Curcumin for Cats
Today I have been again immersed in the CD-40 natural antagonist literature, but the post is still not ready. So, in the meantime, I have decided to post a couple of items on another topic that I am very interested in (for two obvious reasons!): cats and curcumin.
A blog reader who unfortunately has an ailing cat sent me a private message earlier today asking if I had ever heard of curcumin being given to animals. Well, it just so happens that I have. Another blog reader, Vince, treated his cat, diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a blood disorder, with curcumin. She is alive and well today. You can read Bella’s amazing story here: http://www.mo-driver.com/bella.htm
I would have no hesitation in giving curcumin to one of my cats in case of need. But how much curcumin? Well, my blog reader sent me a file about a kitty called Bud who was given curcumin to treat FIV (feline AIDS). The website is: http://goo.gl/KV4jg (updated in Jan 2012). The information on curcumin dosage is as follows:
“Because it stimulates bile flow, contraindicated if there is bile duct blockage or gall stones. Should be taken with food. to minimize irritation. One source places a therapeutic feline dose of curcumin at 50-100mg daily and cites 100mg/kg as a benchmark ulcerogenic dose in ‘animals.’ (Human dosage: 2000mg curcumin, 20mg piperine, divided three times daily; Bud’s Dosage: 225mg curcumin, 6mg piperine, divided three times daily between meals; second round, 200mg with piperine and 50 GDU bromelain, divided twice daily with meals.).”
My concern: six mg of piperine sounds like a lot for such a small dosage of curcumin. I wouldn’t give my cat that much. Indeed, I might even skip the piperine and try something else (some sort of fat that my kitty would find palatable).
I also found the following, which confirms the 50-100 mg/kg dosage: “At very high doses (100 mg/kg body weight), curcumin may be ulcerogenic in animals, as evidenced by one rat study. [...] Feline dosages are in the range of 50-100 mg daily of curcumin and approximately one-quarter teaspoon daily if using whole turmeric.” (see: http://goo.gl/xQaxl)
I will look into this matter more closely once I emerge from the world of molecular science.
Oh my, Margaret..
Cucumin for Kitties! Hope for cats.. and maybe a little more hope that it works for humans?
Keep up the great work.
Sunshine
12 Oct 07 at 5:33 am
I too will try turmeric for my cat’ Tora’ who has FeLV and the beginnings of lymphoma, he is currently on a mushroom blend that seems to be helping too, he has stomatitis too, so will only give 1/4 teaspoon a day and half of that at first, will let you know if it helps him
Thanks for the dosage information. I also take turmeric daily and feel better for it 
amanda
2 Jul 09 at 5:59 am
Our cat Miles (Chronic Pancreatitis w/secondary Diabetes) take’s 1/4 the human dosage (according to a vet site) because Cats metabolize faster than humans.
We both just started and I have to give him his orally, mixed with water and syringed into his mouth as he hates it in his food. We are both on week 2, and his blood sugar levels were over 600 and are now bouncing between 400 to 600. He’s our Vets first patient on Tumeric w/curcumin, so he’s very interested in how it works. So far, he’s become more active and for the first time in 3 months, can go outside without fear of him collapsing. Will keep you posted on and side effects (none so far) and benefits.
Thank you once again Margaret for the link here!
Teresa
12 Nov 11 at 7:13 am
Hello
We have a cat that we need to get some Turmeric into, we have tried it in some food he normally has from a foil pouch but he is SMART !!! arnt they all!
He knew there was something in the food only a very small amount but would not touch it.
Tried it with a small ball of chese surrounding the Turmeric same result.
Has anyone got a way of getting this Turmeric into there belovid cats???
We are strugling to find any way to do this …..
Please has anyone had any luck in getting there cats to take the Turmeric, PLEASE let us know how you did it.
THANKS, Peter, Lincolnshire, England.
Peter
22 Jan 12 at 7:44 am
Hi Peter, have you tried curcumin instead of turmeric? Curcumin, the active ingredient, doesn’t seem to have the strong smell that the spice turmeric has. But of course I am not a cat.
Another point: curcumin is also more powerful than turmeric, so you could use less of it.
I sometimes mix curcumin powder with my cats’ wet food. So far so good. They have never refused to eat, and believe me, my eldest cat is a tough cookie. She can detect anything…just like your cat.
Hope this helps…
Margaret
23 Jan 12 at 5:16 am
HI Margaret
Thanks for the the info on Curcumin, we will order some soon and give it a try on Ginger.
Hopefully it will be easier as it has no oder and not have the same strong smell as Turmeric, that will make it easier to get Ginget to take it.
Thanks again for all your help.
Regards, Peter.
Peter
27 Jan 12 at 7:35 am
Hi Margaret!
I bought 95% Curcumin extract in capsule form for my cat. Each capsule is 665 mg and I’m at a loss as to how to measure that down to 50 mg because the capsules aren’t all that large to begin with!
Is there some brand or different form than pill I should be using for easy measuring? I looked up liquid extracts but they contained alcohol.
Thanks for your post on this!
Jeanine
13 Mar 12 at 3:29 pm