Is your pooch suffering from achy and stiff joints? Perhaps you’ve had great success trying turmeric for your own joint issues. And now, you’re looking to try if this potent golden paste can also do wonders for your pet. Should you proceed or think twice about it?
Turmeric is noted for its active ingredient, Curcumin, which contains anti-inflammatory, antifungal, anticancer, and antibacterial properties. It has been touted for its ability to help improve cardiovascular and intestinal health, as well as cancer prevention in humans and possibly in dogs, too.
So, let’s take a look at these benefits of turmeric for dogs and decide for yourself if it’s a “Yay” or “Nay” for your beloved canine.
14. Boosts Cardiovascular Health
As your precious pet gets older or suffers from overweight issues, cardiovascular diseases become more of a risk. Among these conditions are heart failure and blood clots, which are caused by inflammation and cell damage.
The antioxidants in Curcumin help with inflammation in dogs. In particular, the polyphenol in turmeric protects the arteries from fatty buildup that lead to cardiovascular issues with your dog.
13. May Help With Cancer In Dogs
Although cancer in its later stage may be hard to treat, it always makes perfect sense to stop it in its tracks before things get worse. Turmeric contains Curcumin that has been observed to suppress the progression and metastasis of different tumors linked with cancer.
While Turmeric is not a cancer treatment, it can inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. This is why it may be able to prevent your canine from going through severe complications due to these cancerous tumors.
12. Turmeric Offers Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflammation is the root of numerous problems with health including kidney problems, digestive issues, arthritis, allergies, cancer, and so much more. So, if you could put an end to inflammation in your dog’s body, you can also cut off any existing discomfort or pain he is experiencing.
As mentioned earlier, Curcumin is turmeric’s main ingredient noted for its anti-inflammatory properties. This is why if you could make some turmeric golden paste and feed it to your pet in small amounts, it can address these inflammation issues naturally.
11. Improves Brain Function
Seizures, blindness, tremors… These are just some symptoms of neurological diseases in dogs. If you are concerned about dear Fido potentially suffering from a brain disease, it is time to take action.
The Curcumin in turmeric has been linked to a reduced risk of brain illnesses by boosting the brain’s neurotrophic factor. As a bonus, it helps to enhance brain function and keep neurological issues at bay.
10. Fights Off Free Radicals
Everybody ages – including your pooch. But if the aging process seems to be accelerating and causing a quick degeneration of your dog’s body, then something is simply not right.
Rich in antioxidants, turmeric helps neutralize free radicals. Whether these come from pollution, your dog’s food, pesticides or chemicals in the air, turmeric assists with preventing the irreversible effects of cell damage.
9. Relieves Skin Allergies
Allergies are typical with dogs. There are several allergens in the air, as well as in food. Thus, if your pooch is sneezing a lot of suffering from itchy skin, then, it may just help to address it sooner than later.
Turmeric contains antihistamine properties. It is anti-inflammatory and decongestant, which helps to ease itching, sneezing, and all those symptoms linked with allergies.
8. Helps With Joint Pains And Arthritis
It’s painful to see your pet limp and battle with arthritis. So, if you want a natural support for arthritis in dogs, turmeric is a notable product to consider.
The Curcumin compound helps to reduce joint pains without causing adverse side effects. And since turmeric is safe for your dog to consume, it is indeed a viable solution for the pains in their joints.
7. Anti-Fungal Properties
Does your dog suffer from crusty or flaky skin around the skin fold, nails, anal area, or armpits? Or perhaps sweet little Fido itches a lot and intensely? In this case, it could be a sign of fungal infections.
One of the laudable benefits of turmeric is its ability to inhibit fungal growth. Its potent antifungal properties can address these concerns naturally and without nasty side effects.
6. Anti-Bacterial
Bacterial infection in canines is commonly evident in digestive upset, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. They may also experience infection due to bacteria in their ear, mouth, and other parts of the body.
If you prefer a natural approach to kill the bacteria that’s pestering your four-legged pal’s health, then turmeric may be able to help. It is capable of fighting off bacteria, which can help your pooch regain its optimal health.
5. A Natural Steroid Replacement
A number of senior dogs or younger canines inflicted with joint pains and allergies are on steroids. But did you know that the Curcumin in turmeric is just as potent for addressing these conditions as this pharmaceutical product?
With this in mind, turmeric is a natural alternative to corticosteroids. It works just as fine as several OTC and prescription drugs but without the unwanted and adverse side effects.
4. Helps Improve Digestion
Digestion is a complex and tedious process that involves several organs in your body. If any of the organs fail to function properly in digesting food, this can lead to malabsorption of vitamins and minerals.
So, if you want to improve your pup’s digestion, adding in some turmeric golden paste can help. The Curcumin in this spice promotes a more efficient digestion of fats and breaks down food more effectively.
3. Promotes Healthy Intestines
Many dogs struggle with digestive issues linked with poor intestinal health. Thus, Irritable Bowel Disease may strike, which is due to inflammation in the digestive system. With Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory action, this can result in a world of difference for your pooch.
Moreover, turmeric helps to keep your canine’s intestines healthy. It stimulates bile production, allowing an easier breaking down of food they eat.
2. Aids With Depression
There are many factors that contribute to depression in dogs. One of these is chronic inflammation, which is often triggered by oxidative stress.
What turmeric does is its antioxidant properties scavenge these free radicals that generate inflammation. Therefore, these antioxidants fight chronic inflammation, which results in relief of depression symptoms.
1. Supports Liver Health
The liver works day in and day out to filter the nasty stuff out and absorb nutrients from food. It also helps to regulate blood content and remove wastes to keep the body healthy. So, if your canine friend suffers from a weak liver or any dysfunction in this organ, consuming turmeric may help.
Turmeric breaks down fats and eliminates toxins in the body. Thus, it may just be potent enough to restore your pet’s liver function for better health.
Related Questions
How Is Turmeric Best Absorbed? The Curcumin compound in turmeric is not easily absorbed by the body. It requires the aid of other substances to boost absorption such as black pepper and fats. Add a small amount of black pepper to your turmeric golden paste and mix it with dog food for better absorption.
Can Turmeric Be Harmful To Dogs? When given to your dog in small quantities, turmeric should be generally safe. In fact, some dog foods may contain turmeric as this substance helps to enhance the flavor or color of kibbles. However, very small amounts of turmeric do not offer anti-inflammatory benefits to your pooch. But when given in large amounts, turmeric can cause stomach upset to dogs.
Can You Give A Dog Too Much Turmeric? Generally, you should limit the amount of turmeric to your pet. Experts recommend 15 to 20 milligrams of turmeric per one pound of your dog’s body weight. In other words, that would be about ¼ teaspoon per 10 pounds. Anything more than that may not be ideal for your pet’s health.