Health Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs

Thanksgiving is around the corner and there is a lot to be thankful for. Especially when you have loving non-judgmental pets. We also love the pumpkin and turkey that goes with Thanksgiving.  Thankfully,  the benefits of pumpkin include solving dog diarrhea, dog constipation, cat diarrhea among other issues.

Pureed organic pumpkin (raw or cooked, not sweetened or spiced) is great for both cats’ and dogs’ digestive health. Pureed pumpkin is the fiber wonder for both diarrhea and constipation. For cat owners, pureed pumpkin is also recommended in aiding cats pass furballs through the backdoor and into the litter box.

Pumpkin is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals like potassium and iron. Its high fiber content aids in digestion and can help regulate your dog’s bowel movements

Using Pumpkin to Alleviate Dog Diarrhea

Pumpkin is a widely recommended natural remedy for dog diarrhea because of its high soluble fiber content and gentle effect on the digestive system. The fiber in pumpkin helps absorb excess water in the intestines, which can firm up loose stools and promote more regular bowel movements. Additionally, pumpkin contains beneficial nutrients like beta-carotene, potassium, and antioxidants that support overall gut health and help soothe inflammation.

To use pumpkin for dog diarrhea, offer plain canned pumpkin and mix it into your dog’s food.

The dosage for dogs with diarrhea-  1 tablespoon per 10 lb of body weight is usually recommended as part of their meal to make them regular or in case you need help firming up their stool after a bout of diarrhea.

So for small dogs —about 1 tablespoon and up to 4 tablespoons for a medium-sized dog.

We normally recommend that you either skip one meal for your dog/ cat or alternatively, add the pumpkin to a tasty broth. Please make sure that the meat broth you cook for your pets does not have any onions in it.

Nutritional Advantages of Pumpkin Seeds for Dogs

The benefits of pumpkin do not stop at the flesh. We also recommend the pumpkin seeds for the following reasons:

1. Ground raw organic pumpkin seeds are rich in minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron and especially zinc.
2. It is anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antioxidant support (may prevent cancer) and also a great dewormer.
3. An amino acid called cucurbitin in pumpkin seeds eliminates tapeworms and other intestinal parasites. Did we also mention that they may be good for skin and coat, as well as urinary tract health. However, it not as bioavailable as other sources we could recommend for those purposes.
4. We’d recommend a 1/4 teaspoon per 10 lb of body weight for ground pumpkin seeds sprinkled on your pet’s food.

Alternatively, for dogs, you can feed them the raw seeds as treats if they are not fussy eaters. Perfect Form, which is made by Honest Kitchen is also a good source of pumpkin seeds and has slippery elm to help with dogs with stomach issues.

Proper Storage of Pumpkin for Canine Digestive Health

To extend the shelf life of pureed pumpkin once opened, freeze it in ice cube trays and thaw portions as needed. This method ensures you have a ready supply to address any digestive issues promptly.

In case, the dog or cat gets into your turkey dinner and is not feeling well, use Nature’s Logic – Supplements – Canned Pumpkin Puree 15 oz. Add a pumpkin seed boost to your pet’s health to show them how thankful we are to have them!

For our complete diarrhea guide, check out Dog Troubleshitting: Ultimate Dog Diarrhea Guide (for cats too).

Please let us know if you’ve used pumpkin to sort out your pet’s diarrhea.

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