Add The Health Benefits Of Pumpkin to Your Dog's Diet

I've been adding healthy pumpkin to my dogs' diets for quite some time.  In the Fall, when I'm feeling particularly ambitious, I make pumpkin mush from Halloween pumpkins for Icy and Phoebe.  Through most of the year however, I buy canned pumpkin at the pet store or grocery store for them. 



My dog with a pumpkin!  Pumpkin is beneficial to both dogs and cats

The canned pumpkin you find at the grocery store usually contains sodium and sugar, even the organic brands, often up to 10 grams of it!  My dogs love pumpkin and I want the health benefits associated with pumpkin, but I don't like adding extra salt or sugar to my dogs' diets if I can help it.



My dogs love pumpkin!  I love the health benefits it provides for them.

I've never had any luck finding pure canned pumpkin with no added salt or sugar at the grocery store, so I was thrilled when I found canned pure pumpkin at PetSmart!  It's made by Authority, which is PetSmart's own brand of pet food, so I trust it for my dogs. 

Dog Pumpkin in a can

When I first spotted it on the shelf at PetSmart, I turned over the can expecting to see sugar and salt in the ingredients list like the brands I've seen at the grocery store.  To my delight, there is just ONE ingredient listed - PUMPKIN!!  Finally, I found pure, unadulterated pumpkin in a can!  I don't know how I missed this in all my weekly trips to PetSmart!?  Later on I found cans of pure pumpkin at Target as well, by Market Pantry which is Target's food brand.  We like that brand of pure pumpkin too.

I started giving Phoebe pumpkin because she was often constipated.  She would strain while defecating and scoot on the rug afterwards.  I was looking for a natural source of extra fiber for her rather than other types of stool softeners for pets.  Pumpkin was the perfect choice because it's high in fiber, it's healthy, and she loves the taste.  It helps her tremendously.  Icy loves pumpkin too, although she doesn't need the extra fiber like Phoebe does.  Pumpkin provides these added health benefits for both of them:

** Low in fat and cholesterol

** Helps calm an upset stomach and provide an immune system boost

** Contains beta-carotene, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C

** Made up largely of water so it’s a great way to provide extra moisture as well as fiber.  

ACCORDING TO PETMD:

** The oils in both the flesh and seeds of pumpkin can help support urinary health in dogs (and cats too according to PET360).

** A great source of fiber, pumpkin can help with digestive regularity.  If your dog is either constipated OR has diarrhea adding pumpkin to their food can be beneficial.  I add 1 to 2 tablespoons to Icy and Phoebe’s food, but consult your Veterinarian about amount and frequency of adding pumpkin to your pet’s diet.

** Canned pumpkin is low in calories, so if your dog needs to lose weight replacing some of their food with pumpkin may help your pooch slim down.  I've read that it’s recommended not to replace more than 10% of your pets diet with pumpkin.  Don’t give your dog too much pumpkin, too much could have negative effects!

** The fiber contained in pumpkin can also help move furballs along a cat’s digestive tract and into the litter box.   Small amounts of canned pumpkin, about a teaspoon a day, given to cats can help prevent furballs from forming as well.

** The antioxidants and essential fatty acids contained in pumpkin seeds help moisturize your pet's skin and fur from the inside out.

A tablespoon of canned pumpkin added to my dog's food daily keeps their digestion regular

I like to either mix pumpkin directly in with my dogs regular food or give it to them stuffed in a Kong toy.  Sometimes I mix the pumpkin with banana, stuff it into a Kong, and freeze it as a special treat on a hot day.  Icy and Phoebe love that! 

IMPORTANT:
Raw pumpkin is not healthy, it should be canned or cooked.  ALWAYS consult your Vet before adding any new food to your pet’s diet, even foods labeled as "natural" or "organic".

Authority canned pumpkin is made in the USA.  No foreign Jack - O' - Lanterns in this can!

NOTE: I was not compensated by anyone in any way for writing this post, I am sharing my own experience and opinions.  I am not a Veterinarian or Vet Tech, nor do I play one online! I am sharing what I have learned on my own and what my own experience has been in adding pumpkin to my dogs' diets.

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