Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin: How Much Pumpkin to Give a Dog? (2023)

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Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin? You may be asking this question if you want to share an autumn squash treat with your dog.

When you think of fall, the foods that come to mind are probably the main ingredients for some of your favorite holiday meals, such as bread and lattes, pumpkin-flavored cakes, and pumpkins.

It’s tempting to share these treats with your dog in honor of the season, but is pumpkin good for dogs that he can enjoy? or maybe you have heard that pumpkin is good for an upset stomach. Humans can eat pumpkins, so is it safe for dogs? Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds?

The short answer is yes, and dogs can eat pumpkin, both the pulp and seeds. The pulp is low in calories, and the mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber makes it an effective remedy for diarrhea and constipation.

Here’s what you need to know about feeding pumpkins to dogs, including the health benefits of feeding pumpkins for dogs with diarrhea, the best ways to introduce this new food to your dog’s diet, and how much pumpkin to give a dog.

What Are the Health Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs?

Pumpkin is good for your dog’s health for many reasons. It is packed with vitamins and nutrients that your dog’s body needs to function, including:

• Vitamin A: helps your dog’s immune system and vision
• Vitamin C: supports the enzymatic reactions in the body. Body and collagen production.
• Alpha-carotene and vitamin E: antioxidants that regulate enzymatic activity and prevent free radical damage to cells.
• Calcium: Keeps your dog’s bones and teeth strong and supports cytoplasmic functions.
• Iron: Tracks your dog’s hemoglobin levels. Up, helps the flow of oxygen at the cellular level.
• Lutein: Promotes the health of your dog’s eyes, skin, and coat.

Pumpkin is also full of fiber, which helps dogs feel full more quickly without necessarily consuming too many calories. This makes pumpkin an excellent food choice for dogs who are slightly overweight.

Pumpkin may also aid digestion in dogs suffering from constipation or diarrhea. If your dog is suffering from these digestive issues, try mixing your dog with a tablespoon of canned pumpkin with the regular food.

Is Pumpkin Bad for Dogs?

Unfortunately – yes, pumpkin can be harmful to dogs if you overdo it.

Since pumpkin is high in fiber, your dog’s stomach may get a little upset if he eats too much at once. Pumpkin is also rich in Vitamin A, and too much can be toxic in dogs. If you notice that your dog is not eating, throwing up, is lethargic, or showing other signs of discomfort, contact your vet.

So how much pumpkin for dogs is the right amount? “[Pumpkin] should not exceed 10 percent of your dog’s diet ”, says Dr. Dougherty. “ Even more can cause nutritional imbalances and prevent them from effectively absorbing other nutrients, including protein. ”

Canned Pumpkin for Dogs

If you are considering canned pumpkin for dogs, read the nutrition label to ensure your dog is getting pure pumpkins with no added ingredients. And it would help if you always avoided canned pumpkin pie mix.

“ Canned pumpkin pie mix contains many added spices, which can cause toxicity,” says Dr. Dougherty. “ In fact, it contains added sugars, making it up to 281 calories per cup, which can quickly add to the pounds in small animals. Some canned pumpkin puree contains up to 600 milligrams of added sodium per cup, which can harm pets with heart and kidney disease. ”

And make sure you never feed your dog pumpkin pie. Like canned pumpkin pie mix, a fully baked pumpkin pie can contain ingredients that can harm your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Pumpkin?

You may also be wondering: “ Can Dogs Eat Raw Pumpkin? ” To be safe, stick with cooked or canned pumpkin, which is easier for dogs to break down and digest, says Dr. Dougherty.

Pet parents should try to keep their dogs away from whole pumpkins at this time of year. When eaten “, the stems of fresh pumpkins can splinter and cause abrasions to the gastrointestinal tract,” says Dr. Dougherty. “ The skin is also callous and does not digest well, leading to a risk of GI obstruction. ”

How Much Pumpkin to Give a Dog?

As with everything else, you can very well have too much of a good thing with pumpkin.

• If you include pumpkin in your dog’s diet to treat diarrhea or constipation, add one to four tablespoons to the regular dog food. Is fine, but start with a little bit of pumpkin and work your way up to larger amounts to make sure your dog has no sensitivity or negative reactions. Dr. Woodnutt explains: “ Adding extra fiber to the diet can help dogs with chronic, mild diarrhea. However, too much fiber can also cause diarrhea, so caution is advised. ” Regarding specific amounts, Dr. Leslie Brooks, DVM, and BetterPet advisor: “ We usually tell dog owners to give canned pumpkin to make stools firmer in case of soft stools or diarrhea, but in small amounts – no more than 1 tablespoon for a dog of a giant/large breed or 1 to 2 teaspoons for a small to medium dog, once or twice a day. ”
• Make sure your dog drinks plenty of water when adding pumpkin or other high-fiber ingredients to his diet to avoid dehydration.
• Put on weight about the maximum amount of pumpkin to feed your dog: Small dogs can eat a teaspoon or so per day, while large dogs can handle a tablespoon or two.
• Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A, but too much Vitamin A can be toxic to dogs, so when in doubt, give Fido less instead of more.

If you are not. “ If you are unsure about how much pumpkin your dog can safely eat, check with your vet.

Can I Give My Dog Pumpkin Everyday?

Make sure your dog drinks plenty of water when adding pumpkin or other high-fiber ingredients to his diet to avoid dehydration. Weight gain in terms of the maximum amount of pumpkin to feed your dog: Small dogs can have a teaspoon or so per day, while large dogs can handle a tablespoon or two.

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?

Pumpkin seeds contain a wide variety of antioxidant phytonutrients and are excellent potassium, magnesium, and calcium (important for bone formation). They are a good source of healthy oils and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

Dry/roast and then grind them in a food processor, high-powered blender, or food grinder. As with any new food, you should start slowly when including them in your dog’s feeding schedule.

Calorie count for Pumpkin Seeds: 126 Kcal / 3.5 oz.

Preparing Pumpkin Seeds

Place the seeds and fibrous pulp attached to them in a sieve and rinse, removing as much thread “ as possible.” Dry and place on a baking sheet in a 300 ° F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Grind the seeds after they have cooled in a food processor, coffee grinder, or blender. Store in a glass jar.

How to Feed Pumpkin to Your Dog

Both raw and cooked pumpkins are safe for your dog to eat. There are many different ways to feed pumpkin to your dog, including:

• Pumpkin treats
• Canned pumpkin
• Cooked pumpkin
• Pumpkin seeds or meat

Dogs love the taste of pumpkin, so there are many different ways to serve it. Pumpkin treats seem like the best choice and the easiest choice. You can find regular pumpkin treats or pumpkin treats with added flavors. Either way, dogs will go crazy for pumpkin! If you decide to give your dog a spoonful of canned pumpkin, make sure it is pure and free of harmful sugars.

Dogs love cooked pumpkins, and it is relatively easy to prepare. Diced cooked pumpkin is a great treat to give, or try mashing the pumpkin for your dog. When cutting pumpkins, this is a great way to put the seeds to good use. Just dry roast the seeds and let your dog enjoy them. Make sure not to add salt or oil to it!

If your dog LOVES Pumpkin, he can enjoy it all year round in these delicious treats!

Can Pumpkin Help With Constipation In Dogs?

At the other end of the spectrum, pumpkin can also help with constipation in dogs. The Merck veterinary handbook states that adding 1 to 4 tablespoons of pumpkin per meal to the diet of a dog suffering from constipation can help relieve mild constipation. It’s important to make sure dogs are well hydrated every time you increase the fiber content of their food, as dehydration can worsen constipation.

It is also necessary to find out why your dog is constipating. Consult your vet to make sure your dog does not have an enlarged prostate, foreign material or bones in the colon, or any other problem that could be an emergency if not addressed properly.

Pumpkin is an easy and affordable way to treat your dog’s diarrhea. If your dog is suffering from diarrhea or constipation, a tablespoon of pumpkin can ease his anxiety. If pumpkin doesn’t help clear up your dog’s diarrhea, talk to your vet and see if there are other supplements or medications you can try.

How to Store Pumpkin for Your Dog

Chances are you have some pumpkin left. No problem! To keep your extra supply:

• You can freeze pumpkin puree (and if you want to make frozen treats, freeze it in an ice cube tray to get loose pieces).
• If you are going to use the rest of your pumpkin relatively quickly, put it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator.

Final Thoughts

To keep your dog healthy, you need to take quick action when you notice that your four-legged friend isn’t feeling like himself.

We hope you now understand how much pumpkin to give a dog for constipation, as well as some of the considerations to keep in mind to ensure your pup gets the most out of the natural dose.

Most importantly, constipation can also be a sign of other underlying conditions, such as bones in the colon and an enlarged prostate, so if the squash doesn’t help resolve it, contact your vet immediately.

A vet will help you determine the cause of the problem and develop other medications and supplements instead.