Turmeric for Dogs: Is Golden Paste Worth the Hype

This turned into a longer article than I anticipated, and it’ll cut off in the email. I tried to shorten it, but I didn’t want to take away any information. You can read the full article at RawFeederLife.com.

Turmeric has become one of the most talked-about “superfoods” in the dog world. From golden paste recipes shared in Facebook groups to turmeric-infused pet products lining store shelves, pet parents are left wondering:

Is turmeric actually beneficial for dogs - or just another wellness trend?
And if it is helpful… is golden paste the best way to use it?

Let’s break this down with science, common sense, and real-world practicality.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a bright yellow root from the ginger family, traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

In dogs, turmeric is most often used to support:

However, turmeric itself is not the magic ingredient - its benefits come from specific compounds inside it.

Turmeric contains several bioactive compounds called curcuminoids, with curcumin being the most studied.

Curcumin is known for its:

Curcumin is poorly absorbed on its own. That’s why traditional preparations pair turmeric with:

This is where golden paste comes in.

Before we touch on golden paste, let’s discuss two common forms of turmeric: fresh turmeric root and dried turmeric root powder. While they come from the same plant, they behave very differently in the kitchen - and in your dog’s bowl.

Fresh turmeric root looks similar to ginger and contains:

Best uses for dogs:

When used in broth, turmeric root contributes gentle anti-inflammatory compounds that infuse into the liquid alongside collagen, gelatin, and minerals.

Turmeric powder is made by drying and grinding the root, which:

Best uses for dogs:

Powder is preferred when turmeric is being used intentionally for its curcumin content, especially alongside fat and black pepper to improve absorption (aka golden paste).

Golden paste is a homemade mixture of:

The goal is to improve curcumin absorption - but effectiveness depends heavily on dosage, consistency, and the individual dog.

Yes, but with caveats.

Golden paste can be helpful for some dogs, particularly for:

However, it is not universally appropriate, and it is not the most efficient delivery method for every dog.

Not everyone has access to turmeric powder. Technically, we can use the root to make golden paste, but it’s not ideal.

Here’s why turmeric powder is the better choice for golden paste:

Golden paste was developed specifically around turmeric powder because it allows:

Always start low and observe stool quality.

Golden paste is not appropriate for dogs who have:

Side effects are usually dose-related and include:

These are signals to reduce or discontinue, not push through.

Because turmeric is a popular supplement, people make the incorrect assumption that human supplements are all their dogs’ need. But it’s important to know that not all turmeric is equal.

Avoid bulk, unlabeled, or suspiciously bright powders. I source turmeric powder from natural, whole food grocery stores or local co-ops. I shop where the health nuts get their food.

Many human turmeric capsules:

Do not give human turmeric supplements to dogs unless specifically formulated for pets.

Curcumin has been studied extensively for its role in human treatment; many have attributed the findings to dogs:

Research suggests potential benefit as adjunctive support for:

Avoid turmeric/golden paste in:

Curcumin’s blood-thinning and angiogenesis-modulating effects may be counterproductive in these cases.

Ingredients

Instructions

Ceylon cinnamon (not cassia) may:

Use sparingly; only Ceylon cinnamon, as cassia cinnamon is higher in coumarins, which can lead to liver damage over time.

Conservative starting dose: ¼ tsp per 10 lb body weight, once daily

Work up slowly over 7–10 days if tolerated.

To give you an idea of how much dogs should be given based on varying weights, I’m using my dogs as an example. I primarily make golden paste or use Green JuJu Kitchen's Lua’s Fermented Golden Paste, splitting the dosage between two meals and taking 30-day breaks.

I regularly use the following products with my dogs:

There are no veterinary studies that directly measure or compare blood curcumin levels in dogs consuming these specific formulations. So, I used the following criteria:

Individual dogs may absorb and tolerate turmeric differently based on health status, gut function, medications, and overall diet.

Golden paste can be helpful, but it is not essential.

For many dogs, other whole-food options provide equal or better benefits, including:

Golden paste works best when:

It is not a cure-all, and more is not better.

If a dog tolerates turmeric well and has a clear need for inflammatory support, golden paste can be useful. But for long-term health, foundational nutrition and diverse whole foods matter more than any single supplement.

Balance over hype. Always.

Most turmeric and curcumin research focuses on mechanisms of action, cell-culture studies, animal models, or standardized supplements. Evidence for homemade golden paste specifically in dogs is limited, which is why turmeric should be viewed as supportive, not foundational, and always used with intention.

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