10 Health Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs

If your pet’s stool is a little loose, the little benefits of pumpkin for dogs can add bulk and form to your dog’s poop. The key is to understand how much pumpkin you should feed your dog, which we will discuss further.

We recommend having some canned pumpkin for dogs with upset stomachs on hand, even if your dog doesn't usually have digestive issues. Fruitables Digestive Supplement contains a lot of apple pomace, spinach, tomato pomace and ginger to help boost nutrition and soothe irritated stomachs and nausea. 

You can also try dehydrated pumpkin products, like Firm Up! To allow you to make just the right amount as you need it.

7. Pumpkin Can Help Naturally Control Parasites

Though the evidence for this is so far only anecdotal, regular pureed pumpkin inclusion in your dog’s digestive food may contribute to deterring parasites from inhabiting your poor pup’s gut. 

Parasites, such as tapeworms, can wreak havoc with your dog’s digestive system and cause unpleasant symptoms including weight loss, nutrient deficiency, dry skin, and a shabby coat.

Pumpkin has high amounts of the amino acid cucurbitacin, which is actually toxic to many common dog parasites and has been used to expel worms in ruminating animals.

Grinding up a teaspoon of ground pumpkin seeds and mixing them into canned food (or a little canned pumpkin!) is a good preventative measure, but don’t skip out on your pet’s usual treatment.

8. Pumpkins Aid in Weight Loss

Pumpkins have a high moisture and fibre content, which makes them a powerful tool for your pet’s weight loss.

Replacing a little of your dog’s regular food with canned pumpkin (a few teaspoons for a small dog up to half a cup with a large dog) can help your dog lose some excess water and weight.

Pumpkin fibre for dogs and the additional water in the pumpkin will keep them full, so they don’t miss the extra calories.

9. Pumpkin Hydrates

Many dogs fed a kibble-only diet suffer from mild, but chronic dehydration. Dry dog food has very low moisture content and dogs do not possess a very strong thirst drive.

This means that getting extra moisture content into your dog through drinking can be difficult. However, the high moisture content of pumpkin adds more water to your dog’s diet easily and naturally.

10. Pumpkin Tastes Great

Like many people, dogs relish the rich, creamy flavour of pumpkin. Anyone who has tried to feed a dog something healthy that does not taste like goodwill appreciates this benefit thoroughly.

Most dogs willingly lap up even plain-cooked pumpkin. But go ahead and add a pinch of cinnamon or honey to that pumpkin puree for dogs for a tasty treat.

Canned Pumpkin or Fresh Pumpkin?

Is canned pumpkin good for dogs? Canned pumpkin for dogs is not only very beneficial for your dog’s health but also a delicious meal topper for dogs. If you want to feed your dog the healthiest kind of pumpkin, then you should buy plain canned pumpkin. You would think fresh is better than canned, but that rule doesn’t apply in this case. 

Canned pumpkin contains a higher concentration of fibre and nutrients compared to fresh pumpkin. How can that be? It is because fresh pumpkin has more water than canned pumpkin, which results in a diluted concentration of nutrients. 

Where to Buy Canned Pumpkin for Dogs

What’s the best pumpkin for dogs? You don’t have to buy something specific for dogs, but it is a good way to make sure that the ingredients are safe for your pooch. For the best canned pumpkin for dogs, try an organic pumpkin puree for dogs, like Nummy Tum Tums.

Pumpkin products made for humans can be used, but make sure you check the ingredients. Pumpkin baby food for dogs can be a suitable option, so long as they are 100% pumpkin. Avoid sweeteners, lemon juice, or thickening agents or preservatives to be safe.

Also, avoid dog pumpkin pie filling or other sweetened or spiced canned pumpkins. Stick to plain canned pumpkins for dogs, preferably organic pumpkins for dogs.

How Much Pumpkin to Give a Dog?

While this seasonal treat can be a fantastic addition to your dog’s complete diet, you must feed the correct amount of pumpkin. It’s unlikely that your dog will overdose on any natural nutrient by consuming too much pumpkin pie filling.

When researching the question, “Is pumpkin ok for dogs?”  you’ll discover that squash is actually very safe, nutritious, and yummy when fed in moderation.

Still, if your dog overeats pumpkin, it could lead to a nutritional deficiency somewhere else or could mean your dog is getting too few calories. So how much pumpkin for dogs is optimal?

How Much Canned Pumpkin for Dogs?

Generally, 1 tsp of canned (or cooked and pureed) pumpkin per 10 lbs of body weight per day is a good standard to go by. If your dog has a health condition such as diabetes, please talk to your vet before feeding the pumpkin to your dog.

How Much Raw Pumpkin for Dogs?

As a general rule, treats (including fruits and vegetables) should never exceed 10% of your pet’s daily caloric needs.

For puppies and very small or underweight dogs, only feed pumpkin in tiny amounts as a treat.

Are Pumpkin Seeds Good For Dogs?

Have you ever wondered if pumpkin seeds for dogs are okay? Well if you were thinking, can giving dog pumpkin seeds help make my dog better, the answer would be yes.

Pumpkin seeds for dogs are even more helpful than the actual pumpkin itself.

Pumpkin seeds contain a lot of vitamins and minerals your dog may lack, such as vitamin A, vitamin B, magnesium, folic acid, calcium, zinc, and niacin.

They also contain trace minerals such as manganese, potassium, iron, and sodium. Pureed pumpkin seeds are also full of antioxidants, which help prevent heart disease, stroke, cancer, and dementia.

How to Feed Raw Pumpkin Seeds for Dogs

All seeds, though loaded with nutrients, contain phytic acid. Phytic acid is considered an anti-nutrient, meaning it can inhibit the absorption of nutrients during digestion.

Soaking your seeds is the best way to remove the phytic acid from raw pumpkin seeds. Here’s an easy 4-step guide to preparing pumpkin seeds for dogs:

1. Soak

Soaking your seeds will help leech out the phytic acid. Soaking the seeds in water for about 10-12 hours is the best method. Phytic acids will bind with minerals, so sprinkle in a small amount of salt to help the process. You don’t need a lot, only about ¼ tsp for 4 cups of water. 

2. Wash

After soaking, you need to drain, rinse, and repeat. Much like rinsing the starch off of your rice before cooking, this process will remove the salt and any phytic acid or enzyme inhibitors that have been pulled from the seeds. 

3. Dry

Spread your seeds out on a baking sheet lined with a paper towel or a clean dish towel to absorb any excess moisture. Let them sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours. This step isn’t required, but it will make them easier to chop or grind. 

4. Grind

The cells of seeds, as well as those of all plant matter, contain cellulose, which is an indigestible fibre. This makes them difficult for your dog to digest. Breaking up the cellulose will improve digestibility and allow your dog to get the most out of this nutritious food. You can chop the seeds with a knife to break down some of the cellulose linings, but the best way is to place them in a food processor and finely grind them into a rough powder.

The ground seeds can be stored in an airtight jar and kept in the fridge for up to a month. Note that if you haven’t dried your seeds, then your nut powders' shelf life is significantly reduced. 

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds 

Pumpkin puree for dogs is great, but sometimes your pooch might want a crunchy snack. You can feed pumpkin seeds raw, but you might also want to consider roasting the morsels.

Cooking pumpkin seeds is a quick and easy task that’s fun for the whole family and will break down the phytic acid so that your dog can reap all the benefits of pumpkin seeds. Simply deshell and bake the seeds on a cookie sheet until golden brown. Once they are cooled, they can be ground or fed as a small crunchy snack. 

Benefits of Roasting Pumpkin Seeds for Your Dog

Are you wondering “is pumpkin good for dogs? The answer is, ‘yes,’ and so are pumpkin seeds! Below are just a few benefits of roasted pumpkin seeds for canines:

• • • Easy to Carry Snack:  Once the pumpkin seeds are roasted, you can carry them to the dog park or anywhere in a plastic container or sandwich bag to function as a quick snack. You can even use the seeds as a training tool to reinforce good behaviour. When your dog sits, lays down, or performs some other command then give the pup a seed or two as a reward. 
    • Meal Topper: Why not add pumpkin seeds to your dog’s food for a tasty treat? Your pooch will enjoy the texture and the added flavour. 
    • Added Nutrition: When wondering what pumpkin does for dogs? You’ll be happy to learn that pumpkin seeds are a fantastic source of zinc, magnesium, iron, potassium, and phosphorus. 

Also, the USDA National Nutrient Database shows that a single ounce (28 grams) of the seeds provide the following:

• • • 126 calories
    • 5.5 grams of fat 
    • 15 grams of carbohydrates
    • 5.3 grams of protein 
    • 5 grams of total dietary fibre 

How Do I Serve Pumpkin to My Dog?

Your dog can enjoy pumpkin in a variety of ways. Many pumpkin treats, canned foods for dogs containing pumpkin, and pumpkin supplements can easily be fed to your dog.

For their safety, ensure that you provide your dog only supplements and treats designed with dogs in mind. Simple canned pumpkins can also be fed to your dog, but be careful not to feed pumpkin pie filling or any canned pumpkin with added sweeteners or spices.

Cans should be good for 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator, portion out, and freeze in individual servings for a longer-lasting alternative (ice cube trays work perfectly). Store these properly to avoid freezer burn, which can affect taste and nutrient density.

You can also make your dog treats from canned pumpkin, but make sure that you include only safe ingredients for dogs in your recipes. Check out our favourite homemade pumpkin dog treat recipes for ideas.  

You can also feed your dog cooked pumpkin that you make at home. Prick a few holes in a pumpkin and bake at 350F for 45-60 minutes.

Cube or puree for a tasty, home-cooked dog treat! While pumpkin is safe for dogs, the flavour and texture improve with cooking.

Pumpkin seeds can also be fed to your dog, providing many benefits. Soaking seeds makes them more digestible, so the shell and soak your pumpkin seeds overnight. Once dried, they can be ground and added to your dog's meals or favourite treat recipes.

 

Pass the Pumpkin!

Is pumpkin good for dogs? Pumpkin is one of the most healthy foods you can feed your dog. With so many benefits, it is unrivalled by just about any other food choice. It is a versatile food for humans and dogs alike, so why not indulge together?

Additionally, dogs tend to love pumpkin, so why not feed them something so nutritious and a treat they love?

Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin For Dogs

What are the nutritional benefits of feeding pumpkin to dogs? 

Can pumpkin help with digestive issues in dogs? 

Is pumpkin beneficial for weight management in dogs? 

Does pumpkin have any positive effects on a dog's skin and coat? 

Can pumpkin be used as a natural remedy for seasonal allergies or skin irritations in dogs? 

How much pumpkin seed to feed dog?

Pumpkin seeds for dogs are high in fat and should be fed more sparingly. One ground-up pumpkin seed per 10 lbs of body weight per day is a safe amount. High-energy and working breeds can handle higher fat, so you can increase the amount, but make sure you don’t go overboard.