Turmeric for dogs: is it a good idea?

July 02, 2019

Turmeric is the new wonder ingredient. But can it alleviate joint stiffness? And is it safe for dogs?

Turmeric, the golden spice, has spread far beyond curries and you see it everywhere now – in tea, in smoothies, in coffee.

How do you pronounce ‘turmeric’? Turns out it’s 't ur-mer-ic’ not ‘too-mer-ic’.

Talking of which, have you ever tried a turmeric latte? It’s a glorious sunflower-yellow drink that looks wonderful on Instagram, especially if you frame it against a blue sky background. But the taste? Let’s just say it’s one you acquire rather than immediately love.

What’s the buzz about turmeric?

Turmeric, also known as golden paste, is a tropical plant that originates in India and is part of the ginger family. For centuries, it’s been used as a culinary spice, particularly in curries, where it adds a subtle flavour and a characteristic golden colour.

The average Indian diet contains around 2,000–2,500 mg of turmeric a day.

Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin, a polyphenol that’s said to have anti-inflammatory properties and to increase the amount of anti-oxidants that the body produces.

Turmeric in dog food

You might have noticed that there’s turmeric in your dog’s kibble. However, this ingredient is usually there to enhance colour and flavour, rather than for any anti-inflammatory effect it may have.

Should you give your dog turmeric?

We all want to help our pets to stay as active and healthy as possible, so it might sound like a good idea to give your dog turmeric, given its reputed health benefits.

At Lintbells, we always keep an open mind about new ingredients for our natural supplements - and turmeric is definitely on our radar.

However, at the moment, we’re not using turmeric in our joint supplements for dogs for a few reasons.

Dog eating out of bowl

Scientific back-up is missing

First, there simply isn’t the scientific research to back up the use of turmeric to soothe joint stiffness in companion animals. As you know, at Lintbells, we’re sticklers for scientific proof. We want you to know that you’re getting high-quality ingredients that are proven to work.

In fact, we could only find one study (from back in 2003) into the effects of turmeric on dogs, and the owners’ assessment of the results wasn’t statistically significant.

Finding the one

Another reason we’re holding back is because the turmeric family is large and sprawling, with around 133 species identified worldwide.

Our favourite names include Tall Hidden Ginger (Curcuma angustifolia), Rainbow Curcuma (Curcuma aurantiaca), Chocolate Zebra (Curcuma gracilliam) and Emerald Pagoda Ginger (Curcuma harmandii).

It may well be that one of those 133 species has amazing properties. But the first task would be to identify the right one. And, again, the scientific proof isn’t there yet.

We’re picky about ingredients

To give a comparison, we use Hyaluronic Acid in YuMOVE, as this is an important part of the synovial fluid that helps lubricate and cushion your dog’s joints. There are many different types of Hyaluronic Acid available and it would be easy to find 100 types that don’t have the right scientific evidence base and wouldn’t perform effectively to alleviate joint stiffness.

Instead, we’ve selected one particular kind of Hyaluronic Acid with a specific molecule size that is scientifically proven to do the job we want it to do.

As things stand with turmeric, we wouldn’t be happy just to choose one of 133 varieties, put it in a supplement, and hope that it achieves results. We’d want to see proven results from one type of turmeric, because we know that’s what you and your dog need and deserve.

Going to great lengths for Green Lipped Mussels

GLM hands

We take care to get the best possible ingredients, ensure they’re of the highest quality and are scientifically proven to work.

That’s why we’ve gone to the other side of the world to source ActivEase® Green Lipped Mussels for our YuMOVE range of dog joint supplements. These shellfish are only found in the crystal clear waters around New Zealand. We have our own unique supply and make sure they are farmed in a sustainable way so that our ingredients are as pure and effective as they can be.

This particular type of Green Lipped Mussel contains a highly concentrated form of Omega 3, which is proven to soothe stiff joints. We carry out stringent testing on every single batch of Green Lipped Mussel powder we produce, so we can say with confidence that we offer the world’s top strength Green Lipped Mussel.

Together with high levels of Glucosamine and Hyaluronic Acid, this forms an essential part of our advanced YuMOVE formula that helps with stiffness, aids recovery after exercise and promotes mobility.

What’s more, a clinical research study by the Royal Veterinary College proves that YuMOVE works in just six weeks.

Tail-wagging approval

Here’s what people are saying about YuMOVE on TrustPilot.

“Excellent product! YuMOVE has really helped our senior Cocker Spaniel lead a fuller life. I’m thinking about taking it myself!”

“My 14 yr old Staffie had stiff back legs and was struggling to walk...she is now on YuMOVE Plus and within weeks of using YuMOVE her mobility has improved immensely.”

“My two elderly ladies, ( 16 & 12 yrs old), do seem to have a better quality of life since taking this supplement. They are more active and seem happier in themselves. I have tried other brands, but have not seen any improvement, so was very happy to have these results for them. They are into their second month now and I will continue to use the tablets, which the girls gobble up!!”

Try YuMOVE today

If you’re inspired by these stories to try YuMOVE for your dog, have a look at the YuMOVE range on our site. It’s the scientifically proven, natural formula that dogs love.