Read time: 4 mins
28 Jun 2023
Yes, dogs can eat pumpkin in controlled quantities.
Yes, pumpkin is good for dogs.
It’s not just for Halloween either, the nutritional benefits of pumpkin can be enjoyed all year round.
Pumpkin contains natural anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation in dogs, particularly in conditions such as arthritis or joint discomfort. By adding pumpkin into their diet, you may be able to provide some relief and improve their mobility.
Light on calories but full in flavour, pumpkin is a great food for pups that may be prone to being a little bit chubby around the edges. Its high fibre content also makes it dense, keeping them fuller and satisfied for longer.
Pumpkin contains lots of essential vitamins, including A, C, and E, which help to support a strong immune system, healthy skin and coat, and contribute to overall well-being.
The beta-carotene in pumpkin is converted into vitamin A by a pooch’s body. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining good eye health and promoting proper vision. Regularly chowing down on pumpkin can contribute to maintaining healthy eyesight in dogs.
No, dogs should not eat pumpkin seeds.
Whilst they’re not toxic to dogs, they can be incredibly difficult to digest and cause tummy upset. Nobody wants a haunting Halloween mess to deal with, so take a couple of minutes to de-seed your pumpkin before feeding it to your pooch.
The seeds can also pose a serious choking risk, especially for smaller breeds.
If you don’t want to waste the seeds, you can even bake them in the oven with delicious seasonings for the human members of the family to enjoy later. Paws off pooches.
No, dogs should not eat raw pumpkin.
Similarly, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if your dog ate raw pumpkin, but its tough exterior will make it really difficult for your pup to chew.
Instead, we recommend gently cooking pumpkin and cutting it up into small bite-sized pieces. You can even puree pumpkin to make consumption easier for dogs with dental problems or particularly sensitive tums, as they don’t have to work hard to break it down.
No, dogs should not eat pumpkin skin.
Especially when raw, pumpkin skin can cause damage not only to your pooch’s stomach but to their teeth and gums too, due to its sharp edges.
Ensure to remove the skin and seeds before cooking pumpkin and feeding it to your pup.
There is no one-size-fits-all for the amount of pumpkin you should feed your pup.
Generally, we would recommend that smaller dogs have no more than 1 teaspoon of pumpkin per day, whilst larger dogs can have up to 2 tablespoons.
Ensure that you introduce pumpkin slowly to your dog’s diet. As with any new food, too much can wreak havoc on your dog's digestive system. If they show no signs of intolerance you can gradually increase the amount that you feed them. Slow and steady.
Note that any treats, even the good kind, should not make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily diet. The rest should be fulfilled by a nutritionally-complete and specially formulated dog food.
Due to its high volume of fibre, pumpkin can help to regulate your dog’s digestion and comfort an upset stomach. However, it’s not a complete remedy and if symptoms persist, you should contact your vet for a more effective long-term solution.
The high water content of pumpkin can also help to keep your dog hydrated. This is especially important if they’ve been experiencing sickness and diarrhoea, as this can make them incredibly dehydrated.
At Butternut Box, we include pumpkin in some of our meals, such as Tuck In Chicken.
We only use the best-quality ingredients in our meals. As well as 60% human-grade meat, vegetables form the basis for our recipes, alongside things like lentils and pearl barley. Because we believe dogs deserve better.
You don’t have to worry about guesswork either, we use the perfect balance of ingredients in our meals to ensure that they are nutritionally complete, providing your dog with all the nutrients that they need to thrive.
At sign up, we'll ask you a few questions about your dog, such as their breed, age and activity level. This will help us to calculate exactly how many calories they need, as well as the recipes that would best suit their preferences and lifestyle.
Click the Build Your Box button below to get an exact price and plan.
