Can Dogs Eat Turmeric Powder? Answer & Uses

Now that we know that dogs can eat turmeric and the amount of each of the components it contains, we will review its most outstanding benefits both to treat and to prevent health problems in dogs.

Digestive benefits

Turmeric is considered one of the most effective carminative plants and therefore has powerful digestive properties that favor the intestinal transit of dogs, stimulates the creation of gastric juice and helps to relieve stomach problems. It also benefits the gallbladder by promoting biliary flow and acts as a liver protector. And to make things even better, the digestive properties of turmeric do not end here, as this spice increases the production of probiotics, which in turn means that there will be an improvement of the dog's intestinal flora.

Anti-cancer properties

Although research on the anticancer properties of turmeric is still underway, several studies^[1] such as one conducted by the American Association for Cancer Research, Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Study of Oral Curcumin Extract in Patients with Colorectal Cancer^[2], or the one conducted by the Center Amala Cancer Research, Potential anticancer activity of turmeric, have observed that this plant has the ability to improve the clinical status of patients with certain types of cancer. However, as we have commented, the results obtained are still not considered conclusive and, therefore, we can not confirm that turmeric has the capacity to prevent the development of cancer or to treat it 100%, only to improve the patient's condition.

The different studies performed so far determine that the effectiveness of turmeric is increased in patients with colon cancer and stomach cancer, but also positive results have been found in patients with lung cancer, pancreas and liver cancer, among others. These anticancer properties are also reflected in dogs and therefore can help reduce the chances of developing tumors or alleviate cancer symptoms in dogs.

Antioxidant Properties

The richness in minerals and vitamins in turmeric makes it a powerful antioxidant. Especially if we feed our dog with only dog food, the lack of these substances that are so beneficial to your health should be covered with the intake of vitamin supplements such as turmeric. In this way, this plant has the ability to detoxify the dog's organism and prevent cell oxidation.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric, this spice is increasingly used for the production of natural nutritional supplements intended for the treatment of joint problems such as osteoarthritis^[3] in dogs, horses and other animals. In this way, if the dog takes this powdered root directly, it is also possible to make the symptoms of different joint related diseases better, as well as to favor their prevention.

Anti-Gluemic Properties

In addition to all of the above benefits, turmeric also has the ability to enhance the function of your dog's pancreas, where insulin is produced. In this way, this spice helps balance the body's insulin levels, triglycerides and blood sugar, as well as strengthen the dog's immune system.

The properties of turmeric for dogs mentioned above translate into a series of benefits that allow us to use this plant to treat the following health problems:

Gases

As turmeric is a carminative plant and possesses powerful digestive properties, turmeric is ideal for treating and preventing flatulence and excess gas in dogs, as long as the cause of such problems is an inadequate dog feed, lack of chewing or a bad digestion. When gases appear due to the presence of a certain disease or the development of a food allergy, it is imperative to go to the veterinarian to follow the best treatment.

Stomach cramps, gastroenteritis and diarrhea

Due to its digestive properties, turmeric is a perfect natural remedy to fight stomach problems such as colic, gastritis, gastroenteritis, heartburn, diarrhea and vomiting.

Fatty liver

As we mentioned earlier on, turmeric is a natural liver protector and therefore is highly beneficial to treat fatty liver in dogs, always following the veterinarian's instructions, and other problems related to this organ. Also, and thanks to its antioxidant properties, it is also ideal to improve renal function.

Osteoarticular problems

Thanks to turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties, dogs can take turmeric to relieve the symptoms of arthritis, osteoarthritis and, in general, any osteoarticular problem. Of course, as with all diseases, turmeric should never be a substitute for the treatment stipulated by your veterinarian, but a complement that favors the clinical state of the animal.

Suitable for dogs with diabetes

Because of its nutritional composition, its anti-glycemic and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric helps treat and prevent diabetes in dogs. Thanks to its ability to regulate blood glucose levels and stimulate pancreas function, the chances of developing insulin resistance are reduced.

Depending on the use we want to give turmeric, the amount may vary. Thus, if we intend to use this plant to prevent the development of the illnesses and health problems mentioned above, we can use turmeric as seasoning if we make homemade recipes, never exceeding 60 mg per day. If a homemade diet is not followed, it is not recommended to sprinkle turmeric powder on comercial dry feed.

On the other hand, if we are interested in giving turmeric a dog to treat stomach problems, we can offer 2 to 3 grams a day, always with the veterinarian's approval and in the period of time established by the specialist. For joint problems, the recommended daily dose of turmeric for dogs is 1 gram the most.

All indicated quantities are intended for large dogs (25-35 kg), so they should be adapted according to the size of the animal.

Now that we know that dogs can eat turmeric and what the recommended daily amount for each case is, we may wonder if they can also eat curry, since one of the spices that compose it is precisely the one discussed in this article. Well, as there are several curry recipes nowadays, the ingredients for the curry mix that dogs can actually have in a small amount are the following:

• Turmeric
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Fenugreek
• Ginger
• Cayenne pepper
• Black pepper
• Mustard seeds

Although some of the ingredients in curry can be a good complement for our dogs' homemade recipes, the fact is that the whole of them in the form of curry is not recommended. This is mainly because of the spicy ingredients in curry, as they can lead to poor digestion and, therefore, develop stomach problems in your pet such as diarrhea or vomiting. Therefore, we conclude that dogs should not eat curry and that, if you want to season their meals, it is preferable to choose those spices that beneficial for them individually, or a trickle of olive oil.

If you want to read similar articles to Can Dogs Eat Turmeric Powder? Answer & Uses, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.