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Izzy is sitting at one of my favorite places to buy local produce and of course, pumpkins! With all the love for decorative pumpkins this time of year, I thought I’d share some tips on the pumpkin we feed to our dogs.Pumpkin is classified as a Cucurbitaceae, belonging to the gourd family of flowering plants. Pumpkin contains many anti-oxidants including Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is what gives orange veggies and fruits its color. High in fiber too, pumpkin is usually what dog parents seek out for tummy troubles.
Pumpkin contains soluble fiber which slows down digestion and can help manage loose stools. It also absorbs water which allows for the bulk up and control of loose stools.
Usually, pumpkin is the first go-to when your dog has loose stool. I’m not sure why or how this got started but I actually prefer some sweet potato to help firm up loose stool as well. Why? Because just as much as pumpkin can help with diarrhea, it can also help with constipation. I’ve actually found more success using sweet potato to firm up stool, and used pumpkin to act as a laxative. Sweet potato contains a nice mix of soluble and insoluble fiber that is really good for overall bowel health in humans and dogs. Insoluble fiber does add bulk to stool and can increase transit time. That transit time could cause a laxative effect but again, I’ve often found pumpkin acts more as a laxative than sweet potato. Another thing to note, pumpkin has a high water content it can be beneficial in softening stools for constipated dogs. Pumpkins are actually 90% water vs. sweet potatoes which are 70% water.
It’s often best to determine what works best for your individual dog, monitor your dog whenever using a food like sweet potato or pumpkin to help with diahrea or constipation and see what works best.
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Moderationis Key
While pumpkin is natural and safe for dogs, it is not a good thing to overload your Fido’s stomach with a new food when his GI flora is already in a fragile state.
Too much pumpkin introduces excess fiber in your dog’s diet, which can cause digestive stress and even inhibit the absorption of other vital nutrients.
Besides, it can lead to toxic levels of fat-soluble vitamins A & E.
Can Pumpkin Help With Dog Diarrhea?
Pumpkin is a fiber-rich food that also contains important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, E, and C, and potassium and iron. Plain, canned pumpkin is available year-round and can be a great addition to your canine first aid kit.
Pumpkin can ease digestion in several ways. The soluble fiber content in pumpkin adds bulk to your dog’s stool by absorbing water, and fiber fermentation produces beneficial fatty acids that supply energy to cells, stimulate intestinal sodium and water absorption, and lower the pH level of the large intestines.
Fiber also acts as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are different from probiotics. They stimulate the growth or activity of these beneficial bacteria in the intestines and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Fiber does this by lowering the pH level and providing the necessary nutrients these bacteria need.
These traits can all help with some cases of dog diarrhea. Depending on the cause of your dog’s diarrhea, veterinarians might recommend feeding either a highly digestible diet or a diet full of prebiotics (fiber). In some cases, they may also recommend adding probiotics, which are supplements that contain live beneficial bacteria. Pumpkin acts as a prebiotic booster for these probiotics.
HowPumpkin Help With Constipation in Dogs
Pumpkin has high amounts of water and fiber and helps add bulk and soften a constipated dog’s stool. In other words, it acts as a natural laxative, making the stool easier to pass.
Besides helping your pup stay “regular”, pumpkin is a great addition to your dog’s diet because it is rich in a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Potassium.
Fiber is also known to act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in your dog’s intestines and inhibiting the growth of bad or harmful bacteria.
But how can pumpkin help both diarrhea and constipation in dogs? This is a common concern among many dog owners, so you aren’t alone if you are asking this question.
The simple answer is: pumpkin has both soluble and insoluble fibers, which interact differently with your dog’s gastrointestinal health.
Soluble fiber, for instance, acts like a sponge when there is excess moisture in your pup’s GI tract (diarrhea).
On the other hand, insoluble fiber draws moisture into your dog’s GI tract when the stool is hard and dries (constipation) to make the stool bulkier and softer.
So, in the case of diarrhea, the soluble fiber in pumpkin slows down the GI tract while in the case of constipation, the insoluble fiber quickens bowel movements.
FAQ
How much pumpkin do you give a dog for constipation?
How fast does pumpkin work for dog constipation?
Can I give my dog canned pumpkin for constipation?
One of the easiest and most common at-home treatments for constipation in dogs is to feed them some canned pumpkin. Pumpkin is a high-fiber food and is perfectly safe for a dog to ingest, as long as nothing else has been added to it.
Will pumpkin make my dog poop?
Due to its high soluble fiber content, pumpkin is very good for your dog’s digestion. If you feed your dog some pumpkin, it will add bulk to their stool. This helps reduce issues with diarrhea.
