There are many foods pet owners can offer their pets to improve their overall health and wellness. Among the most popular and well-rounded foods fed as a nutritional supplement is pumpkin. Pumpkin is not only fed as a tasty treat, it also offers an abundance of unique nutritional benefits for dogs.
Pumpkins are a type of winter squash, and are native to North America. Believe it or not, they’re technically a fruit. However, because they tend to taste less sweet and are more on the savoury spectrum, many categorize them as a vegetable.
What are the nutritional benefits of feeding pumpkin to your dog?
Pumpkins are an impressively versatile food with lots of taste and health benefits. Pumpkin is especially rich in vitamin A, which is essential for many functions including boosting immune health, maintaining muscle mass, and optimizing skin and coat health. They are also rich in other vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B2, and vitamin E. Plus, they contain an abundance of essential minerals like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, folate, and more. These minerals help regulate blood pressure, assist in metabolism, and improve muscle health.
In addition to the many nutritional benefits found in pumpkin, it is also surprisingly low in calories, making it an ideal food for calorie-counting canines. For example, one cup (245g) of cooked pumpkin contains only 49 calories, and 0.2 grams of fat.
Pumpkin as a source of fiber for dogs
Whether fed fresh or in canned form, pumpkins are an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fibre for dogs. Soluble fibre helps lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar levels, whereas insoluble fibre helps carry food through the intestinal tract. This makes pumpkin a perfect food for dogs with digestive issues ranging from constipation to diarrhea. For dogs with diarrhea, the soluble fibre in pumpkin acts as a sponge, absorbing excess water in the colon. This results in more regular bowel movements. Pumpkin is among the most popular and most effective home remedies for treating digestive issues in pets.
Other benefits of feeding your dog pumpkin
Pumpkins are a great source for antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the cells in our bodies from free radicals, which are unstable atoms that can damage healthy cells, resulting in illness. The antioxidants found in pumpkin help neutralize potentially harmful free radicals, reducing damage to healthy cells. Antioxidants are linked to reduced risk of certain types of cancer.
When we think about giving our pets pumpkin, many of us overlook the benefits of pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are an abundant source of Omega 3 fatty acids, which serve a number of crucial roles in the body, most notably brain and eye health. Omega 3 fatty acids also help reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, aid in heart and kidney health, and more.
Because of its high water content, pumpkin is also an effective way to add more moisture to our pet’s diet. This is especially important for pets fed dry kibble, as many of today’s cats and dogs live in a constant state of mild to chronic dehydration. The extra moisture will help improve urinary tract function, skin and coat heath, and more.
How much pumpkin should I give my dog?
The general guideline for adding pumpkin to our pet’s diet is 1 teaspoon of pumpkin per 10lbs of body weight per day. Unsweetened canned pumpkin is the best and easiest option. However cooked and pureed pumpkin is also perfectly fine. With regards to feeding pumpkin seeds to pets, 1 ground pumpkin seed per 10lbs of body weight per day is recommended.
When in doubt, start with a small amount of pumpkin and gradually increase as needed until desired results are achieved. Too much pumpkin may result in digestive issues like gas, bloating, and cramping.
There are many ways our pets can enjoy pumpkin in their diet. Whether it’s canned or fresh, pumpkin is a very versatile food with many applications. Pumpkin can be fed as a stand alone food, combined with other foods, baked into treats and cookies, and pumpkin is even found as a feature ingredient in many of today’s healthy commercial pet foods.
Pumpkin is a delicious and nutritious food that will improve your pet’s quality of life in many ways.
Can I combine the stringy part the pumpkin with the inside wall as well.
Hello, Chris. Thanks for reaching out!
Absolutely, you can combine the stringy part of the pumpkin with the inside wall. The stringy part (often called the “pulp”) and the flesh both contain fiber, which can be beneficial for pets’ digestive health. Just make sure to remove any seeds, as these can be a choking hazard. If you’re planning to feed this to your pet, always introduce new foods in small amounts and monitor for any adverse reactions.
I hope this is helpful.