Is pumpkin good for dogs

Have you ever wondered if there are better foods out there to help preserve your dog’s health and ensure they live a long and healthy life

Significant research has been conducted in this area and the results are conclusive:  apart from a dog’s size and breed/genetics, diet has one of the biggest impacts on a dog’s lifespan and wellness - just like it is for us humans.

And this is why we have put such a big focus on raw dog food recipes and meal plans and why we have so many raw dog food meal plans to choose from - you can check them out here.

Is pumpkin good for dogs?

Yes, pumpkin can be good for dogs and is often used as a natural dietary supplement to address various canine health issues.

Pumpkin is safe and provides several potential benefits for dogs:

1. Digestive Health: Pumpkin is a good source of dietary fibre, which can aid in both constipation and diarrhea. It can help regulate bowel movements by adding bulk to the stool or providing moisture to alleviate constipation.

2. Weight Management: The fibre in pumpkin can also help dogs feel fuller for longer, which may be helpful in weight management and preventing overeating.

3. Nutrition: Pumpkin is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, which can contribute to a dog's overall health.

4. Hydration: Canned pumpkin contains moisture, which can help keep dogs hydrated, especially in cases of mild dehydration.

5. Digestive Upset: Pumpkin can be soothing for dogs with mild digestive upset or gastritis. It can help alleviate stomach discomfort and reduce irritation.

When feeding pumpkin to your dog, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Plain Pumpkin: Use plain, canned pumpkin puree without any added sugars, spices, or other ingredients. Do not use pumpkin pie filling, as it often contains sugars and spices that can be harmful to dogs.

2. Portion Control: Introduce pumpkin gradually into your dog's diet and monitor their response. Small to moderate amounts are usually safe, depending on the dog's size and specific needs.

3. Consult Your Veterinarian: If your dog has a chronic digestive issue or dietary concern, consult your veterinarian before adding pumpkin to their diet to ensure it's appropriate for their specific condition.

4. Fresh vs. Canned: While canned pumpkin is convenient and safe for dogs, you can also use fresh cooked pumpkin or even freeze-dried pumpkin treats as a dietary supplement.

5. Treat or Addition: Pumpkin can be mixed into your dog's regular food as a dietary supplement or served as an occasional treat.

In summary, plain pumpkin can be a beneficial addition to your dog's diet, especially for addressing digestive issues or providing added nutrition.

A raw dog food diet

If you are currently feeding your dog a raw dog food diet or want to start feeding your dog a raw food diet it is really important that you feed a balanced raw food diet. 

And if you are not sure what this means you can see our pet nutritionist created homemade dog food recipes that all meet AAFCO standards - and we also include lots of pumpkin in the dog food recipes. You can see these raw dog food recipes here

We also have a free dried dog food complete meal that includes pumpkin too - you can see our shop here