Turmeric (Curcumin or Kurkuma) should not be confused with “turmeric root,” a colloquial name for the plant commonly known as Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), which is in the Ranunculaceae, or buttercup family and is a popular herbal remedy in its own right. Goldenseal can be toxic if overused, whereas few adverse effects have been recorded regarding the frequent consumption of turmeric.
It is important to note that turmeric is a binding agent and one of the best remedies for diarrhea. It can cause constipation as well as dehydration so be sure your dog drinks plenty of water when using it.
Your dog can be given yogurt as well to keep the flora of the intestine balanced while using turmeric.
Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in capsule form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.
The dosage is typically 15 to 20 mg per pound of body weight daily. 150-200 mg for cats, increasing appropriately for larger animals. Dr. Jon Rappaport -DVM
Since the suggested dosage is 15-20 mg per pound /.453 kg of body weight, a dog weighing 55lbs /25kg, would do well to take two 500 mg of turmeric per day for arthritis while making sure to drink plenty of water, so as not to become constipated.
I do not recommend taking turmeric with other NSAIDS, including aspirin. As with anything, prescription or natural, DO NOT OVERDOSE. Always monitor your dog for any unusual changes in eating, drinking or eliminating and discontinue use if these changes are persistent. It seems like this would be common sense but oftentimes if a dog has been injured, one does not know if it is the injury or the drug causing the unusual behaviour. See: Death by Previcox-Rowdy’s Last Vacation
The turmeric we use comes in 500 mg capsules. Our dog Kohle (see story below) will sometimes not drink enough water when taking it, so I offer him milk, which he loves and that always puts him right.
Medicinal Uses of Turmeric for Dogs
It’s been well documented that studies suggest that uses of turmeric (curcumin) have very significant anti-cancer properties. It’s making huge strides in cancer cures because it inhibits growth of tumors, shrinks existing ones and prevents new tumors from developing carcinogenic cancer.
Turmeric healing or curcumin’s medical talents, which are widely reported, have effects on:
- Blocking inflammation
- Kills infectious bacteria and microbes
- It improves the function and health of the heart
- It’s antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, antibiotic, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory
- It cures stomach ailments
- It cures ear infections
- It kills sinus infections
- It kills parasites
- It prevents cataracts
- It heals damage from long-term diabetes and wounds caused by diabetes
Turmeric benefits and side effects: The only real affect it gives when large doses are taken is an elevated body temperature. Not to say there’s a fever, just an elevated temperature. In rare instances, dogs with sensitive skin may break out with a rash.
Other interesting turmeric sources:
Spice of Life: Curcumin and Dog Cancer
How Tumeric Helped Our Dog’s Hip
More on Curcumin and Dog Cancer
Daily Advice is intended for informational purposes only. You should always consult with your veterinarian about any health issues affecting your dog.
