Yes, they can! Not only can they eat it … they should. It’s packed with nutrients that are good for them. And pumpkin has many health benefits for your dog, including high fiber content that supports her digestive system. Most dogs love the taste of pumpkin so it’s easy to feed.
What Are The Health Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs?
1. Vitamins And Minerals
It’s a great source of Vitamins A, E, and C, which are important for the immune system, brain function, eyes, and skin health.
Pumpkin also contains important minerals like potassium, copper, manganese, and iron that each play a role in cellular functions.
2. Eye Health
Like other orange vegetables, pumpkin contains a lot of beta-carotene, which is a precursor for vitamin A. Once it converts to vitamin A in the body, it helps improve vision as well as boosting overall immunity and skin and coat health. The carotenoid zeaxanthin also protects your dog’s eyes from light damage.
3. Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect your dog from dangerous free radicals in the body. Free radicals are damaged cells that steal molecules from other cells. But if free radicals are uncontrolled, they can harm your dog’s cells and even his DNA.
4. Anti-Parasitic
Pumpkin seeds are a natural and effective way to remove parasites like worms from your dog’s digestive tract. The seeds contain the amino acid cucurbitin, which paralyzes worms. Studies in both rats and puppies have shown the ability of pumpkin seeds to get rid of intestinal worms.
5. Fiber
Pumpkin is a good source of fiber, which is great for your dog’s digestive health. The soluble fiber content in pumpkin absorbs water, which can help to solidify runny stool when your dog has diarrhea.
The fiber can also help with the opposite problem, by loosening up the packed stool in the case of constipation.
How to Feed Pumpkin to your Dog
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are low in fat and rich in protein. When using seeds as a remedy for intestinal worms, make sure that you only give your dog raw organic seeds, not the salted, roasted pumpkin seeds that humans eat.
The best way to give your dog the benefit of pumpkin seeds is to grind them and add ½ teaspoon per 20lbs of weight to her food once or twice per day. Continue this once or twice per day until you no longer see worms or eggs in her stool.
Pumpkin Flesh
You can give your dog fresh pumpkin or canned pumpkin puree as part of her regular meal. You can give your dog anywhere from 1/3 to ½ cup of pumpkin each day.
