Tim Wall | DALL-E
Turmeric has gained attention as a functional ingredient in pet food, thanks to its historical use in folk medicine and emerging data suggesting potential health benefits, wrote Greg Aldrich, Ph.D., Kansas State University research associate professor, in his Petfood Industry column, “Turmeric: Ancient spice may offer osteoarthritis relief in dogs, cats.”
Here are 10 essential takeaways for pet food professionals about turmeric’s role in formulations.
- Traditional roots with modern appeal
Turmeric has long been used in folk medicine for conditions ranging from arthritis to liver issues. Interest in its potential for pets has followed rising human demand for functional ingredients. - Scientific evidence still emerging
While curcumin, a key compound in turmeric, has shown positive effects in human and lab animal studies, data in pets is sparse. Only limited short-term studies in dogs have been conducted, primarily on osteoarthritis. - Turmeric’s primary pet food use is as a colorant
Approved for use in pet food as a coloring agent, turmeric imparts a distinctive yellow-orange hue, commonly associated with mustard. It is also used to color dairy and condiments in human foods. - Low toxicity in humans suggests safety margin
Humans in turmeric-consuming cultures typically ingest 2,000–2,500 mg/day without adverse effects, suggesting a reasonable safety profile, though similar pet-specific data is lacking. - Curcumin is the active compound of interest
Curcuminoids, particularly curcumin, drive turmeric’s purported benefits. Curcumin makes up 2–8% of turmeric and is extracted for pharmacological use, but may not reflect whole-spice performance in food matrices. - Turmeric powder may outperform extracts in some studies
Animal studies have shown turmeric powder to sometimes be more effective than purified extracts, though bioavailability remains a challenge. Enhancers like pepper (piperine), lecithin and oils may improve absorption. - Pet food applications are limited by unknowns
Data on digestibility, palatability and optimal dosing in dogs and cats is not available. Manufacturers typically include 0.05% to 0.25% turmeric in formulations for its antioxidant appeal. - Potential as a natural preservative
In one short-term study, turmeric-treated oils outperformed synthetic antioxidant BHA in preserving fish and flaxseed oil blends in pet food over 12 weeks. - Shared supply chain with human food raises cost
Turmeric for pet food comes from the same supply chain as that for human foods and supplements. This can lead to higher costs compared to typical commodity ingredients in pet food. - Formulation and manufacturing implications
Given its potent color and small inclusion rates, turmeric is best delivered in a premix. Manufacturing sequencing may need adjustment to prevent cross-contamination due to color bleed.
As the industry continues to cater to aging pets and consumer interest in natural ingredients, turmeric remains a promising yet under-researched functional ingredient.
