In small amounts, turmeric is generally safe for healthy dogs, and its main compound, curcumin, is being studied for joint comfort. The catch: curcumin is poorly absorbed, dog studies are small, and there is no established dose. That makes a measured product, cleared with your vet, a better bet than a spoonful from the spice rack.
Each Everhound Hip & Joint chew contains 50 mg of organic turmeric root powder, alongside glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and four other listed actives. Here is what turmeric can and can't do, who should avoid it, and how dosing and golden paste fit in.
Turmeric vs. curcumin: what's the difference?
Turmeric is the ground root of Curcuma longa, a plant in the ginger family. Curcumin is its best-known compound and the source of its yellow color (NCCIH).
Curcumin makes up only a small share of the dried root by weight, while commercial extracts are far more concentrated (Kępińska-Pacelik and Biel, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023). So "curcumin for dogs" on a package usually means a concentrated extract, while "turmeric root powder," as on the Everhound label, means the whole ground root. The two are not interchangeable milligram for milligram.
Is turmeric safe for dogs?
For most healthy dogs, modest amounts are well tolerated. In a three-month trial with 42 dogs, a diet containing curcuminoids was well tolerated, and the only issue reported was mild, short-lived diarrhea that also showed up in the placebo group (Comblain et al., BMC Veterinary Research, 2017).
Problems become more likely as the amount goes up. PetMD notes that high doses of turmeric can act as a blood thinner and upset the stomach (PetMD). In people, curcumin has antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects and can raise bleeding risk alongside blood-thinning drugs (El-Saadony et al., 2025), and highly absorbable curcumin formulas have been linked to liver injury in some people (NCCIH). Curcumin can also make the gallbladder contract (Kępińska-Pacelik and Biel).
Talk to your vet before giving turmeric in any form if your dog:
- takes a blood thinner or any other daily medication
- has a bleeding disorder or surgery coming up
- has gallbladder or liver disease
- is pregnant or nursing
And if your dog gets into a jar of turmeric supplements, call your vet.
What the research says about turmeric for dog joints
A handful of dog studies exist, and the results are mixed:
- In a 2017 placebo-controlled trial, 42 dogs with osteoarthritis ate a diet with a curcuminoid extract, hydrolyzed collagen and green tea extract for three months. Gait measurements on a force plate did not differ from placebo, though vets recorded less pain on manipulation in the supplemented group. The study was funded by a pet food company (Comblain et al.).
- A small 2026 study of 18 analyzed dogs reported improvements over 42 days with a water-based turmeric extract, but it had no placebo group and most of its authors worked for the extract's maker (Tripathi et al., Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2026).
- A 2022 systematic review of joint supplements for dogs and cats described the turmeric results as conflicting (Barbeau-Grégoire et al., 2022).
Absorption is the hurdle researchers keep running into. Curcumin is poorly absorbed, quickly metabolized and quickly cleared from the body (Hewlings and Kalman, Foods, 2017), which is why many study products use special formulations.
The fair summary: turmeric is a botanical worth watching, not a substitute for veterinary care. A dog who is limping, crying out, or suddenly struggling to stand needs a vet visit, not a spice.
Turmeric dosage for dogs
There is no established turmeric dose for dogs, and suggestions vary widely. PetMD has cited roughly 15 to 20 mg of turmeric per pound of body weight per day, while research products used very different forms and amounts, from whole-diet blends to concentrated extracts. Because products differ so much, follow the label of the product you use or the amount your vet gives you, start low, and don't stack several turmeric sources at once.
Everhound Hip & Joint has 50 mg of organic turmeric root powder per chew. Serving goes by weight, one chew a day under 25 lb up to five over 100 lb, so that is 50 to 250 mg a day. It is a modest amount, included as one part of a daily formula rather than as a stand-alone turmeric regimen. The full chart and tips are in how to give joint chews with food.
Golden paste for dogs: what to know
Golden paste is a homemade mix of turmeric, water, oil and ground black pepper. The pepper is there for a reason: piperine, its active compound, has been reported to raise curcumin absorption by up to 2,000% in people (Hewlings and Kalman), and NCCIH notes that pairing curcumin with piperine is a common way to boost absorption.
Before you make a batch, weigh these points:
- Piperine also slows enzymes that break down many drugs (Kępińska-Pacelik and Biel), so check with your vet first if your dog takes any medication.
- Better absorption cuts both ways: NCCIH warns that highly bioavailable curcumin formulas may harm the liver in people.
- The oil adds calories, which matters for dogs who need to stay lean.
- Homemade batches vary, so you won't know how much curcumin your dog actually gets.
- Turmeric stains fur, bowls, counters and hands bright yellow.
Golden paste isn't something to combine casually with a supplement that already contains turmeric. Pick one approach and run it by your vet.
Everhound Hip & Joint pairs organic turmeric root with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, yucca, egg shell meal and vitamins C and E in a chicken-flavor soft chew, each listed by amount. It supports joints, cartilage, and mobility. See the ingredient studies on our science page; every jar has a 60-day money-back guarantee.
FAQ
Can dogs eat curry or other foods made with turmeric?
The turmeric isn't the main worry. Curries and many savory dishes often contain onion and garlic, which belong to the Allium family and are poisonous to dogs (Pet Poison Helpline). Keep people food with these ingredients away from your dog.
Is organic turmeric better for dogs?
"Organic" describes how the plant was grown, not how much curcumin it contains or how well it is absorbed. What matters most is a clear amount on the label and a product made for dogs.
How long does turmeric take to work in dogs?
Dog studies on turmeric and curcumin products have run from about six weeks to three months, with mixed results, and not every dog responds. If you see no change, or your dog's mobility gets worse, talk to your vet rather than raising the amount.
Can I give turmeric with my dog's other joint supplements?
Often, yes. Turmeric is commonly combined with glucosamine and other joint ingredients. Check the labels so you don't double up on turmeric, and ask your vet if your dog takes any prescription medication.