Pumpkins are a sign of fall and go hand and hand with Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Watching this video of a cute puppy playing with a pumpkin reminded us that although pumpkins may be an amusing toy for some, it has many health benefits for pets as well. Enjoy this cute video and consider including pumpkin to your dog’s diet. Check out below for reasons why pumpkin is a good supplement for pets.
Upset Tummy
Pumpkin is a good source of dietary fiber and can help with constipation, diarrhea and indigestion. It’s easy to find canned pumpkin (puree) is many pet food retail stores. Most dogs love the taste (mine sure do) so it’s easy to give right off the spoon as a treat or mix it in with their meals. A table spoon or two is recommended.
Seeds?
Yes, you can feed your dog pumpkin seeds but it’s recommend that you bake the seeds first and do not salt them. Per PetMd, the seeds are a good source of omega 3 and can have an anti-inflammatory effect. But only feed one seed at a time and only a few in one setting.
Additional Health Benefits
Beta-carotene – The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that beta-carotene may help prevent cancer.
Potassium – An essential electrolyte. SELF Nutrition Data reports that one cup of cooked pumpkin is good for muscular contraction and recovery from activity.
Vitamin C – Important for it’s antioxidant and immune system supporting effects.