You may have heard of turmeric’s health benefits for humans—but this yellow spice can have profound medicinal effects on our canine companions, too.
👉 Always talk to your vet before introducing a new supplement into your dog’s diet
Turmeric is a spice made from the stem of a turmeric plant, Curcuma longa, which belongs to the ginger family. Grown mainly in countries with tropical climates—including India, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia—turmeric most commonly takes the form of a bright yellow powder that is harvested by drying and grinding the turmeric root, also known as a rhizome.
In Asian cuisines, turmeric is used to add a rich color and flavor to multiple dishes, but it can also be used as a dye, cosmetic, and most importantly, as a potent medicinal herb. Throughout history, humans have used turmeric to treat upper respiratory conditions, joint inflammation, and digestive problems. In recent years, Western cultures have adopted turmeric as a dietary supplement for a variety of health issues, from arthritis to diabetes, liver disease, and even allergies.
The secret behind turmeric’s healing powers lies in its active ingredient, curcumin. Years of scientific research have confirmed that curcumin, and its family of related compounds called curcuminoids, boast anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties that can be beneficial to both humans and dogs.
👉Check out our full guide to herbal supplements for dogs.
On multiple occasions, compounds containing curcumin have been shown to significantly improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis in affected dogs. A 2020 study found that a dietary supplement containing both palmitoyl glucosamine and curcumin alleviated symptoms, including paw swelling, cellular inflammation, and pain sensitivity. Dogs in this study also experienced a 45% improvement in their mobility after starting the supplement.
In another study from 2017, dogs with osteoarthritis were put on a diet containing a mixture of curcuminoid extract, hydrolyzed collagen, and green tea extract. After three months’ time, dogs in the test group showed a significant reduction in pain while moving, and were able to get up from a supine (lying) position more easily than dogs in the control group.
While there is ample evidence supporting the efficacy of curcumin in treating dogs with OA, research explicitly focused on turmeric is more limited. However, one 2012 study found that dogs that were fed turmeric had significantly fewer inflammatory blood cells than dogs treated with traditional painkillers (NSAIDS).
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to relieve itching associated with eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis (or AD). A 2021 study in Turkey found that Silifort paste—a commercially available product made from a mixture of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Slybium marianum (silymarin)—provided significant short-term itching relief in dogs with AD.
Additional research suggests that turmeric can significantly reduce the symptoms of food allergies in dogs by inhibiting levels of IgE and IgG1, histamine-producing antibodies that normally play key roles in triggering an allergic reaction.
Emerging studies have identified curcumin as an effective cancer treatment for both humans and dogs. Specifically, one 2023 study found that the curcumin analogue RL71 is a potent medicine against canine osteosarcoma cells, triggering G2/M arrest and cell death (apoptosis) in affected dogs.
More research needs to be done to determine curcumin’s efficacy against other forms of cancer, but these cellular markers are vital to the DNA repair process in recovering cancer patients.
Turmeric alone may not be a suitable substitute for prescription antibiotics, but it may boost their effects if the two are taken together. A 2020 study found that both turmeric (in the form of raw turmeric and nanoturmeric) and NSAIDs showed positive effects in inhibiting bacterial growth when used in combination with antibiotics.
More recently, a 2023 study found that adding turmeric (along with a host of other organic compounds) to your dog’s diet may be an effective way to prevent them from contracting canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), a viral infection with notoriously high mortality rates in canines.
Turmeric’s high antioxidant levels make it a powerful digestive aid for you and your pup. These antioxidants protect the digestive tract from oxidative stress and other forms of cell damage that can contribute to digestive problems over time. Additionally, curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties are thought to alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Curcumin is known to stimulate bile production in the liver, which some experts say helps in the digestion of fats. However, more conclusive research is needed in this area to say if it significantly improves the digestive process in dogs.
In traditional Asian medicine, turmeric powder is combined with ghee (taken from sheep’s fat) to create a topical salve that can accelerate the body’s natural wound healing process. A 2008 study tested the efficacy of this ointment on surgical wounds in dogs and concluded that it had a positive therapeutic effect, reducing inflammation around the wounds and accelerating the repair stage of healing.
Not only does turmeric boast impressive antibacterial and antiviral properties, but it may also be an effective way to keep to your pooch parasite-free. A 2018 study analyzing the ability of essential oils to protect against tick bites concluded that dogs sprayed with turmeric oil were less likely to have ticks attach to their legs and abdomen compared to unsprayed dogs.
“Anytime a dog is showing signs of pain, or infection, it is important to consult with your veterinarian to determine a diagnosis. Otherwise, there is a risk turmeric may mask signs of a serious illness leading to potential long term consequences.”
— Dwight Alleyne, DVM
Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are just as beneficial to your dog’s brain as they are to the rest of their body. Less inflammation and oxidative stress translate to less wear and tear on the brain over time, which helps dogs retain cognitive function for longer periods of time.
It’s also been suggested that curcumin may promote the formation of a protein known as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which is responsible for the growth and health of neurons. This could result in improved memory and cognitive ability if true, but more evidence is needed to conclusively prove this claim.
When your body is healthier, you tend to feel happier. The same is true for our dogs. In this way, turmeric’s powerhouse health benefits really do improve their mood—even if it is just a secondary result of other processes at work.
While turmeric can be good for dogs in small doses, larger quantities can lead to unwanted side effects. These include stomach upset, constipation, and an increase in urinary oxalate levels that may worsen symptoms in dogs prone to kidney stones.
Keep these tips in mind before introducing turmeric into your dog’s diet:
Pet owners can buy regular, dog-friendly turmeric in the spice aisle at most grocery stores. For maximum benefit, we recommend cooking your turmeric powder into a paste or gravy before feeding it to your dog. If you’re unable to do so, you can sprinkle turmeric powder and ¼ teaspoon of a healthy oil (such as coconut, olive, or linseed) directly into your dog’s normal food.
👉 Turmeric has low bioavailability, meaning it isn’t absorbed easily on its own, but adding one of these fats will help.
We break down a few of our favorite dog-safe turmeric products below:
If you’re going to give your dog turmeric powder from the local grocery store, always opt for organic products. Read the labels on each one to avoid giving your dog any unwanted additives or preservatives.
If you want to try making your own turmeric paste at home, you can whip one up with a few ingredients you probably have in your kitchen. Add one part turmeric and two parts water to a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until the mixture turns into a thick, golden paste. After that, just mix in a half part MCT oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or ghee.
Similar to other soft treats, pre-made turmeric chews make for a fun, easy way to work beneficial curcuminoids into your dog’s daily diet. We like these tasty duck-flavored bites from Zesty Paws, which support healthy hip and joint function and provide an additional boost to your dog’s skin, liver, and digestive health.
Turmeric solutions for dogs can also be purchased in pourable or dropper bottles. Just put the liquid in your dog’s regular food, or administer it orally with the help of the dropper. This supplement from Kangaroo Dogs touts an all-natural formula and rapid absorption for faster results.
With all the side effects linked to traditional anti-inflammatory meds, natural options like turmeric are well worth considering when it comes to treating your dog’s pain and discomfort. Talk to your vet if you think turmeric might be a good option for your dog, and take the time to explore all the options available to you. At the end of the day, a healthy dog is a happy dog—and that’s what every pet owner wants.
Generally, small dogs weighing 25 pounds or less should be given no more than ¼ teaspoon of turmeric per day. Dogs between 25 and 45 pounds can safely have ½ teaspoon daily, while those weighing 45 to 90 pounds may take up to ¾ teaspoon. For large dogs over 90 pounds, a full teaspoon per day is considered safe. Start small and see how your dog reacts before working your way up to a full dose, and consult your vet before starting your dog on turmeric to get the best dosage for their individual needs.
Turmeric is generally safe for dogs to consume in moderation, but side effects may appear if they eat too much or too frequently. These mostly consist of gastrointestinal upset in the form of vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. In rare cases, when a dog ingests a very high dose of turmeric, they may experience liver damage as a result of the spice’s high antioxidant levels.
The “best” natural anti-inflammatory for your dog ultimately depends on the root cause of their inflammation. Turmeric is the most popular (and most well-researched) natural anti-inflammatory for dogs, but studies have also shown that cinnamon, hawthorn, and the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree can all provide anti-inflammatory benefits to dogs.
The time it takes for turmeric to work for dogs depends on factors including age, breed, dosage, and the condition you’re attempting to treat with the turmeric. Some owners see improvements in their dog within a few days, especially for acute conditions like minor cuts and scrapes. In most cases, however, you can expect to see noticeable benefits after four to eight weeks of consistent supplementation.
No. While turmeric itself is safe for dogs to eat, turmeric supplements made for humans may contain dosages and/or additional ingredients that may be harmful to dogs. For that reason, we recommend feeding them turmeric supplements specifically formulated for dogs.
