The Benefits of Pumpkin

The benefits of feeding your dog pumpkin.

Feeding your dog pumpkin can offer many health benefits. Although it won’t prevent health problems, it is often used to assist them.

Did you know….

·      Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A and potassium which is important for a healthy coat, muscles, kidney function and is relatively high in fiber.

·      Pumpkin has been found to be helpful in improving gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea as the pumpkin’s fiber acts as a sponge soaking up water and helping the stool become firm. It is also useful in soothing upset tummies from something your dog ingested that doesn’t quite agree with him.

·      The fiber in the pumpkin keeps good gut bacteria flourishing and multiplying which can help to reduce inflammation, discomfort, and indigestion.

·      Fiber moves through the GI tract without breaking down which can help your fur friend feel full. We train a lot of Labrador retrievers who seem to always be hungry, so by adding 2 teaspoons a day to daily food regimen, we can keep them focused, calm, and full. For our smaller dogs, we feed one teaspoon a day of pumpkin.

Be cautious.

When adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet, be sure to avoid feeding raw pumpkin as it can actually irritate the stomach. For this same reason, avoid using pumpkin filling as it can be loaded with sugar, sodium, and spices. In our feeding program we use 100% pure unsweetened pumpkin from a can. We are cautious not to use too much pumpkin as it can cause GI upset causing diarrhea or uncomfortable, smelly gas. Trust me…you do not want that!

As with any nutritional advise, please check with your veterinarian prior to dietary changes in your pet.