of its long list of promising therapeutic and clinical uses. Here are the major turmeric benefits for dogs … and how it compares to conventional drugs:

#1 – Turmeric Is Anti-Inflammatory

You may be thinking inflammation is only a problem for dogs with joint disease … but chronic, hidden inflammation is a silent killer. It’s the root of nearly all disease.

Cancer, arthritis, allergies, kidney disease, dental disease, digestive disease … are all caused by inflammation. Not all inflammation in the body is a bad thing.

If your dog is exposed to viruses or bacteria, acute inflammation will release white blood cells to the body tissues and start the healing process.

But chronic inflammation … the kind of low-grade inflammation that stays for weeks, months and even years … is the true cause of most degenerative and inflammatory health issues in your dog.

Researchers recently found that heart disease can be linked to dental disease. Chronic bladder infections can lead to bladder cancer. 

And they’re finding that chronic low-grade inflammation is a major driver of arthritis and joint degeneration. A 2014 study found that the curcumin found in turmeric (its active ingredient) outperformed ibuprofen in people with arthritis.

But turmeric doesn’t just control the inflammation in joint disease. Another 2004 study in Oncogene found that curcumin (as well as resveratrol) worked just as well as anti-inflammatory drugs. And turmeric worked better than popular pain relief drugs aspirin and ibuprofen.

Inflammation is the key driver of most diseases in the body … And turmeric is one of the best natural anti-inflammatories either nature or medicine has to offer.

Keep these joint health benefits in mind as we look at the next few reasons to give your dog turmeric …

#2 – Turmeric Helps Fight Cancer

So we know that chronic inflammation can lead to cancer … and we know turmeric is a powerful antioxidant. 

A UK study showed that curcumin could stop the precancerous changes from becoming cancer. So turmeric can help prevent cancer … And turmeric can also treat cancer naturally. 

Nearly 1/3 of the studies done on turmeric are cancer research … and the results are very promising. Turmeric has been shown to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing.

The National Cancer Institute claims, “Extensive research over the past two decades suggests that curcuminoids, the active ingredient in turmeric (C. longa), interfere with multiple cell signaling pathways, providing support for the potential role of curcumin in modulating cancer development and progression.“

Half of adult dogs today will get cancer … so turmeric could be a great way to protect your dog from cancer and the inflammation that causes it.

#3 – Turmeric For Arthritis In Dogs

We know that arthritis is the result of inflammation … and turmeric can decrease inflammation in the body.

Turmeric can also relieve the pain and stiffness in arthritis … better than conventional conventional pain medications.

In 2014 a group of researchers in Thailand published a study comparing the effects of curcumin vs ibuprofen treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis.  They found that curcumin worked just as well as ibuprofen to reduce pain …

But without the gastrointestinal side effects experienced by the patients who took ibuprofen.

Which brings us to the next benefit …

#4 – Turmeric Can Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders

Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory effects can be helpful in treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) as well as other gastrointestinal disorders. 

It’s been shown in several preclinical studies and uncontrolled clinical trials as having positive effects on gut inflammation and gut permeability.

Researchers at Hamamatsu South Hospital in Japan commented that curcumin’s “inhibitory effects on major inflammatory mechanisms  […] and its unrivaled safety profile suggest it has bright prospects in the treatment of IBD.”

#5 – Turmeric Can Replace Steroids

Many dogs are on steroids for allergies and joint pain – but some studies show curcumin is just as effective as steroids. The authors note: “The lack of side effects with curcumin is its greatest advantage compared with corticosteroids.”

Another study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology shows that combining curcumin with a steroid reduced the side effects of this dangerous medication.

And that’s the main benefit of turmeric … not only can it work just as well as many prescription and over-the-counter drugs, it doesn’t carry the same nasty, unwanted side effects.

How Much Turmeric For Dogs?

Another turmeric benefit is that it’s easy to add to pet foods and dog food. But how much turmeric should you feed?

The recommended dose of turmeric for dogs is 15mg–20mg per pound of body weight per day, or more simply put, 1/8 to 1/4 tsp per day for every 10 pounds of body weight.

This is a rough starting point, but you can increase the amount from there, up to about a Tbsp for larger dogs. But you’ll want to give turmeric powder in smaller amounts a few times a day because curcumin leaves the body quickly.

And you’ll want to be careful when you’re working with turmeric … Its bright yellow color can stain your hands, countertops and your dog!

Turmeric is also binding and can cause constipation, so add some water or kefir to his meals when you add turmeric to your pet’s diet.

Potential Turmeric Side Effects

The best thing about turmeric is that it works and it’s safe. But not all dogs should get turmeric. 

Turmeric is a “warming” spice, so if your dog is always hot and seeking out cool floors to lie on, turmeric may not be for him.

Turmeric can interact with some medications, including anti-inflammatory and diabetes drugs. And it may interfere with some chemotherapy treatments. So if your dog is on any medications, check with your holistic vet before adding turmeric to his diet.

Chances are, it will only help but it’s always best to check. Turmeric is also contraindicated for patients with bile tract obstruction or gallstones.

Bonus: Turmeric Is A Powerful Antioxidant

So there are a whole lot of reasons to start giving your dog turmeric. But I haven’t mentioned the best one yet …

Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and antioxidants can slow down aging, degeneration and even increase lifespan. Oxidative stress builds up in your dog over time, just like rust. It causes damage to the cells, proteins and DNA in your dog’s body. 

A 2015 study discussed how oxidative stress activates inflammatory pathways and leads to chronic diseases, including cancer. The research suggests that “curcumin can play a key role in the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammation diseases.”

So there are 6 very compelling reasons to add turmeric to your dog’s diet. Move over variety … turmeric is the new spice of life!

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