Turmeric for Good Dogs

The turmeric herb is a member of the ginger family & is used for cooking, herbal medicine & dyes. Native to the Middle East & Southeast Asia, it has been a staple in cooking for thousands of years. Today it is a key ingredient in most curry dishes as well as Thai, Indian, & Persian meals.

But guess what? It’s good for dogs too. It’s an antioxidant so it can help fight cancer. It is also an anti-inflammatory & turmeric boosts the liver’s ability to metabolize fat & remove waste from the body. It’s high in fiber & rich in vitamins & minerals. Turmeric also helps with stomach ailments, digestive disorders, & reduces gas & bloating.

The suggested dosage is approximately 15 to 20 mg per pound of body weight in dogs, 150-200 mg for cats. A simpler way of looking at it is an 1/8 to a 1/4 teaspoon per day, for every 10lbs of dog weight. Sprinkle it right on top of your pet’s food & mix or if you home cook, add it to the recipe. Turmeric is a binding agent, so ensure that your pet has lots of water to reduce the likelihood of constipation.

Turmeric powder is commonly available in supermarkets. The quality may vary so read the label, it may be grown using pesticides & herbicides. This can lower the potency, so if possible, try to get high quality, organic turmeric. Be sure to store it in a tightly sealed container, kept in a cool, dark and dry place.