Can dogs eat pumpkin?

It is the season of great orange orbs ripening in the veg patch: of pumpkin in pies, roasted in risottos and adding a mellow sweetness to stews and chillies– yum!!!  But can we share our autumnal friend with our 4 legged ones…?

Nutritional benefits of pumpkin

Pumpkins, and their seeds, are absolute nutritional powerhouses, containing:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B9 (folate)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Zinc
• Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids
• Pumpkin seed oil
• Soluble and insoluble fibre
• Water
• Cucurbitin

The vitamins and some of the minerals and compounds are antioxidants, boosting your dogs’ immune system and protecting against diseases, such as some cancers.

Vitamin A, Zinc, omega fatty acids, and water are good for your dogs’ eyes, skin and coat - reducing dandruff and flaky skin; helping them with hydration; and assisting with bowel movements if mild constipation is an issue. Omega 3 & 6 also contribute to maintaining the health of joints, heart and brain chemicals.

Magnesium helps relax muscles in the airways, alleviating respiratory problems triggered by allergic reactions.

Pumpkin seed fibre contains cucurbitin, an amino acid which inhibits the lifecycle of some parasites in the digestive system.  And pumpkin seed oil promotes urinary tract health.

Fibre in pumpkins

The fibre in pumpkins and their seeds may help with digestive problems such as mild constipation – by introducing bulk to stools and, contrarily, with mild diarrhoea by absorbing some of the liquid.

The anti-inflammatory properties can also alleviate the pain and irritation from blocked anal glands. High fibre and water content makes pumpkin a useful inclusion in a weight-loss diet.  Although too much fibre can have negative effects too, such as bloating, wind and diarrhoea.

It is a good idea to check with a vet before using pumpkin to treat conditions such as mild diarrhoea and constipation, in case there are underlying causes of the problems which require medical intervention.

In puppies, care should be taken as too much fibre can prevent the absorption of nutrients and protein, as well as, conversely, causing constipation.

How should I feed pumpkin to my dog?

Whilst the flesh and seeds have many health benefits, avoid giving your dog the rind - it is tougher and less digestible, and could be a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage.  

Cooked pumpkin is more digestible than raw; and tinned, pureed pumpkin is a convenient alternative, if there are no additives. Definitely avoid pumpkin pie filling as the other ingredients, such as spices, fat, salt and sugar could make your dog very unwell.

Cooked pumpkin seeds make a healthy and tasty treat, as long as you are careful with small dogs who could choke on them. The shells can also be hard to digest and sharp, so people often grind the cooked seeds down and sprinkle the powder on their dogs’ food.

As a guide, feed no more than 1tsp of pureed pumpkin, or 1 ground pumpkin seed for every 10lbs of bodyweight. Viewing pumpkins as a treat, vets and nutritionists always recommend treats should amount to no more than 10% of your dogs’ daily food intake.