Pumpkin is full of antioxidants and vitamins
Another health benefit is that pumpkin contains carotenoids, which are antioxidants that could fight inflammation, protect your dog’s eyes, and slow down the aging process.
They also have magnesium, vitamin A and C, and zinc. Magnesium is good for treating constipation and urinary disorders. Zinc will help with your dog’s skin and coat, while A – and beta-carotene, which pumpkin also contains – are beneficial for eye health. Vitamin C can address joint and mobility issues and boost your dog’s immune system. Beneficial minerals iron and potassium are also found in pumpkin.
If your dog has issues with his urinary tract, pumpkin helps with that, too. Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin flesh have oils that contribute to their proper functioning.
If your dog often goes back to his bowl for more kibble – which is causing him to gain weight – you can add pumpkin to it instead. Since pumpkin contains so much fiber, it’s going to ensure that your dog stays fuller for longer. Plus, it may not be as high in calories as his dog food.
Can Dogs Eat Other Pumpkin Products?
You should avoid giving your dog certain types of pumpkin products that could be harmful to his health. For example, it’s not a good idea to give him pumpkin skin, because it’s difficult to digest and could give him an upset stomach.
Additionally, pumpkin desserts like pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie are very high in sugar, and could contain other ingredients that are toxic to your pup like raisins, xylitol, chocolate, and macadamia nuts.
You shouldn’t feed pumpkin spice products to your dog either, because they may not even contain pumpkin. However, they could contain toxic ingredients like alcohol or caffeine.
When your dog eats pumpkin spice ingredients like cinnamon or nutmeg in large quantities, he could experience harmful symptoms.
If your dog eats a lot of pumpkin spice, here are the symptoms to look out for:
Always stick with the pureed pumpkin that is 100% pumpkin, along with cooked, unsalted pumpkin seeds and cooked raw pumpkin.
Health Benefits of Pumpkin
Adding pumpkin to your dogs diet can benefit your four-legged friend in a variety of ways. Feeding pumpkin can give your dog a little nutritional boost, help with digestion, and aid in weight control.