Whipping up a turmeric latte for lunch or a nice Indian curry for dinner? Not surprising! Many folks incorporate this spice into their diets nowadays. Not just because it’s tasty and lends a nice yellow color, but also because of its supposed health benefits. If you eat turmeric to support your physical health, you may be wondering if it can also be good for your dog.
Can dogs eat turmeric, and if so, is it beneficial to their health? Let’s find out!
What is turmeric, anyway?
Turmeric is the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, which belongs to the same family as ginger root (the Zingiberaceae). This spice, mashed or powdered, has long been a staple in India and Southeast Asia, where it naturally grows. It tastes lightly peppery and imparts a bright, yellow-orange color to any dish it’s used in.
In recent years, turmeric has gained a lot of popularity in the West. Its flavor by itself is not the most exciting, but turmeric is associated with various health benefits thanks to its active component, curcumin. It has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine, but has also become common as a supplement (often in capsule form) in the USA. Although definitive studies are still lacking and the evidence is limited, this spice is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and help alleviate various ailments, such as arthritis.
Whether turmeric actually has healing properties or not, it can be found in every spice rack, and more recently also in the form of turmeric tea or “golden latte” (frothed milk with turmeric and black pepper) at our favorite hipster cafés.
Can dogs eat turmeric?
If you’re one of the many people who uses turmeric in their recipes or takes it as a supplement, you may be wondering if its purported benefits extend to our furry friends. Can dogs eat turmeric safely, or is it toxic to them? And if it’s safe, should you be sharing some turmeric with your pooch on a regular basis?
Good news: dogs can indeed eat turmeric. In fact, some dog kibble brands contain this spice already, as it’s commonly used as a natural coloring agent.
A 2023 study concludes that turmeric is promising as a supplement for dogs. It may work against osteoarthritis, for example, which is common in our furry friends and often debilitating. It has even been used topically to help heal wounds, as it has an antimicrobial effect, although that’s not something we would without the green light from our vet.
All this being said, there are still some issues, such as the fact that turmeric doesn’t actually contain that much of its medically active component, curcumin (only around 2-5% by weight). Additionally, the bioavailability is normally very low: the body usually just doesn’t really absorb it. Although it has been found that combining turmeric with black pepper extract (piperine) or fat-based carriers can help with this, just sprinkling some turmeric on your furry friend’s food is unlikely to make a difference for their health.
Cooking with turmeric for your dog
As we just mentioned, turmeric doesn’t contain all that much of the beneficial curcumin. Your dog would have to eat quite a lot of it to experience any beneficial effects! That’s why nowadays, handy supplements are available—not just for humans, but also for dogs. These contain larger amounts of curcumin, combined with the right carriers to increase its bioavailability.
If you don’t want to buy supplements (they can be quite pricey!), one thing you can try is regularly adding a dollop of golden paste to your dog’s meals. Named for its color, this homemade paste consists of turmeric powder, water, some kind of fat, and a little black pepper.
It’s easy to make:
- Mix 1/4 cup turmeric powder with 1/2 cup water in a saucepan.
- Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring until it forms a thick paste.
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of a healthy fat (like coconut oil or olive oil) and 1/4 tsp of black pepper.
- Let the paste cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (or up to a year in the freezer).
Depending on your dog’s size, you can mix up to two teaspoons of golden paste into their food daily. Just start with small amounts: this prevents any stomach issues as your dog’s digestive system gets used to this new supplement!
Please note: we recommend consulting your vet before giving your pet any kind of supplement, especially if it has pre-existing conditions. Turmeric is not a medication or substitute for veterinary care.
Conclusion: Can dogs eat turmeric?
So, can dogs eat turmeric? The answer is yes, they can. In fact, although more research is still needed, it may actually be beneficial for them. You can incorporate turmeric into your dog’s diet using capsules or gummies, or opt for homemade golden paste as a less pricey alternative.
PS: Wondering if your dog can eat other common foods? We explain all about what is and isn’t healthy for your pooch in our section on safety.
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