While living in the Pacific Northwest, I took my roommate / best buddy / canine pal Jack the St. Bernese on a day-long adventure, making several stops. As I photographed and hiked, Jack ran about to his heart's delight, freely jogging along trails and up and down wooded hillsides, searching for critters (especially squirrels), scents and other fascinating doggy attractions found in the wilderness.
Then we drove to a small and scenic city nearby, where I traversed the downtown area, stopped for drinks and souvenirs, playing the tourist, all with Jack by my side. At the end of our journey, we stopped along a scenic outlook at a dam and had one more quick jaunt. The day was full of exercise and the use of all eight of our combined limbs.
The next day, Jack had a slight limp, which worsened the day after. I couldn't palpate any particularly painful areas, but he favored his right front leg while walking. He had somehow overdone it - albeit while having fun - and his leg was sore.
Being a believer in natural medicines, I began searching for something to ease my dog's leg pain. At the top of home remedies for achy bones is turmeric, an inexpensive root and spice containing the anti-inflammatory agent curcumin. Working against aging joints and arthritis, turmeric is a top contender for keeping your dog moving.
Big Dogs
All dogs are susceptible to potential joint issues, but older dogs, those that have suffered injuries, and larger breeds are more likely to develop problems. Great Danes, German Shepherds, Retrievers, Newfoundlands and St. Bernards (among others) are especially vulnerable. It's a good idea to make turmeric a part of your dog's daily regimen, whether he's limping or not.
As a supplement to your older or previously-injured dog's diet, existing joint troubles and further damage to joints and cartilage can also be alleviated with turmeric. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, this food gets your sore friend moving and aids in loss of mobility caused by hip dysplasia.
Not only is turmeric a natural pain reliever, it stimulates the production of bile in the liver, helping to digest fats - a necessary part of a dog's diet. In fact, without a healthy fat source, curcumin isn't as easily absorbed. Helping to break down fats, meats, and other foods will also make your dog may feel more comfortable after eating.
But the Taste...
One problem with turmeric? It doesn't taste good, according to Jack anyway. Plain, unsweetened yogurt - high in calcium and protein - is also good for your dog. Add a few tablespoons of yogurt to disguise the taste of the bright yellow stuff, or mix the turmeric powder in with your pal's moistened dog food.
It is important to check with your vet to see how much turmeric your dog can handle daily, and/or use these measurements as a guide: small dogs (between 10-20 pounds) get about 1/4 teaspoon; medium dogs (between 20-50 pounds) get a half teaspoon; and large dogs (50-100 pounds) can have a whole teaspoon. Also check to make sure your dog can tolerate the turmeric by starting him/her off slowly and working it into their feeding schedule.
Jack's breakfast every day includes a heaping teaspoon of a mix of turmeric powder, ground flaxseed and crushed white mushrooms. (These foods in organic, ground/powdered form are available on Amazon.) Jack certainly doesn't relish any of the three, but he hasn't done any limping in a long time.
He has had his share of going up and down stairs, jumping off of beds and out of cars, and playing hard, though he's middle-aged now and has slowed down quite a bit. After years of carrying his large body on those long legs, I know I'm doing something good for him by helping him "dismount," taking it easy on him during walks on hard surfaces, considering his ability during hikes, and giving him turmeric every day to prevent bone and joint problems down the road.
Also a Superfood for Humans
Dogs aren't the only creature that'll feel better with the help of the bright yellow root after eating or a heavy workout. Turmeric is good for your dog's joints and digestion - and it's good for yours as well.
It also offers other health benefits for humans, including:
reducing fat deposits in the body
strengthening energy stores
supporting liver health
improving brain function
lowering heart disease risk
slowing or defeating cancer cell growth
promoting longevity
treating Alzheimer's Disease and depression
For human fare, mix turmeric with pepper so it's more bio-available, i.e. able to enter your circulation. As with meals for your canine friend, eating turmeric with good fats (like olive oil and avocado) also aids in absorption. Additionally, the helpful substance provides more benefits when it is mixed into a warm medium, like soup or hot tea. Curries also contain turmeric.
Turmeric is another superfood we're fortunate to have growing on this planet, good for dogs and good for humans, among other creatures.
More about turmeric for dogs (and people) can be found in the informative links below:
Commentaires