Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory that is safe and beneficial to dogs. In the correct dosage, your pup can reap the same health benefits of turmeric as humans, especially for joint health in dogs.

Asian cultures have long used turmeric as a culinary and medicinal spice. Turmeric is healthy for dogs in large part due to its active ingredient, curcumin. Curcumin has potent medicinal properties long enjoyed by humans, and now, dogs. 

Turmeric Health Benefits for Dogs

Anti-inflammatory -One of the benefits of turmeric to dogs is its anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is good for relieving acute inflammation caused by bacteria, viruses, and joint issues in dogs. Using turmeric can also help reduce chronic inflammation to help make your dog more comfortable, especially if the dog has age-related arthritis. 

Antioxidant - Turmeric has antioxidant properties, and some studies suggest that turmeric inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Some research indicates that curcumin may stop the growth and spread of cancerous cells and can potentially make chemotherapy more effective.

Pain-reliever -Turmeric can reduce joint pain and reduce stiffness in limbs. These effects are similar to those of some medications but without any adverse effects on your dog's gut.

Good for your dog’s digestive health- Turmeric promotes good gut health in dogs and can help treat gastrointestinal complications caused by diseases like Inflammatory Bowel Disease. 

Pet food companies sometimes use turmeric powder as a natural food coloring. While this makes pet food visually appealing, the quantity used is not adequate for your pup to reap the full benefits of curcumin. 

This begs the question,

How much turmeric should dogs have?

Supplementing your dog's diet with turmeric can be hard, especially if you do not know how much curcumin your dog needs and what amount of turmeric is safe for dogs. For optimal and safe dosing, it’s best to give turmeric powder to your dog according to their body weight. 

Turmeric dosage for dogs

• For small dogs, supplement with ¼ tsp of turmeric a day
• For mid-sized dogs, ½ a tsp of turmeric a day is enough
• Large dogs would benefit from ¾ tsp of turmeric a day
• Giant breeds can enjoy a teaspoon of turmeric a day

Following these dosage guidelines can ensure your dog gets the full benefits over time of adding turmeric. However, consult your veterinarian first before introducing any new supplements to your dog’s diet and to confirm the optimal recommended dosage for your dog.

Ways to give your dog turmeric

Pure curcumin in turmeric does not have an optimal absorption rate. Some holistic vets recommend mixing turmeric with very small amounts of black pepper (because larger amounts will potentially irritate their stomach lining and cause upset stomachs) or with healthy fats, like Omega-3s, to increase the spice's absorption rate.

This results in a turmeric paste that is safe for your pup, although some dogs will be picky about the earthy taste. A good workaround is adding the golden paste to your dog’s favorite meals or choosing a high quality turmeric supplement for dogs.

The best turmeric dog supplements and treats are rich in curcumin and other organic ingredients that are healthy for your dog. When buying supplements for dogs with turmeric, check the label for healthy complementary ingredients like magnesium, apple cider vinegar, l-theanine, ashwagandha, and ginger.

What does all this mean?

Turmeric is safe and beneficial for dogs as long as it's administered correctly. Discuss with your dog’s vet before supplementing with turmeric to confirm that there are no contraindications based on your dog’s unique medical history. 

Also, be sure your dog is getting the right dose based on pounds of body weight.

An easy way to do this is by choosing nutritious functional treats or supplement chews for dogs such as Puppington's Pup Snax™ Daily All-in-One that are made with turmeric.  These will be nutritious, delicious, and already formulated for easy dosing!