Pumpkin is the perfect way to help your dog get in the mood for autumn, and with its numerous health benefits, it’s a treat they can enjoy safely. Among other known advantages, pumpkin keeps a dog’s urinary and digestive tract running smoothly thanks to a healthy dose of fibre. A teaspoon or two of plain pumpkin can be a great addition to your dog’s meals, and you can also bake up homemade pumpkin dog treats if you fancy it.
As always, check with your vet if you’re concerned about food allergies or sensitivities in your dog.
How to Serve Pumpkin to Dogs
Use pumpkin to treat dogs’ diarrhoea or constipation.
Pumpkin is great for your dog’s digestive health. Tinned pumpkin is a great natural remedy for constipation as well as diarrhea—yes, both! It doesn’t take much pumpkin to help provide relief. For small dogs, add two teaspoons of tinned pumpkin to their normal food, adjusting the amount to up to two tablespoons for large dogs.
Try pumpkin to help with weight loss.
While pumpkin itself won’t help your dog lose pounds, its high dietary fibre content can help with their overall weight loss. More fibre helps your dog feel full, even if you’re cutting back on their food portions. Again, add small amounts of pumpkin to their meal—only in this case, use it to replace a portion of their usual food.
Toss them a handful of roasted pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkin seeds contain plenty of healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants. The latter promotes urinary health, while the fatty acids found in pumpkin seeds can make your dog’s coat softer and shinier. If you’re planning to store the seeds to feed to your dog, be sure to roast them first. Fresh seeds can go rancid quickly, while roasted seeds last about a month.
Avoid Carved Pumpkins
While they start out as a healthy pumpkins, the moment they’re carved, they start collecting bacteria that can harm your pet. Your dog might be eager to help with the Halloween clean-up, but it’s best to just chuck out your carved pumpkins.