It may be best known for its bright yellow color and pungent aroma, but perhaps less known for its many health benefits. But turmeric, and more specifically, golden paste for dogs, is a powerhouse supplement that is all natural.
So, what’s the benefit of adding some of this gorgeous golden spread to your dog’s diet? And, how do you make it?
Benefits of Golden Paste for Dogs
Golden paste has become really popular for both humans and dogs because of the many benefits. Those benefits come from compounds called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin – the main active ingredient in turmeric.
And here’s what the curcumin can do:
1. Fight inflammation
While some inflammation in the body is good, chronic, low-level inflammation is not. Research shows that curcumin has serious potential when it comes to the prevention and treatment of various proinflammatory chronic diseases. Researchers believe this ability to fight inflammation comes from its ability to inhibit a number of different molecules that play a role in inflammation.
2. Powerful antioxidant
Free radicals, highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons, cause oxidative stress in the body. This oxidative stress is known to be the cause of many different health conditions, including cancer. Antioxidants fight those free radicals, neutralizing them and protecting the body. Turmeric is a potent antioxidant, giving those free radicals a run for their money. Additionally, curcumin boosts the activity of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. So, curcumin wages a two-pronged defence against free radicals. It blocks them directly, then stimulates your body’s own antioxidant defenses.
3. Fight cancer
This is a biggie. Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, and curcumin has been found to affect cancer growth, development, and spread at the molecular level. Various research studies shows that it can increase the death of cancerous cells, reduce the growth of new blood vessels in tumors, and the spread of cancer.
4. Relieve arthritis pain
This is potentially one of the most well-known benefits of golden paste for dogs. It’s routinely recommended for dogs suffering from arthritis symptoms. Because of those anti-inflammatory properties we already mentioned, golden paste can provide much needed relief. In fact, a 2004 study found that it was more effective than ibuprofen (in humans) – and that’s without the added stress and damage that prescription meds puts on the liver and kidneys.
5. Fight infection
Curcumin has, in addition to the above, some impressive antibacterial properties. Research has been extensive in this area, and so far we know that curcumin’s antiviral and antibacterial activity can act against various pathogens like the influenza virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV and strains of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas.
RELATED: Bone broth is another healthy addition to your dog’s diet. It’s also easy to make. Find the recipe here.
Golden Paste for Dogs: The Recipe
On its own, turmeric isn’t super bioavailable – meaning it isn’t absorbed very well by the body. But, when you mix it with some coconut oil and black pepper, you crank that absorption rate up big time – by as much as 2,000%!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- ¼ cup turmeric
- 1-1 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
- ¼ coconut oil
Step #1 – Stir the turmeric into the water in a pan, and keep it on medium/low heat, stirring continuously. It should start to form a thick paste. If it gets too thick, add a little more water. If it gets too watery, just add a bit more turmeric.
Step #2 – Once the paste has formed, add the pepper and coconut oil and stir it really well.
Step #3 – Let the golden paste cool on the counter, then transfer it to a container and keep it in the fridge. It’s good in there for about 2 weeks.
Step #4 – To feed it to your pup, simply add the golden paste directly to your dog’s regular meals. It’s great when you mix with a little kefir or goat milk.
How to Use it
Once you’ve whipped up a batch how much does your dog need and how do you feed it?
As a rule of thumb, it’s always best to start off slowly and work your way up. Begin with a small dosage (¼ teaspoon) to see how your pup reacts and what their tolerance is.
Golden paste leaves a dog’s system quickly, so it’s a good idea to add a ¼ teaspoon to every meal. If you find that they can tolerate the ¼ teaspoon but the dosage isn’t strong enough, then you can increase it to ½ teaspoons.
You can work up to 15 to 20 mg per pound of body weight. That’s approximately 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per day, for every 10lbs of weight.
**Important: Turmeric is great for a lot of things, but if your dog has a history of thin blood or is on medication to thin out their blood, then consult your veterinarian before giving turmeric to your dog as it is a natural blood thinner. Also, keep in mind that turmeric is a warming herb, so if your pup tends to be on the hot side (a husky for example), use it sparingly.
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