Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin?

With the dawn of fall already upon us and Halloween poking its head out from around the corner, the pumpkin spice craze is already well on its way. While that pumpkin spice latte is warming your hands, you might ask yourself, “Can dogs eat pumpkin?” The answer is an astounding yes! Pumpkin is an extremely beneficial dietary supplement that helps with your pup’s skin and digestive health. It’s a great additive to kibble or baked into homemade treats. If that’s not right up your alley, don’t worry. There are plenty of premade, healthy dog treats out there! While you’re enjoying the joys of pumpkin this fall, let your dog in on the action.

Benefits of Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a nutrient-rich food that has been known to aid in digestion. It gives a good boost of Vitamin A and potassium among other vitamins in smaller quantities. It also has a high water content helping your dog’s skin to stay hydrated. Pumpkin seeds are full of omega 3’s and antioxidants. They are also a long-known remedy for parasites like tapeworm.

Pumpkin is also a great natural remedy for dogs with anal gland problems. Rather than getting expensive surgery or using prescription diets, one of the best remedies is as simple as adding pumpkin puree as a topper to a dog’s food. Pumpkin is naturally low in carbs and high in fiber, making it perfect for anal gland issues, diarrhea, and constipation.

What Type of Pumpkin Can Dogs Eat?

When choosing a method of incorporating pumpkin into a dog’s diet, make sure it’s in a natural form. If you want to give your dog pumpkin puree, check the ingredients list to make sure there’s no sugar or pointless additives. Try to find a brand of pumpkin puree with “100% pumpkin” written on the label. Don’t confuse pumpkin puree for premade pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling has a ton of excess sugar and sodium that will adversely affect your dog rather than be beneficial. It’s best to stock up on cans of pumpkin puree during the fall season, but if you can’t find it most pet stores will sell it (at a marked up price). If you want to give your dog pumpkin seeds, make sure to grind them up first. This is great to sprinkle on top of food.

Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats

If you want to give your dog a super treat this fall, try making your own dog treats! This is great because you can incorporate a lot of your dog’s favorite foods. You can opt to freeze or bake them, but, either way, your dog will love these! Not only is your dog getting a treat, but they are also getting a healthy dose of nutrients.

One of the simplest recipes is to mix equal parts banana and pumpkin puree in a blender. You can add a tablespoon or two of peanut butter if you’re dog likes that. Pour into an ice cube tray or dog-treat molds and freeze.

The American Kennel Club also has a few recipes listed here. They have recipes for Frozen Pumpkin Dog Treats, Baked Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Treats, and Baked Banana Pumpkin Treats.

The Eating Bird Food blog has a recipe for peanut butter and pumpkin dog treats that also incorporates chicken stock and excludes baking soda or baking powder.

Alternatively, this is a recipe from Allrecipes that uses eggs to bind the treats together.

High-quality Store-bought Treats

If you don’t have time to cook, we got you. These are good, high-quality dog treats.

Fruitables Dog Treats– Pumpkin and Apple flavor are natural, low-calorie, and inexpensive. They are great training treats or perfect treats to throw into an IQ ball to keep your pup busy.

Portland Pet Food Company All-Natural Dog Treat Biscuits are a great grain-free option. These biscuits can be a bit more expensive but are an awesome fall treat for your pet.

Another grain-free option are the Hill’s Grain-Free Soft-Baked Naturals Dog Treats. They come in a duck and pumpkin flavor.

If you’re feeling especially festive this fall, try Merrick’s All Natural Dog Treats. Their oven-baked Pumpkin treats have only 4 ingredients and come in a cute pumpkin shape!

So, can dogs eat pumpkin? Of course, they can! As always, too much of anything isn’t good so regulate how much pumpkin or pumpkin treats you give your dog. Other than that, let your pup enjoy some pumpkin this fall!

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