As a family of dog lovers, it was heartbreaking to see our 10-year-old Labrador, Max, showing signs of pain when jumping up onto the couch. He also seemed to be slowing down when running in the garden and was not his usual happy self.
Our vet told us that he was suffering from arthritis, a common ailment that affects older dogs. Not being a great fan of medication, we decided to do some investigating to see if we could find a natural remedy for him. Turmeric came up as a well recommended alternative to medication which certainly was a surprise.
What is Turmeric?
My only experience with Turmeric to date was as a spice – using it in a delicious Sri Lankan chicken curry that I make for the family! Turmeric is a plant that is native to Central America and Asia. It produces tall green leaves, lovely white flowers, and thick deep roots. The harvested roots are ground, dried and used to make spices.
Turmeric featured as an important component of ancient medicine. It is able to cure a host of ailments ranging from pain relief to aiding digestion. Today, it has been given the accolade of being a ‘˜Superfood’.
Can I give my dog turmeric for joint pain?
Osteoarthritis is the official name for joint pain. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective tissue, or cartilage, at the ends of the bones wears down. This causes the bones of the joints to rub together with no protection. As a result, the joints become inflamed with a build-up of Lactic Acid. The pain which results can be anything from mild to debilitating. Because cartilage does not contain any blood vessels, it cannot repair itself and fix the damage. There are, however, ways to alleviate it.
A natural plant compound, or polyphenol, called Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to reduce pain caused by OA, Osteoarthritis. Turmeric contains large amounts of Curcumin and if ingested correctly will have a healing effect on the painful joints. So, yes, you can give your dog Turmeric for joint pain. Further on I will review a great product for you to try.
Turmeric as an alternative to expensive narcotic drugs for dogs with arthritis
As we all know, a visit to the vet is not kind on your bank balance. Consultation and medication can cost a fortune. There are many expensive narcotic drugs for dogs with arthritis. Your vet will probably suggest one of two remedies. The first is an Arthritis pain pet medication, known as Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or NSAIDs. Some scary sounding names are Rimadyl, Deramaxx, and Novox. They reduce pain and allow your dog to move around more easily. This gives them the exercise they need to help strengthen muscles, heart, and lungs.
A second option is joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, perna, and fatty acids. Giving your dog supplements from an early age will certainly reduce the chance of OA. These supplements work by lubricating the joints and stimulating joint cells to repair themselves if damaged.
Turmeric is an inexpensive and easily obtained natural ingredient. If you want to avoid large medical costs, it is worth giving it a try. As with most medical or natural remedies, you will need to monitor your dog and ensure that she does not suffer any negative side effects.
Turmeric for dogs as Antioxidant
During my research, I learned a lot about antioxidants. These amazing healing components help to reduce a host of ailments from cancers to digestive problems, high blood pressure and toxic livers. When oxidation takes place in the body, chemical reactions create free radicals. Free radicals damage cells, causing disease and illness. Antioxidants help to reduce the process of oxidation and reduce the damage.
The Curcumin component in Turmeric offers high levels of antioxidants which include vitamins E and C, beta-carotene and selenium. Antioxidants have many positive effects on the body. They help to keep the liver healthy and flush the body of toxins. They boost the immune system and provide support for your dog’s natural defenses, allowing her to ward off illness. Antioxidants also help to curb premature aging.
Is Turmeric not compatible with dogs with a sensitive stomach
When trying out a new medication or natural treatment, it is important to start with small doses and monitor the effect. Like humans, dogs can react adversely to Turmeric, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.
The Curcumin in Turmeric contains components that stimulate the stomach to produce gastric acid. While this is great for digestion, if taken in large doses it could have negative effects. It may cause inflammation of the stomach lining, leading to cramps and pain. This can also give rise to nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea.
How much Turmeric is safe to give to my dog
The best way to administer Turmeric to your dog is to purchase a reputable product. These come in the form of tablets or liquid. They are well controlled and give detailed directions on the correct dosages. Overdosing your dog can lead to stomach problems and other negative side effects.
Here are the safe recommended dosages for your dog based on weight.
🶠Liquid Turmeric for dogs
We discovered a paste that can be made at home using Turmeric powder. It is easy and quick and Max seemed to enjoy it!
The ingredients you need are:
- ½ cup of Turmeric powder
- 1 cup of water
- 1½ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
- 70 ml olive oil
Follow these easy steps:
- Add Turmeric powder and water to a pan and cook gently over a low heat. Stir until it forms a paste. Add extra water if it gets too thick. Cooking time is around 7-10 minutes.
- Add in the olive oil and stir.
- Allow the mixture to cool.
- Store in your fridge.
Alternatively, opt for a healthy and organic turmeric dog joint supplement.
Turmeric tablets for dogs
This is a great product I found that has had a real effect on reducing the pain of arthritis and getting Max back to his friendly, happy self!
Turmeric Chews
This product offers tablets that are convenient, with no mess, fuss or spilling. The bite-sized pieces have a bacon and beef liver flavor which our dog enjoyed.
Turmeric Chews are 100% safe and contain no by-products, wheat, corn, soy, eggs or gluten. Production takes place in a GMP organic certified facility.
The product doesn’t need to be kept in a refrigerator. It does not require any preparation. We simply added the capsules into the food and saw a great improvement in his health within a few weeks.
- Bite-size chews, easy to use
- Bacon and beef liver flavor
- No added by-products
- No bad smell
- Correct dosages specified on the container
- No refrigeration needed
- Made in a GMP organic certified facility
Most people who used this product were very happy. A few said that their animal had a sensitive stomach and experienced vomiting and diarrhea. As always, start off slow and make sure your pet is not showing any side effects.
Turmeric mg dosage
The recommended dosages for your dog in mg is very easy to follow.
Give your pet 15-20mg per pound of body weight per day. In teaspoons, this works out as 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon for every pound per pay.
In Summary
As a family, we are very happy that our Max has regained his health after giving him Turmeric Chews. They also saved us a load of money on vet fees and expensive prescription medication.
Check my reviews on the best turmeric treats that are natural and yummy.
