Does your furry friend love pumpkin? Is it safe for them? Yes, dogs can eat pumpkin and here’s why and how.

Is pumpkin safe for dogs?

Yes, pumpkins are full of healthy nutrients and are safe for dogs to eat. However, not all parts of the pumpkin are safe for dogs.

• Pumpkin pulp: It is the stringy, gooey part in the center of the pumpkin and should be avoided.
• Pumpkin skin and stem: Avoid feeding your dog pumpkin skin and stems. It can cause an upset stomach and indigestion.

Before feeding canned pumpkin, check the ingredients list and read labels very carefully. 

Nutritional Benefits of Pumpkin 

Pumpkin provides several benefits for dogs. It contains essential nutrients and high soluble fiber content that make it a very nutritious food for dogs. This superfood contains vitamins A, C, and E and is vital for your dog’s brain and eye development. Pumpkin is also packed with minerals like iron and potassium.

One cup or 245 grams of cooked, boiled, or drained unsalted pumpkin contains  1.76 g of protein, 2.7 g of fiber, 49 calories (kcal), 0.17 g of fat, and 12 g of carbohydrate.

Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of pumpkin for dogs:

• Improve your dog’s coat: Vitamin A and zinc in pumpkin improve your dog’s skin and coat. 

• Good for eyes: Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A and promotes eye health. It prevents the development of night blindness and other eye degeneration issues.

• Immunity booster: Pumpkin is a fresh source of antioxidants. Also, pumpkin contains vitamin C that is integral for your dog’s immune health.

• Stomach another: Pumpkin is a natural stomach soother and helps to regulate a dog’s digestive system. Pumpkin helps to remove excess water in your dog’s digestive tract.

• Aids in doggy diarrhea: If your fur buddy has diarrhoea, fiber in pumpkin can help make your dog’s stools more firm and regular. 

• Stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria: The prebiotic properties of pumpkin regulate the growth of good bacteria in your dog’s intestines and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

• Aids in constipation: If your dog is constipated, adding pumpkin to its diet can help ease mild constipation.

• Lower acidity level: It aids in lowering the acidity level of your dog’s large intestines.

• Weight control: Pumpkin can also help in weight control due to its high moisture and fibre content. It’s a good source of fiber, which may suppress your dog’s appetite. The fibre and water in the pumpkin will keep your dog full, so they don’t miss the extra calories.

• Prevent urinary incontinence: The pumpkin seeds prevent urinary incontinence. Pumpkin seeds contain a healthy dose of Omega 3 fatty acids. They have anti-inflammatory properties that can help dislodge kidney stones.

• Control parasites in dogs: Pumpkin can help to control dog parasites naturally. Pumpkins have high amounts of an amino acid cucurbitacin. It is toxic to many common dog parasites and helps to expel worms in ruminating canines.

• Tastes great: Most dogs enjoy the rich, creamy flavour of pumpkin. It can also serve as a delicious doggy treat. 

Pet parent tip: Remember that all dogs are primarily meat-eaters. They thrive and their body functions optimally on nutrients provided by animal meat.

Anti-Inflammatory effects of pumpkin for dogs

Pumpkins are anti-inflammatory because they’re rich in carotenoids. Also, pumpkins contain B-carotene, lutein, polysaccharides, phytosterols, unsaturated fatty acids, and peptides. This combination makes pumpkins a powerful source to fight inflammation.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in many antioxidants, which protect our cells from disease-causing damage and reduce inflammation in our bodies. They’re also a great source of dietary fiber, which can enhance this effect. Pumpkin seeds’ anti-inflammatory abilities can help maintain good function in the liver, bladder, bowel, and joints.

Final Thoughts 

The benefits of pumpkin for dogs makes it terrific food to include in your dog’s daily diet. Remember that a large amount of pumpkin can cause an upset stomach, even in healthy dogs. It is better to avoid feeding pumpkins to sick dogs as consuming apples might worsen the medical condition.

If you want to introduce pumpkin to your dog’s diet, then you need to be careful. It is probably a good idea to start slowly to see how your four-legged pal’s stomach reacts.

Does your dog enjoy eating pumpkin? Feel free to share your thoughts. We would be happy to hear from you!

References:

Ware, Megan. ‘What are the health benefits of pumpkins?’, Medical News Today, 1 November. Available at:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279610#nutrition (Accessed: 2 January 2022).

Burke, Anna. ‘​Can Pumpkin Help With Dog Diarrhea?’, AKC, 6 July. Available at:

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-pumpkin-help-with-dog-diarrhea/ (Accessed: 2 January 2022).

Yadav, Mukesh. et al. (2010) ‘Medicinal and biological potential of pumpkin: an updated review’, Nutrition Research Reviews, 23, 184-190.

Dyck, Amy. ’10 Health Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs’, HomeAlive, 27 April. Available at:

https://blog.homesalive.ca/dog-blog/health-benefits-of-pumpkin-for-dogs (Accessed: 2 January 2022).

Farmer, Vanessa. Can I Give My Dog Pumpkin?’, WebMD, 11 March. Available at:

https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/can-i-give-dog-pumpkin (Accessed: 2 January 2022).

Grewal, Gogi. ‘Health Benefits Of Pumpkin For Dogs’, Dogs Naturally Magazine, 12 December. Available at:

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/health-benefits-of-pumpkin-for-dogs/ (Accessed: 2 January 2022).

Braby, Emma. ’12 Health Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs – Based on Science’, Hepper, 2 December. Available at: https://www.hepper.com/health-benefits-of-pumpkin-for-dogs/ (Accessed: 2 January 2022).