Golden Paste For Dogs: What Does It Do?

Many people are seeking to improve their wellness through their diets, and they extend that desire to their pets. There’s definitely value in taking a holistic approach to wellness. Being mindful about the products you use in your home and the food you serve to your family and your pets is always an excellent idea. Golden paste has become popular for both people and pets. The internet is full of recipes and premade golden paste formulations, and they’re typically featured with a preamble that lists all sorts of benefits. Don’t get too excited just yet — before you start purchasing ingredients, here’s what you should know about golden paste.

What Is Golden Paste?

Golden paste gets its golden color from turmeric, a spice used to provide flavor to dishes like curries and to naturally dye fabrics yellow. Turmeric is combined with black pepper, an oil (usually coconut oil), and water. Some recipes add other dog-safe ingredients for additional flavor or benefit. Turmeric is known for its antioxidant properties. Although turmeric is commonly cited for this benefit, it falls significantly below foods like beans, berries, and apples in terms of antioxidants per serving. Turmeric is best used as a supplemental form of antioxidants rather than a primary form of antioxidants. Turmeric also contains a compound called curcumin that has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory benefits. Unfortunately, curcumin is difficult for the body to use. Piperine, a compound naturally found in black pepper, increases the bioavailability of curcumin and makes it easier for your body to utilize. That’s why the two ingredients are often combined in turmeric-based wellness products. Coconut oil is said to promote healthy skin and shinier coats in dogs. When ingested, coconut oil is a significant source of saturated fat. Saturated fat is a “bad fat” known for raising cholesterol levels. The benefits of coconut oil may be more appropriate when coconut oil is applied topically as a skin protectant.

Is Golden Paste Safe for Dogs?

Golden paste is technically safe for most dogs, but there are upper limits. Turmeric is recognized as safe for dogs in small quantities. Giving your dog significant amounts of turmeric every day wouldn’t necessarily fit the criteria of “in small quantities.” Pet owners may want to swap coconut oil out for a healthier source of fat like hemp seed oil or extra virgin olive oil. Even though golden paste is unlikely to harm your dog in small amounts, you might want to think twice before you whip up a batch. Curcumin may provoke the gallbladder to contract, potentially causing significant pain for dogs with a history of gallstones. On the brighter side, this could also prevent health issues for dogs with unknown gallbladder issues since curcumin could bring these issues to light. Diabetic dogs shouldn’t have golden paste, or any food that hasn’t been approved by their veterinarian as a part of their diabetes management plan. Golden paste may have a lowering effect on blood sugar, causing unpredictable blood sugar levels. Dogs taking medications or following veterinarian recommended diets for the management of certain health conditions shouldn’t be fed foods like golden paste without prior veterinarian approval.

What Does Golden Paste Do for Dogs?

Turmeric is often touted as a miracle ingredient. Wellness enthusiasts on the internet make claims about turmeric for everything from inflammation to tooth whitening. Unfortunately, a lot of these purported benefits have never been clinically demonstrated. While it does have anti-inflammatory properties in humans, it must be used consistently and in conjunction with black pepper to deliver its modest anti-inflammatory benefits. While turmeric does have potential benefits, it’s important to keep these benefits in perspective. If turmeric provided a wealth of benefits to your dog, your dog would already be experiencing those benefits. Many kibble-style dog foods and dry dog treats use turmeric as a natural colorant. Turmeric has not been studied extensively in dogs. It’s generally accepted as safe as a natural food colorant, but there is a severe shortage of meaningful medical studies that demonstrate how dogs would benefit from long-term turmeric use. This also means there are no results or reports to indicate how significant amounts of turmeric are tolerated by dogs, and if any side effects can occur as a result of frequent use. Golden paste could possibly provide some modest anti-inflammatory benefits, but it won’t replace veterinary care or anti-inflammatory medication your dog may be taking. If your dog requires medical treatment for inflammation, golden paste is a shot in the dark. Your dog needs medication proven to work for animals.

Should I Give My Dog Golden Paste?

If you believe your dog is experiencing health issues relating to inflammation, you need to take your dog to the vet. Your vet will be able to assess your dog for inflammation, injuries, and conditions like canine arthritis. Golden paste cannot effectively treat medical conditions, and early intervention provides the best possible outcome. Don’t start using golden paste before a proper veterinary exam, and ask your vet if golden paste can safely be incorporated into your pet’s wellness plan if you still really want to give it a go (just know that chances are much higher that your vet will recommend something proven to be more effective).

Alternatives to Golden Paste

If your dog is otherwise healthy, it’s likely they’ll achieve better wellness support from a balanced diet and supplements that don’t interfere with that diet. There are plenty of things you can do to help your dog live a happy, healthy, and active life — here are two.

A Well-Balanced Diet

A well-balanced, fresh whole food diet that is fed according to weight-specific instructions on the food’s packaging is designed to help your dog meet their nutritional needs and maintain a healthy weight. Slowly transitioning your dog to a better quality dog food can improve your dog’s health and the way they feel. Overweight dogs often experience joint pain as a direct result of the increased burden on their joints. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight and giving your dog plenty of opportunities to exercise can reduce the pain and inflammation they experience by improving their general health. Many pet owners use fresh pet foods made with human food-grade cooked ingredients like whole chicken, rice, vegetables, and even tasty herbs. Print out the ingredients list and nutrition facts and bring them to your vet, allowing your vet to help you decide the best possible diet for your dog.

Pet CBD

If you’re looking for the right wellness supplement for your dog, ask your vet about CBD. VETCBD Hemp is one brand that was designed with your pet in mind. CBD extracted from hemp is a safe supplement for most pets. CBD works to support joint mobility, promote overall gastrointestinal health, and support overall brain health. It works without adding a wealth of saturated fat into your dog’s diet, too. VETCBD Hemp’s American grown hemp tincture is made with organic extra virgin olive oil. Your dog only needs a few drops every 8 hours to support overall joint mobility, making CBD an easier solution than golden paste. Put a few drops on top of your dog’s favorite food or administer it directly from the plastic syringe. Sources Top 20 Foods High In Antioxidants | St Johns Health Problem of Curcumin and Its Bioavailability: Could Its Gastrointestinal Influence Contribute to Its Overall Health-Enhancing Effects? | Oxford Academic Don't get tricked by these 3 heart-health myths | Mayo Clinic