When you hear the word pumpkin, you probably don’t immediately think of something you’d feed your dog. Instead, images of jack-o-lanterns, pie, and anything and everything fall-related flood your mind. While you’re savouring your favourite pumpkin sweets and treats, your dog can enjoy one, too.
As it turns out, their nutrients offer our furry friends some important health benefits, especially when in pumpkin powder form, and we’re going to tell you all about them.
Why should I feed my dog pumpkin?
Holistic vets and other professionals suggest enhancing your dog’s diet with additional supplements that offer a sufficient amount of vitamins and other essential nutrients.
This is where pumpkin comes in. From small dogs to big, it can fill in the gaps where their regular food cannot. For instance, it’s not uncommon for a dog to experience significant health problems when faced with a Vitamin C or A deficiency, but due to pumpkin’s great health advantages, these can be averted.
As pet parents, we want what’s best for our furry friends, but that’s not to say you should only feed your dogs pumpkins (nobody would want that as their sole diet anyway). The tantalizing taste of pumpkin can act as a special treat or as a supplement that you add to your dog’s diet on a daily basis.
What is pumpkin powder for dogs?
In addition to canned pumpkin or other forms of the veggie that you’re used to seeing in stores, pumpkin can also be found in a soft powder form. Pumpkin powder is a supplement given to dogs which can serve as very beneficial in several different aspects of their lives. On top of its health factors, it’s also a time saver. Rather than going through the hassle of having to prepare pumpkin as an extra part of a meal, powdered pumpkin can be easily added to pet food.
What are the health benefits of pumpkin powder?
There are many different benefits that come with pumpkin powder. We now offer Bold by Nature+ Pumpkin with Inulin Prebiotic, a supplement that is used to support your pet’s digestive health. It also contains an added source of fibre, which helps to soothe digestive tracts and any sort of digestive upset your pet may be experiencing. The added inulin also aids in healthy intestinal bacteria which promotes favourable gut flora.
How to feed pumpkin powder to dogs?
There are a few ways you can go about this! We suggest giving your dog one dose of Pumpkin Powder with Inulin Prebiotic every day, but an exact amount will depend on their body weight. Our Bold by Nature+ Pumpkin with Inulin Prebiotic supplement comes with a handy scooper that will help you dish out the perfect dose hassle-free, every time. If you’re wondering how much pumpkin powder to give your dog, just follow the guide below:
- 10 pounds or less = 1/4 scoop
- 10 to 20 pounds = 1/2 scoop
- 20 to 40 pounds = 1 scoop
- 40 to 60 pounds = 2 scoops
- 60 to 80 pounds = 3 scoops
- Over 80 pounds = 4 scoops
Once you have your desired amount, mix it with equal parts of warm water. Then use a syringe to gently squirt into your pet’s mouth or into their food. In cases of digestive issues like an upset stomach, pumpkin powder can be given twice a day for 5 days.
What kind of food should I add pumpkin powder to?
You can add pumpkin powder right into your pet’s current diet! For added benefits, we recommend mixing it into a Bold by Nature raw recipe. A raw food diet is loaded with health benefits, like better joint health and a shinier coat, and mixing pumpkin powder in will only add to this terrific list.
To learn more about this diet, check out the health benefits of raw dog food or if you’re interested in making the switch, read from bland to bold: transitioning your pet to raw.
How will pumpkin powder help my dog with digestive upset?
The American Kennel Club says that pumpkin is a fibre-rich food that also contains important vitamins and minerals. The soluble fibre content in pumpkin powder adds bulk to your dog’s waste by absorbing water. From there, fibre fermentation produces beneficial fatty acids that supply energy to cells, stimulate intestinal sodium and water absorption, and lower the large intestines’ pH level.
The prebiotics found in pumpkin powder also stimulate the growth of these beneficial bacteria in your dog’s intestines and inhibit the growth of unhealthy bacteria.
These benefits can all help with cases of digestive upset. If your dog is experiencing more severe cases, please speak to your holistic veterinarian.
Are there any side effects of pumpkin powder?
Though pumpkin powder is not harmful to give to your pup, it’s important not to go overboard with the dosage. Adding too much fibre to your pet’s food could result in loose or soft stools. For help figuring out how much pumpkin powder to serve your dog, please refer to our feeding guide above.
Are there additional health benefits of pumpkins?
Known around the world as quite possibly the spookiest vegetable of all, the pumpkin is actually packed with a frighteningly large amount of nutrients. When ingested in a number of different ways, the nutrients found inside pumpkins can benefit your dog’s overall health or be useful in treating specific digestive or skin issues.
Rich in nutrients.
Low in calories. High in nutrients. Pumpkins are packed with potassium which helps regulate blood pressure, improves the health of muscles, and supports a good metabolism.
Furthermore, pumpkins also contain various vitamins, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and folate.
Great for eye health.
Pumpkins boast a great amount of Vitamin A (beta carotene), which is essential for eye health and crucial for brain growth. The zinc found in pumpkins is also beneficial to retina development.
An all-around immunity booster.
According to Amy Dyck of Homes Alive Pets, Vitamin C is known as the best immunity booster, but when mixed with Vitamin E, A, and other antioxidants found in pumpkins, it can prevent certain cancers from developing in dogs.
Puts the “P” in pumpkin.
It’s not just the flesh that provides nutrients, but the seeds as well! Pumpkin seeds contain antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids which are full of anti-inflammatory properties. These can help dislodge kidney stones and are known to prevent urinary health incontinence, which reduces the ability to hold in urine.
If you have any roasted pumpkin seeds left over after Halloween, you know who to share with. Just make sure they aren’t salted or flavoured in any way!
It’s got a hard-to-resist taste.
Think of your favourite home-cooked dish and how hard it is to resist that mouth-watering taste. Well, the same happens to go for dogs and pumpkins. Dogs are huge fans of its rich and creamy flavour, so if you’re ever trying to feed them something they don’t like, pair it with pumpkin and see your troubles fade away!
Helps maintain a healthy weight.
Thanks to their high moisture and fibre content, pumpkins are a great way to cut some pounds. Pumpkin fibre and the additional water it contains will keep them feeling full so they won’t be craving those extra calories.
Moisturizes the skin and coat.
The Vitamin A and zinc found in pumpkin can improve your pet’s skin and coat. The high water content in pumpkin flesh is also a great source of hydration and contributes to fresh, flexible skin and a glistening coat.
Drink in the benefits!
Dogs on a dry kibble diet don’t often consume water with their food and in addition, also don’t have a strong thirst drive. So how do you ensure your dog is getting a sufficient amount of water? With pumpkins, of course! Pumpkins contain a high moisture content and add more water to your dog’s diet easily and naturally.
If you’re looking to serve your dog a more consistently hydrating diet, we suggest trying one of our Bold by Nature recipes to promote a higher water intake. Each recipe contains high moisture content, meaning your pup will stay hydrated with every delicious bite.
What other ways can my dog eat pumpkin
There are many ways you can serve your dog pumpkin, but we recommend using Bold by Nature+ Pumpkin with Inulin Prebiotic, as there’s no preparation, making adding it to their diet a breeze. Here are a few other ways to enjoy pumpkin:
- Fresh pumpkin
- Canned pumpkin
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sugar-free pumpkin puree
What parts of the pumpkin should my dog avoid?
Dogs can eat mostly every part of the pumpkin except for a select few.
First, keep them from eating the pumpkin pulp, which is the stringy bits in the centre.
Secondly, don’t let them eat the stem. There is nothing of value there and will only upset their stomach.
We’d also avoid letting them chow down on a whole pumpkin. They won’t necessarily get sick, but it could make them constipated, create a blockage and ultimately, due to the high fibre content, cause loose stool, too.
How can a veterinarian help my cat with allergies?
If you suspect your cat may have a food allergy, you should speak to your holistic veterinarian as soon as possible before taking any other action. They will know best, can offer up an allergy test, and can help guide you toward what’s most suitable for your cat.
Typically, a food allergy will be detected by a physical exam. If your cat has obvious signs of a reaction, it’ll usually be visible quite quickly. If the reaction is digestive upset or another impact on digestive health, a diet change will generally help diagnose if the cat is allergic to a certain food.
