Turmeric does a doggo good

Turmeric is getting a lot of attention as a wonder plant, with sky-high benefits for people and dogs. We’re not usual band-wagon jumpers, but we’re on board with this one.

When we see or hear health claims about a supplement, we’re much more likely to say “prove it” than “sign me up.” On the other hand, if something is inexpensive, seems to have lots of good attached, and has a history, we might give it a try. For ourselves and our dogs.

We did a little research and found out that “golden paste,” a mixture of coconut oil, turmeric, and black pepper, is the most effective way to give dogs turmeric. Apparently the oil and pepper components help with the absorption of the turmeric. So we started making golden paste and giving it to our dogs. As well as taking it ourselves. We mix up the golden paste, pipe it into portion-size squiggles, and freeze it (pictured). At the start of the day, we defrost the quantity we need.

Yummy stuff

In all honesty, we thought the dogs would hate the taste. Mostly because Hope can’t stand the smell or taste of turmeric. She has to hide it in tomato juice to get the stuff down. But the dogs loved it. Apparently, it’s a taste that dogs enjoy, because the recommendation we saw from a veterinarian this week said to just sprinkle it on the dog’s regular food.

The turmeric “dosage” for dogs is a quarter teaspoon a day for small dogs, half teaspoon for medium dogs, three-quarters teaspoon for large dogs, and a full teaspoon for giant breeds. Little enough, and affordable. Turmeric powder costs less than $10 for a fairly large jar.

Benefits of turmeric

The claims for the benefits of turmeric are enormous and wide-ranging. The primary goal seems to be reducing inflammation. Fran says that’s working - her bursitis pain is under control. She noticed a difference about a month after starting the golden paste.Other noted benefits include anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. Turmeric is so chock-full of phytonutrients that it’s bound to do a doggo good.

Try it yourself

We know it all sounds a bit on the too-good-to-be-true side. But there’s very little downside so far. The worst we’ve noticed is the bright yellow color turmeric sheds wherever it goes. It doesn’t seem to wash out of Tango’s beard. But if the worst we can complain about is discolored fur on a 16-year-old dog, we’re okay with that.

By all means do your own research. Turmeric, a relative of ginger, has been used in Asian cultures for thousands of years. There are lots of studies, both in people and animals, that tout the benefits. Just be sure, if you make golden paste, that you wear an apron. That yellow gets everywhere.