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Golden paste is a natural food that's easy to make and comes with a host of benefits for dogs - why aren't you adding this to the bowl???

Golden paste is a popular DIY supplement with many benefits for our dogs. Having lost two dogs to cancer, turmeric is an important part of my dogs' diet and something easy to make and add to their meals.

Benefits of Turmeric (TOO-mer-ick) for Dogs

  1. Natural detox
  2. Anti-inflammatory
  3. Natural antibacterial
  4. Promotes heart and liver health
  5. Reduces blood clots that can lead to strokes and heart attacks by thinning the blood*
  6. Promotes digestive health
  7. It acts as an antioxidant, and it’s believed to be able to prevent cancer**
  8. Offers allergy relief
  9. It helps to prevent cataracts
  10. It has been used in the treatment of epilepsy
  11. Natural pain relief
  12. Natural treatment for diarrhea

*Side Effects of Turmeric for Dogs

Turmeric is a natural blood thinner. If you have a dog with an anemic condition or was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma, you should avoid golden paste or other products with turmeric as a main ingredient.

Most of the side effects I've read about were attributed to humans. I include them here because dogs new to golden paste may experience the following:

  • tummy upset
  • dizziness
  • nausea

Additional side effects of golden paste include:

  • worsening gallbladder problems
  • increased occurrence of bruising
  • decreased blood sugar
  • infertility
  • iron deficiency

In my reading, I found that these side effects aren't common if we stick to the recommended dosage and don't feed turmeric over an extended stretch of time. Like milk thistle and artemisia, taking a break is a good idea, and I tend to do one month on and one month off of these supplements.

** Turmeric May Prevent Cancer in Dogs

Curcumin extracted from turmeric is a renowned natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Research studies have shed light on its potential to inhibit free radical cell damage associated with cancer development. These findings underscore the question of whether curcumin is an effective antioxidant with anti-cancer effects.

Curcumin is a highly effective preventative tool, but it can also be utilized to manage the progression of certain diseases through its multifaceted mechanisms of action. Extensive research has demonstrated that curcumin possesses remarkable anticancer properties, effectively inhibiting the growth and proliferation of malignant cells by modulating various cellular signaling pathways. Among its numerous therapeutic benefits, turmeric has also been shown to target tumor cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed selectively.

Using Turmeric as a Dog Supplement

There are several ways to add turmeric to your dog's diet, including DIY golden paste and a couple of commercial products on the market. I avoid giving turmeric supplements formulated for humans because they aren't formulated for dogs.

You can find turmeric powder at natural grocery stores; speak with the lead in the spice manager to learn more about sourcing. And, while you're there, pick up some Ceylon cinnamon. If turmeric powder isn't available, here are a couple of more turmeric products for dogs:

Dog treats with turmeric are great but don't contain enough to offer the above benefits.

Recipe for Golden Paste for Dogs

I make my golden paste in large batches, storing the excess in the freezer.  Once thawed, the golden paste is good in the fridge for two weeks.

  • 3 cups of turmeric powder (sourced through our co-op)
  • 6 cups of water
  • 2 cups of organic coconut oil (or 1 cup of coconut oil and 1 cup of bone broth)
  • 3 tablespoons of freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of Ceylon cinnamon

Step 1: slowly warm the water on the lowest heat while I ground the needed pepper.

Step 2: mix the turmeric powder with the water and stir until it thickens.

Step 3: mix in the coconut oil and bone broth, and, finally, the pepper.  I turn off the heat and continue to stir.

Step 4: allow the turmeric paste to cool and transfer it into glass containers to freeze.

Dosage of Golden Paste for Dogs

For dogs new to golden paste, start with small amounts and build up because the paste can cause loose stool if too much is fed to your dog.  Turmeric paste leaves a dog's system quickly, so it should be fed with each meal.  I started my dogs off with 1/4 teaspoon in each meal and worked up from there to gauge their tolerance.  

Ultimately, you want to do 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight.

  • Start by adding 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of golden paste to each meal.
  • Every 5-7 days, increase the dosage by a small amount.
  • You've found your maintenance dosage once you notice pain relief, increased mobility, or decreased tumor size.

Some dogs may begin to smell like cat pee; adding Ceylon cinnamon to golden paste can prevent this smell.

Simple Ways to Add Turmeric to Your Dog's Diet

I add turmeric to the bone broth I make for my dogs.  Ten minutes before the bone broth is finished, I add 2 or 3 tablespoons of turmeric to the broth and then let it cool.

For more information on the usages of turmeric and turmeric paste for your dog, please visit the Facebook Turmeric User Group.

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