TURMERIC FOR DOGS

We hear a lot about Turmeric being healthy for people, and that it's beneficial to add it to our diets. But Turmeric for dogs is also becoming a keen interest for dog parents who want to ensure they are doing everything they can to keep their dogs as healthy as possible.

Turmeric For Dogs

Turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa, is a flowering plant in the ginger family that is native to India and Southeast Asia. The root, or rhizome, looks a lot like ginger root. It's a fragrant spice, on the "warmer" side, that is used in cooking in many types of cuisines. 

People add Turmeric to food, not just for flavoring but also because it is thought to have various health benefits such as reducing pain, inflammation, infection, and improving other ailments. However there is very little documented scientific evidence of this that I could find. There was an article written about Turmeric's benefits for people by Johns Hopkins Medicine if you'd like to read more about that.

Is Turmeric good for dogs?

Is Turmeric actually good for dogs health? And if so, what are the benefits of Turmeric for dogs?  There have been several studies that show Turmeric may support healthy joint mobility in dogs. This is mainly due to curcumin, a type of nutrient (a phytonutrient) that is found in Turmeric.

In addition to it's beneficial anti inflammatory properties for dogs, it is also an antioxidant, and can be beneficial for certain gastrointestinal issues in dogs as well.

According to Dogs Naturally Magazine:

"Curcumin for dogs has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, wound healing and anticancer activities. It can help fight diseases like arthritis, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, gastrointestinal issues and more."

How Much Turmeric Is Safe For My Dog

Turmeric is reportedly safe for dogs (with some exceptions) in small amounts. It is recommended to only give dogs about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per day for every 10 pounds of your dog's body weight. However, you should consult your dog's Veterinarian on how much you can give your dog, and how you should go about introducing it into your dog's diet.  Whenever I add something new to my dogs' diets, I consult my Veterinarian, and I always start with very small amounts, working up to whatever amount is recommended by my Veterinarian. 

Possible Turmeric in dogs Side effects

Turmeric has been reported to have a few side effects in dogs though. Stomach upset which could cause diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort are some of the side effects of Turmeric for dogs.  

To avoid side effects, you may want to start by giving your dog very small amounts at first and work up to about 1/4 teaspoon per day for every 10 pounds of your dog's body weight. 

Turmeric can also interact with some medications, including anti-inflammatory and diabetes drugs. It could interfere with other medications and therapies as well.

I always recommend consulting your dog's Veterinarian before making any changes to their diet or adding any new food, supplement, spice, herb, or anything else. 

PIN THIS!

Your Vet knows your pet's health best, so ask your Vet if they agree that Turmeric is something you can give to your dog as a beneficial supplement. Your Vet will also have recommendations of how much Turmeric your specific dog should have, and can advise on how to best introduce Turmeric to your pet's diet.

*********************************************

With all the natural disasters there have been across the country lately, Emergency Preparedness is more important than ever, and that includes our pets.  I created a 2 page Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Pets that provides an emergency planner that ensures we are prepared to evacuate with our pets in case of an emergency.  Get it now in my Etsy Shop for just $1.50. You can Print it out or use it Digitally on your Phone, PC, Tablet, etc. 

***************************************************

Sharing is Caring If you enjoyed this post, please share it on your social media! ❤️

Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest!

You may also find these dog health posts helpful:

  Hiking Safely With Dogs in Cold Weather

Travelling? Choose the Right Boarding Facility for Your Dog

 

 Is Cinnamon Bad For Dogs?

IS CINNAMON BAD FOR DOGS?

A lot of human foods and spices are toxic to dogs and should be avoided, but some of them are actually beneficial for dogs. And dogs find them quite delicious! I use a lot of dog- safe people foods in the homemade dog treats and food I make for my dogs. One of the human ingredients I love giving my dogs is cinnamon. They really love the taste! Is cinnamon bad for dogs? No, cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, although it is advisable to give cinnamon to your dog in small quantities - don't just dump a large amount of it into their food! 

I use less than a teaspoon of cinnamon, mostly as a topper for the homemade dog treats I make for them. Any more than that could cause stomach upset, according to my Veterinarian. 

My dogs love treats made with cinnamon

Like any other new food or additive you want to give your pet, always consult your Veterinarian to make sure they don't have any issue with you giving cinnamon to your dog. Your Vet knows your dog's health best, so it's always advisable to consult your Vet first. 

Be aware that it is not advisable to let your dog chew on cinnamon sticks or consume cinnamon essential oil. I'm talking about giving your dog the cinnamon in ground powder form here.

Using small amounts of cinnamon in dog treats can provide some health benefits, such as:

🐾 Cinnamon is high in antioxidants

🐾 Cinnamon can reduce inflammation

🐾 Cinnamon can help lower blood sugar

🐾 Cinnamon may reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can be beneficial for heart health

There are many commercial dog treats that contain cinnamon, but I often prefer to make my own homemade dog treats. I like to add a small dollop of whipped cream to my DIY dog treat creations and sprinkle some cinnamon on top. My dogs have all loved that! I use maybe 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. That's all it takes to add wonderful flavor to my dogs' treats! Dogs should only have cinnamon in small quantities. Small quantities can be beneficial while larger quantities of cinnamon can cause digestive irritation in dogs. 

The key to letting your dog have cinnamon in treats or mixed in with their food is to keep the amount small, less than one teaspoon.

>> Here's one of my favorite super easy, no bake, homemade dog treats that contains cinnamon. I love making this simple treat for my dogs!

Pumpkin Spice DIY treat for dogs recipe

Ingredients:

* 1/4 cup of Plain, unflavored yogurt

* 1 to 2 Tbsp of pumpkin (100% pure pumpkin, Not pumpkin pie filling) 

* 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

Mix the yogurt, pumpkin, and peanut butter together in a bowl. Place it on a plate or in your dog's dish.

Then add:

*A Dollop of whipped cream & a Dash of cinnamon on top, and serve!

I bet your dog will love it!! Remember to consult your Veterinarian before giving any new food product to your dog.

PIN THIS!

Sharing is Caring If you enjoyed this post, please share it on your social media! ❤️

Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest!

*********************************************

With all the natural disasters there have been across the country lately, Emergency Preparedness is more important than ever, and that includes our pets.  I created a 2 page Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Pets that provides an emergency planner that ensures we are prepared to evacuate with our pets in case of an emergency.  Get it now in my Etsy Shop for just $1.50. You can Print it out or use it Digitally on your Phone, PC, Tablet, etc. 

***************************************************

You may also find these dog health posts helpful:

 

Health Benefits of Manuka Honey for Dogs

 Tips for Hiking Safely With Dogs in Winter

Dog Friendly fun in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire