Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin?
These days, pumpkin lattes, breads, and other pumpkin flavored treats have found themselves engrained in our culture. So, if we love that pumpkin flavor so much, maybe our dogs will too. This leaves many pet owners asking themselves “is pumpkin good for dogs?”
While pumpkin has become a popular flavor choice for humans, we can’t always assume that what works well for our digestion will function in the same way for our pets. Before you start to feed your pup pumpkin, take a look at our guide below to learn more about the advatages of pumpkin and how to safely incorporate it into your dog’s diet.
Benefits of Pumpkin For Dogs
There are a surprising number of health benefits that pumpkin can provide dogs when combined with a complete and balanced diet. This includes helping deliver more fiber, promoting digestive health, and supporting their skin and coat health.
Natural Source of Fiber
Pumpkins are naturally rich in fiber and are available in many forms, making it a great way to naturally (and easily) offer your dog extra fiber when needed. Canned pumpkin has as much as seven grams of fiber per cup while fresh pumpkin typically offers three grams per cup.
Improves Digestive Health
If your pup is dealing with unpleasant digestive issues like an upset stomach or irregular bowel movements, pumpkin may be able to help. Pumpkin offers high amounts of fiber and can help promote regular bowel movements in dogs. Its natural digestive enzymes can also assist in breaking down food, easing the strain on the digestive system and promoting smoother digestion overall.
Support Healthy Skin and Coat
Packed with vitamin A and zinc, pumpkin is a superfood with benefits that can work to improve your pet’s skin and coat health. The nutrients found in pumpkin can also help make coats shiny and full.
Full of Antioxidants
Rich in vitamins A, E, C, calcium, and carotenoids like beta-carotene, pumpkin is an antioxidant powerhouse for your pup.
What Type of Pumpkin Products Are Best For Dogs?
There’s no shortage of pumpkin products for pets, but how do you know which to select for your dog and their diet? All natural canned pumpkin is the ideal option. But you want to be sure you’re closely looking at the can and its ingredients. You should look for a canned pumpkin with only one ingredient – pumpkin! Be sure there are no added sugars or preservatives.
Canned pumpkin pie should be avoided entirely — it’s not suitable for pets as it could contain xylitol which is toxic for dogs. If in doubt, look for a canned pumpkin which explicitly states that it is made only with natural pumpkin, like Nature’s Logic 100% pumpkin purée.
How to Start Incorporating Pumpkin Into Your Dog’s Diet
Before you begin adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet, it’s important to consult your veterinarian. They will be able to offer personlized guidance on how much and how frequently you should feed your pup pumpkin.
It is generally advised to start incorporating a small amount of pumpkin and increase it as needed over a period of seven days. It’s worthwhile to slowly build up the amount of pumpkin you serve, as dog’s with more sensitive stomachs are more likely to have an adverse reaction if they experience a change in their foods too quickly.
Before you begin adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet, it’s important to consult your veterinarian. They will be able to offer personlized guidance on how much and how frequently you should feed your pup pumpkin.
It is generally advised to start incorporating a small amount of pumpkin and increase it as needed over a period of seven days. It’s worthwhile to slowly build up the amount of pumpkin you serve, as dog’s with more sensitive stomachs are more likely to have an adverse reaction if they experience a change in their foods too quickly.
Should I Feed My Dog Pumpkin?
Pumpkin should be viewed as a topper or supplement to your dog’s food routine, and it should not take the place of a full, balanced meal. That said, when used in tandem with wet or dry food, it can assist dogs’ recovery from an upset stomach, plus supports longer-term health benefits. And, for picky eaters, it adds extra taste and texture that might encourge them to eat.
If you’re interested in including pumpkin in your pet’s diet, send us a message. We’d love to help!
