Can Dogs Eat Turmeric?

Yes, dogs can eat turmeric.

A member of the ginger family, turmeric is a flowering plant that’s used as a culinary spice. Many people consume the rhizomes in fresh or dried forms because it has many medicinal benefits. These include helping fight diseases such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and gastrointestinal issues. In addition, it slows down aging and the degeneration of cells because of its powerful antioxidants.

Dogs can also reap the benefits of having turmeric in their diet. The right amount can help decrease chronic inflammation, offer pain relief, improve joint health, and treat stomach diseases. Some studies even claim that it can replace steroids used for joint pain and allergies. 

How to feed turmeric to your dog: Before feeding your dog turmeric or anything new, get your veterinarian’s clearance. Make sure your pet doesn’t have any conditions that might get aggravated by the spice. Examples include bile tract obstruction, kidney stones, gallstones, and diabetes. Similarly, check if he has existing medication that might interfere with the spice.

Dogs Naturally Magazine shares that the recommended turmeric dose for dogs is ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon per day for every 10 pounds of body weight. Canine owners can adjust the amount depending on the size of their pet. Note that since the spice leaves the body quickly, it would be best to serve it multiple times a day in smaller amounts.   

Here are three ideas for turmeric treats your dog will love:

1. Create a paste by mixing turmeric powder with coconut oil or olive oil. Add this into your dog’s wet food.
2. Try this tasty pumpkin turmeric dog treat recipe made using six ingredients. 
3. Help him stay cool by letting him lick these frozen turmeric pup-sicles.

In summary: When given to your dog properly, turmeric can be a safe and advantageous addition to his diet. Just be careful not to give too much as it may cause constipation. Aside from turmeric, learn which human foods you can safely give your canine pet. Check out our “can dogs eat” blog category.

References: 

Wikipedia: Turmeric

Turmeric for Dogs: Benefits and Uses

Turmeric For Dogs: 5 Surprising Health Benefits

Food dogs should not eat and some they should