Turmeric for Dogs

Turmeric for dogs: how much is safe, and does it actually help joints

The right amount of turmeric depends on the extract's concentration, but the canine research on curcuminoids points to real joint-comfort benefits at the amount used in a purpose-built supplement.

How much turmeric is safe for a dog

There isn't one universal number, because the right amount depends on a dog's size and on how concentrated the turmeric extract is. Raw turmeric powder sprinkled on food is much weaker than a standardised curcuminoid extract, so the two aren't directly comparable.

That's why Broono doesn't ask owners to guess: Move includes a fixed amount of turmeric per serving, sized within a chew formulated for a dog's daily routine rather than measured out by hand. If you're supplementing turmeric outside a purpose-built product, it's worth checking the concentration with your vet rather than assuming any amount is automatically safe.

What the research in dogs actually found

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in dogs with osteoarthritis tested a diet supplemented with curcuminoids, hydrolysed collagen, and green tea extract, and found benefits for owner-assessed comfort and function. A separate 2025 meta-analysis of curcumin in osteoarthritis (in people) found consistent reductions in inflammatory markers across multiple randomised trials, supporting the mechanism behind why curcuminoids are studied for joint support in the first place.

Turmeric wasn't tested alone in the canine study, it was one part of a supplement formulation, which is consistent with how Broono uses it in Move: alongside boswellia, ginger, glucosamine, and chondroitin, plus piperine to help the curcumin actually get absorbed, rather than as a single ingredient expected to do all the work.

Turmeric vs boswellia: do you need both

Turmeric and boswellia are often searched as alternatives, since both are botanical anti-inflammatories studied for joint comfort in dogs. They work through overlapping but distinct pathways, curcuminoids and boswellic acids respectively, which is why Move includes both rather than picking one over the other.

If you're comparing the two for a dog that's never had either, there isn't strong evidence that one is categorically better. The research base for boswellia in dogs, including placebo-controlled osteoarthritis trials, is at least as developed as turmeric's, so the practical answer is that combining them is well supported by the available formulations research rather than being a case of picking a winner.

Side effects and safety notes

At the amounts used in dog supplements, turmeric is generally well tolerated. The main caution in the human literature is gastrointestinal upset at large amounts, and turmeric can interact with blood-thinning medication, so check with your vet before starting if your dog is on any medication, particularly anything affecting clotting.

As with any new ingredient, introduce it gradually and watch for any change in stool or appetite over the first week.

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Hip & Joint