Looking for something new to give your pup that he’ll love (and is actually healthy)? Look no further than pumpkin for dogs! While your pet can’t have a sip of your pumpkin spice latte, this Fall favorite gourd is something many dogs enjoy that’s extremely nutritious as well.
Michelle Johnson of Dog Treat Kitchen and author of “Easy Dog Treat Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less!” says “Pumpkin is a popular dog treat ingredient simply because dogs enjoy the flavor. It has a natural sweetness to it that most dogs love!”
However, the appeal of pumpkin goes beyond its appealing taste. Dr. Susan Lauten, who holds a doctorate in biomedical science and owns Pet Nutrition Consulting, adds that this doggy superfood is healthy as well. According to Lauten, “it’s high in vitamin A, potassium, magnesium and fiber.” If you’re thinking of adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet (Dr. Lauten says you can simply drop a quarter tablespoon in to your dog’s regular food)
Here are three health benefits it provides:
- Aids in Digestive Health
Adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet can help digestive issues, including both constipation and diarrhea, according to the Cincinnati Lab Rescue. Canned unsweetened pumpkin — not the pie filling — is full of fiber, which you already know is great for stomach aches and digestive problems in both dogs and humans. It helps produce regular, solid stools, which will in turn helps dogs with occasional or chronic upset stomach feel a lot better. It’s a tasty way to alleviate these problems that doesn’t feel as unsafe or mean as laxatives.
- Corrects Urinary Problems
The oil in pumpkin flesh (which is part of the pureed pumpkin you can find in a can) and seeds is also believed to support your dog’s overall urinary health. According to Pet360, there’s evidence that adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet can reduce the likelihood of kidney and bladder stones. You can soothe your dog’s pain from the stones while satisfying Fluffy’s cravings too — a win-win.
- Helps with Weight Loss
Dog obesity might not sound like a big deal, but according to The Bark, this condition can lead to a number of issues for your pet like exercise intolerance, cardiovascular problems and glucose tolerance imbalances. Fortunately, the same fiber that helps your dog’s digestive health can also help her feel fuller longer, which is a great way to encourage weight loss (along with more dog walks and other lifestyle changes, of course). The immense amount of vitamins in pumpkin also helps balance out your dog’s diet, and that’s the key to any successful weight loss plan.
Although there are several health benefits to introducing pumpkin for dogs, it’s possible to overdo it. Dr. Lauten says, “Pumpkin works in two ways. If stool is loose, the soluble fiber part of the pumpkin will absorb moisture and firm up the stool.
Too much, and the insoluble fiber makes everything move through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract too quickly, causing a loose stool.” Don’t know how much to give? Rover recommends two teaspoons of pumpkin for smaller dogs and you can raise it to two tablespoons for large dogs.
Though these issues are not life-threatening, if you start to notice any ill effects after introducing pumpkin, simply reduce the amount (or frequency) of the pumpkin intake and talk to your vet. Also keep decorative pumpkins out-of-the-way of your dog so he doesn’t get confused and eat your kid’s favorite jack-o’-lantern.
If you find your dog enjoys the taste of pumpkin a lot, and tolerates the recommended serving well, you can also introduce a few pumpkin treats. You can add dog treats to your fall baking list. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends several recipes, including pumpkin pie cookies for dogs. Johnson also recommends pumpkin treats with peanut butter, and the Maryland SPCA has a great recipe!
Though you may associate pumpkin flavors with the fall season, canned pumpkin and pumpkin treats are a great addition to your dog’s diet year-round. Not only do dogs love the taste of pumpkin, but your pet’s diet (and doctor!) will thank you.
For more healthy alternatives, read Is Coconut Oil Good For Dogs?
Amanda Kondolojy is a full-time freelancer with over a decade of caregiving experience.
