While humans enjoy pumpkiny treats when the leaves start to fall, dogs can benefit from pumpkin in their diet, year-round. Pumpkin is a superfood for dogs — it’s a low-calorie, high-fiber ingredient full of vitamins and nutrients.
Learn why dogs benefit from this orange fruit and how you can safely include it in your pup’s diet.
3 Reasons Why Pumpkin is Good for Your Pup
Pumpkin is full of vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, and potassium. These nutrients support healthy eyes, skin, and coats in dogs. While your dog should be getting enough of these nutrients through their daily diet, pumpkin is a nourishing addition.
Whether served as a healthy snack or food topper, here are three reasons why pumpkin is beneficial for Fido.
1. Helps Keep Your Dog “Regular”
Pumpkins are full of fiber, which is good for your dog’s digestion. If your pup suffers from occasional diarrhea or constipation, ask your vet about including pumpkin in your dog’s diet. Many dogs with GI tract issues see improvement after adding natural pumpkin or pumpkin powder to their meals.
2. Useful for Weight Management
Natural pumpkin is low in calories and sodium. If your dog needs to lose a few pounds, it’s an ingredient for weight management. Pumpkin helps keep your pet full — plus, it’s a healthy substitute for fatty ingredients in homemade dog treats.
3. Boosts Dogs’ Immune Systems
Pumpkin is a natural source of vitamin C, which can boost your pup’s immune system and support joint health in older dogs. Keep your dog in tip-top shape and in good health with a regular pumpkin snack.
How to Include Pumpkin in Your Dog’s Diet
While pumpkin is a safe human food for your dog to enjoy, not all pumpkin is the same. Never give your dog pumpkin stems, leaves, skin, or raw seeds — and too much raw pumpkin can potentially upset Fido’s tummy. You may even have pumpkin pie filling in your pantry for fall baking, but don’t share this with your pet. Most pumpkin pie fillings contain sugar, spices, or the sweetener xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Types of Dog-Safe Pumpkin
These types and forms of pumpkin are safe to share with your furry friend:
Pumpkin dog treats. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart in the kitchen to give your dog wholesome, nutritious pumpkin snacks. Pumpkin is a popular ingredient in many snacks from natural pet brands, like Raw Dog Chews. Our pumpkin puffs and pumpkin collagen chews are made with all-natural powdered pumpkins. Order these treats for your dog online or find them in your local pet store that carries our products.
Plain canned pumpkin. If you want to add this orange delight on top of Fido’s meals, opt for plain canned pumpkin. You can find it at your grocery store, but make sure it doesn’t contain sugars, spices, or additives.
Roasted pumpkin seeds. Did you know that you can share cooked pumpkin seeds with your pup? They’re a crunchy treat that your dog will love. To make them, clean and roast the fresh seeds in your oven for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Whole, cooked pumpkin seeds are safe for medium to large dogs, but small dogs and puppies should avoid them.
You don’t have to wait for spooky season to share pumpkin with your pup. Whether your dog gets an occasional upset tummy or you’re looking for healthy snacks to feed your four-legged friend, pumpkin is a safe fruit for dogs to regularly enjoy.
Want to learn about other superfoods that are beneficial for your pet? Discover why you should also add joint-supporting collagen to your dog’s diet.