Is Natural best for your Dog?

There is an increased demand for high-quality natural supplements for dogs. This is due to the popular belief in what is good for you is good for your dog. There are numerous options available when it comes to natural supplements for dogs, so how do you know which one is best?

Turmeric for Dogs

Turmeric is becoming increasingly popular with its list of endless benefits such as:

• Joint health – Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, great for those dogs suffering from joint issues such as arthritis.
• Improves digestion by supporting the microflora in the gut to balance the good and bad bacteria.
• Supports the immune system through Curcumin’s positive effects on the cells.
• Skin and coat health – helps provide a healthy and shiny coat through its antioxidant properties.

Quality of Turmeric Supplements

When deciding which turmeric supplement is best your dog, there are a few things to consider:

• Where is the turmeric sourced? There have been some reports of turmeric powder from certain sources being packed with nasty fillers to make the quantity go further.
• Quality of the turmeric - has the turmeric been harvested including the full root? There are over 200 beneficial compounds within turmeric, but this can only be utilized when the full root is included. Extracts do not work as well (e.g. Curcumin alone)
• What is the Curcumin percentage? Curcumin is the most scientifically researched part of the root, which holds many antioxidant properties which are important to help inflammation caused by oxidative stress. A general rule is to ensure the Curcumin is at 4% inclusion or higher.
• Is it bio-available? Bioavailability refers to how the body can absorb the supplement. Turmeric is not water soluble and therefore needs to be fed paired with an oil as the carrier into your dog’s system. Not only that, but bodies also recognise Turmeric as a toxin and it is excreted out of the system quickly. Freshly cracked pepper (piperine) is important to get the longer lasting effects of tumeric.
• Is the supplement from a reputable company? There are so many different online marketplaces available out there so be sure to do your research on the seller before purchasing, this can be done by checking reviews of not just the product, but their service too.
• Is the supplement cost effective? Look after yourself as well as your dog. Is the supplement going to last you a good amount of time before having to re-purchase? Does it deliver value?

Great for your dog, even greater for the planet

One thing that is widely spoken about now is protecting our planet. When considering supplements, look at their impact on the environment. Surely it would be a bonus if we could reduce the size of our dog’s paw print, right? Quite a few natural supplements on the market tend to be organic and in turn have a smaller impact on the environment by providing more biodiversity but at the same time providing a bigger positive impact on your dog.

Turmeric powder vs Turmeric supplement

Why can’t you just use the turmeric which is in the everyday kitchen cupboard? Turmeric supplements are carefully formulated for dog consumption to ensure they get the benefits. The turmeric in your kitchen cupboard will have been formulated for culinary purposes and is often just for taste. Not only that, as mentioned above you need the oil and pepper paired with the Turmeric to reap all the benefits.

Are there any side effects with feeding turmeric to dogs?

The standard rule is to introduce changes to your dog’s diet slowly, it is best to start with very small quantities so that their digestive system can become accustomed. If you feed too much turmeric, then the body will discard it which can lead to loose stools or going to the toilet more frequently.

Turmeric can act as a natural blood thinner so if your dog is on medication for any medical condition then it is always best to take advice from your vet before adding supplements to your dog’s diet.

Antioxidants for dogs

Turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant and according to UK studies, antioxidants can help with cancer. It has been found that there is a possibility that Curcumin can slow down or even stop pre-cancerous changes. It is known that chronic inflammation is a cause of cancer and as stated before, turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory with many antioxidant properties.

Over time, oxidative stresses can build up in your dog’s body causing them to slow down and gain age related health issues. This is because the oxidation starts to attack your dogs’ proteins, DNA and cells. Antioxidants can help to slow down oxidation and in turn slow down ageing and other health issues.

Are turmeric supplements for dogs available in just tablets?

Although the most popular form of a supplement is powders and tablets, some dogs can be particularly fussy with things added to their food. The Golden Paste Company offer a variation of turmeric supplements for dogs in different forms from paste, capsules and even tasty chicken slices, so even the fussiest of dogs can get their daily dose of Turmeric!

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