It’s pumpkin season! It is in drinks, the smell of candles, in pies, in breakfast, in pasta, and in everything else, but can your dogs eat pumpkin? Get all the answers below!
Is Pumpkin Safe For Dogs?
If you’ve ever wondered “can dogs eat pumpkin?” The answer is yes, dogs can eat pumpkins, but is it safe?
Pumpkin is safe for dogs and is even considered a superfood. But this only applies to pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling). Pumpkin is high in micronutrients and fiber making it a great addition to a dogs diet.
Benefits of Pumpkin For Dogs
Pumpkin is on par with bananas for dogs. It is packed with fiber and vitamins, while also being pretty starchy. Keep reading to learn all about the health benefits of pumpkin for your pup!
- Minerals and Vitamins: Pumpkin has vitamin A, C, and E as well as iron and potassium. The vitamins help boost the immune system while the iron and potassium help with muscle and kidney health.
- Fiber: You know all those strings you find when carving a pumpkin? That’s all fiber! Fiber helps maintain a healthy digestive tract and can be particularly helpful for dogs suffering from diarrhea.
- Prebiotics: These are important bacteria for the digestive tract. Prebiotics are a great way to strengthen their digestive health.
Pumpkin can also be a useful addition if your dog is on the bland food diet, adding fiber and nutrients!
Risks of Feeding Pumpkin
While the answer to the question “can my dog eat pumpkin?” is yes, there are some precautions to be aware of.
- Fiber: While fiber is great for the digestive tract, too much fiber is bad for the stomach and can cause upset belly.
- High in Calories: Pumpkin is a high calorie food and should only be given in moderation. As with any food additive, they should make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily diet.
- Watch for Additives: Can dogs eat pumpkin puree and can dogs eat canned pumpkin? Well, yes but not if they have additives! Often times canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree is actually pumpkin pie filling and not 100% pumpkin. Only 100% pumpkin should be given to dogs.
- Allergies: If your dog has never had pumpkin before, give them a very small amount and monitor them for any allergic reactions in the next few hours. This could be difficulty breathing, swelling, hives, coughing, or diarrhea.
More Pumpkin Facts and Questions
There are so many parts to a pumpkin and so many ways it is found in store. While it is generally safe, you may wonder about something more specific. Here are some commonly asked questions about pumpkin to hep you help your pup live their best life.
Yes, dogs can have pumpkin guts in small amounts, just be sure to remove the raw seeds. Dogs should not eat raw pumpkin seeds, which can cause intestinal obstructions.
No, dogs should not be given the pumpkin skin or stem. These are too hard for a dogs stomach to digest.
Yup! Raw pumpkin (not the skin) is great for dogs in moderation.
This depends. Dogs should not be given excess sugar and fat. If the pumpkin bread is the kind from Starbucks with all the brown sugar on top and butter, then no your dog should not eat pumpkin bread. But, if the pumpkin bread is just pumpkin, flour, eggs, and coconut oil – then yes your dog can have that pumpkin bread.
Similar to pumpkin bread, dogs should generally not have pumpkin pie because of the added sugar and fats.
Ways to Serve Pumpkin
Pumpkin can be added in so many ways to your dogs diet!
- Raw and Frozen: Raw pumpkin puree can be added to anything and enjoyed as is or frozen. This could be on top of their food, inside of a KONG, in a dog popsicle, or in a pup cup.
- Baked: Pumpkin makes a great base for dogs treats. Some of my favorite ways to use it is in a dog cake or in homemade pumpkin dog treats.