Pumpkin season is upon us and we are sure that at least once you have wondered if your dog can eat it. You will be amazed to know that this vegetable is able to bring numerous benefits to the body of our puppies, whether they are dogs or cats. If you are curious to know what they are, continue reading this article.
The benefits of pumpkin…
1. Helps digestion
Pumpkin is a food rich in fiber and contains important vitamins and minerals as well as potassium and iron. Giving pumpkin to dogs in small doses helps digestion a lot. According to the American Kennel Club, pumpkin's soluble fiber increases stool volume by absorbing water. Additionally, fiber fermentation produces beneficial fatty acids that provide energy to cells and stimulate the absorption of sodium and water. The fiber present in pumpkin lowers the pH level by providing necessary nutrients to the beneficial bacteria in the gut and inhibits harmful bacteria.
2. Helps in case of diarrhea or constipation
In the event that cases of diarrhea occur in dogs, it is quite common for veterinarians to recommend a fiber-based diet or recommend the addition of probiotics, which are supplements of bacteria beneficial to the intestine. Pumpkin being a fiber-rich vegetable also acts as a probiotic by stimulating the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the intestine and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria .
Pumpkin is also a valid help against constipation in dogs; Adding a small amount to each meal can help your puppy relieve mild constipation . In any case, before making any decision it is essential to seek advice from your trusted veterinarian.
3. Natural antioxidant: helps the urinary tract
Pumpkin has natural antioxidant properties; taking it can help clean the urinary tract by stimulating urination and helping to eliminate small infections of the urethra , ideal for dogs suffering from incontinence.
Even pumpkin seeds , if cleaned very carefully, toasted and chopped, can be given to dogs and cats in small quantities. They are foods rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, ideal for promoting healthy skin and fur. Furthermore, the oils contained in the pulp are a source of vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, potassium and iron, all ideal elements for strengthening the immune system.
4. Soothing effect: anti-hairballs
Dogs and cats shed a lot of hair, this can cause the problem of hairballs, i.e. those accumulations of fur that form when the animal licks itself. Hairballs, once in the stomach, if not properly disposed of, can give rise to attacks of violent vomiting. Even in this case pumpkin can help us, in fact in the form of puree it has a great soothing effect which allows you to eliminate hairs stuck in the esophagus ensuring their perfect expulsion.
Which pumpkin to choose?
Both fresh and canned pumpkin are rich sources of fibre, but it must be considered that canned pumpkin has a higher concentration of fiber and nutrients than fresh pumpkin, which instead has a higher concentration of water.
As for canned pumpkin, you need to choose those without salt, sugar and other additives that irritate the animal's stomach.
If it is not easy to find canned pumpkin, you can opt for powdered pumpkin produced specifically for pets. Never use cake mixes because they contain xylitol which is extremely toxic to dogs.
Some advice on how to cook it
Pumpkin must always be fed to dogs and cats cooked. The preparation methods must be very simple, ideal if boiled, steamed or baked. Just like for humans, this vegetable when eaten raw is difficult to digest. It must never be fried or seasoned with spices, salt or sugar and above all never give the pulp present in the heart of the pumpkin or the peel.
A tasty idea could be to cook real pumpkin dog biscuits, using very few natural ingredients such as wholemeal flour, pumpkin puree, 1 egg. If you don't have time to prepare it with the right attention, we recommend using foods already available on the market, such as our Happy Farm dog snacks available in two versions: salmon and pumpkin and duck and pumpkin .
