Feeding and nutrition tips for dogs using Turmeric

Did you know that adding turmeric to your canine's daily diet has substantial benefits to their health?

Turmeric powder is a vibrant yellow spice used liberally in Indian curries. It is known to many as a natural wonder and has a long history of use in both Indian and Chinese traditional medicine. Turmeric is known to reduce inflammation, particular itchy skin and arthritis.

You can read more about how turmeric has helped a dog owner here.

Highly recommended by vets

Doug English, a veterinarian at Marlin Coast Vet Hospital in North Queensland, has been using and recommending turmeric on animals for years. He has seen positive results in his patients for allergic dermatitis, atopy, Queensland Itch in horses, arthritis in both dogs and horses, irritable bowel syndrome, and a general improvement in overall health. Health benefits aside, dogs and horses happily accept and enjoy turmeric in their diet as well.

To explore the additional benefits of adding turmeric to your dog’s diet check out Doug English’s post on his website. Benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, chemo preventive, antimicrobial, depurative (“blood purifying”), hepatoprotective, antithrombotic are listed amongst others. There are some contraindications too which you should read before adding it your dog’s diet.

How to feed turmeric to your dog?

The easiest method is to just add the ingredients in your dog's food. Mix the dry powder with oil and ground black pepper and add it to their regular feed.

1. Start with 1/4 of a teaspoon of turmeric and build up (if needed) to an approximate maximum of 2 heaped tablespoons over a few weeks.
2. Add OIL – best using one of these three – Coconut, Olive, or Linseed. Start with about 2-5 mls of oil.
3. Add 3-4 grinds of pepper from a pepper grinder.

You can find more information and other methods of feeding here.