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Can Dogs Have Turmeric Safely?

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Article Summary

While turmeric is beneficial for a healthy dog, it should not be given to dogs who present with any of the contra-indications listed in this article. Consult with a naturopathic veterinary surgeon to avoid any problems.

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Can Dogs Have Turmeric Safely?

Most dogs can have turmeric, but they certainly don’t all need it! This is why it is not an ingredient in PET Plus. But please be aware that turmeric is definitely not suitable for all dogs.

If your dog has one of a certain number of health-conditions, turmeric may not be suitable.

Turmeric Is Not Advised For Certain Health Conditions

There are certain health conditions that dogs can suffer from which make turmeric a bad idea! In fact, it is often the combination of the disease process and the medications your dog has been prescribed for the disease that might react badly with the curcumin in turmeric.

If your dog suffers from any of the following conditions, it might be best to avoid feeding them turmeric

  • diabetes
  • cardiovascular disease (CVD)
  • cancer (with chemotherapy)
  • gallstones
  • bile duct obstruction or other liver diseases
  • pregnancy

The effects of turmeric are gentle and mild, but when combined with disease processes and/or medications, things might go awry. Here’s why it could cause problems.

Turmeric And Diabetes

Turmeric can reduce blood sugar, which might tip a diabetic dog into a hypoglycemic collapse.

Turmeric And Cardiovascular Disease

Treatments for cardiovascular disease may involve anticoagulants (blood thinners like Warfarin which is also rat poison). As turmeric can have a similar effect, it would not be the best choice to give turmeric and a chemical anticoagulant as their combined effect might be too much. Personally, I’d rather use turmeric than a drug any day!

Turmeric And Chemotherapy

As a potent anti-inflammatory agent, turmeric is very useful in the treatment of cancer. But maybe not combined with some chemotherapeutic drugs. So you need to choose a natural substance with zero side effects or a toxic chemical with a list of side effects that would stretch around the world! I know what I would choose!

Turmeric And Gallstones

Turmeric may stimulate the gallbladder to contract, which would normally squirt some bile into the small intestine. This undoubtedly helps with its digestion and absorption. But if the bile duct is blocked, the bile cannot leave the gallbladder so may be pushed back into the liver cells.

If there are gallstones in the gallbladder, contraction could be painful and potentially, could even damage the gallbladder or push stones into the bile duct causing a blockage. As many liver diseases impact the gallbladder and bile duct, it’s probably wise to avoid turmeric if there are any liver issues. But as it is a potent anti inflammatory agent, it could help resolve an inflamed liver in anyone without gallstones or a blocked bile duct.

Turmeric And Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very special and somewhat precarious time, so there are very few substances that can be recommended with confidence. So the general advice is not to give turmeric to expectant mothers of any species.

Turmeric And Hot Dogs

Hot dogs (literally!) are also best advised to avoid turmeric as it has a warming tendency. So if you and your dog are cold, have some turmeric!

Consult A Naturopathic Veterinary Surgeon

It is much better to consult with a naturopathic veterinary surgeon than risk getting any of this wrong. So go and see your natural veterinarian.

The clinical experience of thousands of people who use turmeric as naturopathic professionals, individuals and the pet owning public prove its worth. There are also increasing numbers of clinical trials being performed world wide with astonishing results.

Sadly, the pharmaceutical industry is, as usual, trying to prevent its use with scare tactics and attempts at discrediting the naturopathic research. However, I recently heard that Big Pharma is becoming interested in making drugs from the active components. Of course, this amazing root works much better whole, in common with all natural substances. Research is ongoing.