Turmeric has many benefits for people and their animals, including dogs. Turmeric is considered an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which may help your dog with a variety of different health problems. Turmeric has not been heavily studied, though, especially in dogs. For this reason, most of what we know about turmeric is anecdotal in nature – not actually scientific.
There is some difficulty when it comes to feeding yoru dog turmeric, though. Most dogs won’t eat if it is directly added to their food, though some may not care enough and will gobble it up anyway. Instead, you may want to consider making a turmeric-specific recipe, which will give your dog the benefit of turmeric without the difficulty of trying to get them to eat it.
In this article, we’ll look at several turmeric recipes for your canine.
The 3 Turmeric Recipes for Dogs
1. Easy Turmeric Paste
Healthy Turmeric Paste for Dogs
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Spoon
- Jar
Ingredients
- ½ cup turmeric powder
- 1½ cup water
- 1½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup ghee clarified butter
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon optional; some dogs prefer the taste with cinnamon
- ¼ cup ground ginger optional
Instructions
- Mix the turmeric with the water and heat them in a pan. A thick paste should form after 7 to 10 minutes. Add more water if the paste gets too thick.
- Once the turmeric/water mixture has thickened into a paste, add the pepper, cinnamon, ghee, and ginger (if using).
- Let the mixture cool.
- Place it in a jar and store it in the fridge. It will last for at least 2 weeks.
Notes
2. Turmeric Toothpaste
Turmeric toothpaste is a tasty way to keep your dog’s teeth clean. The recipe is quite simple if you’ve made the above paste.
All you need to do is add a bit of extra ghee to the paste to make it more “toothpaste-y.” This can be used to brush your dog’s teeth. They may enjoy it more than usual toothpaste if they like the flavor, though some dogs will find it quite nasty and may avoid it.
Parsley can be added to the mixture as an antibacterial agent, but this is optional. If your dog has other dental problems, this toothpaste may not be strong enough for them. Speak with your vet before using this toothpaste, just in case.
3. Turmeric Milk
We recommend using turmeric paste over “golden milk,” simply because it is better for your dog. However, some dogs refuse to eat turmeric paste no matter how well you hide it. In these circumstances, it is often necessary to use turmeric milk instead. This may be a good alternative to the added honey that many recipes use in the paste, as it doesn’t contain quite as much sugar.
Making turmeric milk is quite simple. Simply add some turmeric to goat’s milk. Do not use cow’s milk, as this can upset your pet’s stomach. You can find goat’s milk at your local pet store that is designed for dogs. Alternatively, use goat milk from your local grocery store. Both varieties are perfectly acceptable.
Is Turmeric Safe for Dogs?
Yes, in moderation. You should not feed your dog turmeric if they have thin blood or are on blood thinners, as turmeric can cause the blood to thin even more.
What Is the Correct Turmeric Dosage for Dogs?
This varies a lot from dog to dog and depends on the benefits you’re attempting to reach. In most cases, we recommend starting with a very small dose, such as ¼ teaspoon. If your dog tolerates this dose, you may increase it. Often, it may be difficult to know exactly when you’re getting the benefits from the turmeric.
You may want to work with a vet to determine when the turmeric is starting to become effective. Alternatively, you can watch your dog’s energy levels and overall health. Slowly increase the dose as necessary.
Can I Give My Dog Turmeric Paste?
Turmeric is safe for dogs in smaller quantities. It is often added to dog food, though this is often to enhance the color of the food naturally – not for anti-inflammatory benefits. Some dog food companies do use turmeric for its proposed benefits, however.
Turmeric has been used for years on humans, though it’s use in dogs is likely much newer. It has many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits according to many people who have used it. But, many of these benefits have not been studied in a clinical setting. Therefore, just how good its benefits are for dogs is completely unknown.
Does Turmeric Have Side Effects?
Though herbal remedies are often considered safe, they can cause side effects. Too much turmeric can thin the blood and may interfere with blood thinners. Therefore, it is not recommended for dogs that are currently taking blood thinners or have other blood problems.
It can also affect clotting disorders, as it thins the blood and makes it more difficult for it to clot properly. You also shouldn’t give it to your dog if they are about to undergo surgery, as it may cause clotting problems.
Conclusion
Turmeric is thought to have many health benefits, though these have not been studied extensively. Giving dogs turmeric is sometimes difficult, as picky eaters may refuse to eat foods that contain turmeric powder. Luckily, there are several recipes you can try that your pet may find a bit more palatable. Adding things like honey and cinnamon is often enough to encourage some dogs to eat it. However, you do need to be careful about adding too much sugar, though, as this can have negative health consequences for your pet.
We recommend trying plain turmeric paste first, as it is the healthiest option. If your pet refuses that, you may want to create something a bit more flavorful. If worse comes to worst, many dogs will eat turmeric if it is mixed in with a wet food that contains plenty of gravy. You can also add it to goat milk, which is quite healthy for many canines.
Related reads:
- Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? Are Tomatoes Safe For Dogs?
- Manganese for Dogs: Benefits, Uses & Side Effects
- 12 Things to Feed a Dog for Healthy Joints
Featured image credit: cgdsro, Pixabay
