Is Pumpkin Good For Dogs?
Not only do pumpkins have incredible health benefits for us humans, but they’re also super yummy, nutritious, and easy to come by since they’re in season during fall. But have you ever wondered: is pumpkin good for dogs? Let's find out!
Is Pumpkin Good For Dogs?
Pure pumpkin is good for dogs and in fact has various health benefits for our furry friends. It needs highlighting that pumpkin with added ingredients such as Xylitol and spices is not suitable to be fed to dogs. You also need to be aware of how much pumpkin to feed your dog, so they don't overdo it.
Read on to discover the top 10 pumpkin health benefits for your pup.
10 Pumpkin Health Benefits For Dogs
1. Provides Nutrient-Rich Goodness
Pumpkin offers a whole host of essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins A, C and E, iron, potassium, and more.
2. Boosts Immune Health
Pumpkin contains vitamins and antioxidants that help to boost immune health and can help prevent certain cancers from developing.
While oxidants are a natural part of the immune system, too many can damage the body and antioxidants help to destroy free radicals in your pet's system. You can give your pet’s immune system a boost by integrating some pumpkin into their diet.
3. Supports Eye Health
Did you know that Vitamin A is essential for your eye health? What’s more, this vitamin has the same benefits for your furry friend, helping their eyes to remain in great condition.
4. Helps Skin and Coat Health
The Vitamin A and Zinc in pumpkin are great for your pet’s skin and coat. The high-water content also helps to keep skin moisturized and reduce shedding.
5. Aids Digestive Health
Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, so it's effective in aiding dogs' digestive health. Not only helpful in curing constipation, pumpkin can also help to cure diarrhea by solidifying runny stools.
6. Can Prevent Anal Gland Problems
The fiber in pumpkin can help to prevent your dog from having anal gland problems, sometimes caused by a lack of fiber.
7. Helps Urinary Health
Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants and also contain a healthy dose of Omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids help to prevent urinary incontinence in dogs, as well as kidney and bladder stones.
8. Controls Pesky Parasites
Another benefit of pumpkin seeds is that they contain the amino acid cucurbitacin, which is believed to remove parasites such as intestinal worms.
9. Helps with Weight Loss
If your pup needs to lose weight, pumpkin can be a useful tool due to the low number of calories it contains. In addition, the high fiber content will help your dog to feel fuller for longer.
10. Source of Hydration
The high moisture content in pumpkin means that it's a great source of hydration for your pup. If you're concerned about the amount of water they're drinking, a little pumpkin can help to boost their hydration levels, which is particularly important during hot weather. You could try adding canned pumpkin to some homemade chilled treats to keep them cool and hydrated at the same time.
Pumpkin is good for dogs, in fact, it's full of health benefits. Just bear in mind that it should only be offered in moderation and without added ingredients such as sweeteners. Check out our post 16 Common Foods That Could Harm Your Pup for a list of foods you should avoid giving to your dog, in addition to Xylitol. Want to add pumpkins into your wardrobe as well as your dog's diet? Check out our Halloween Collection to find fun pumpkin designs and lots more!
