Pumpkin And Dog Poop

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‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice, but is this beloved fall treat safe for Fido? Sort of. Pumpkin, though not the spices associated with it, is actually great for dogs! But there are some caveats to giving pumpkin to your pooch, so be careful. Read on to find out more, and, of course, if you have questions or doubts, be sure to talk to your veterinarian. All dogs are different, and your specific pet’s needs and sensitivities may vary.

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.

How to Prepare Pumpkin for Your Dog

If you feed your dog plain fresh pumpkin, be sure to bake it until soft first. Remove the pumpkin seeds and let it cool before serving. Canned pumpkin puree can be served as is, and you can make your own pumpkin puree using this easy recipe. But let’s be real—you’ll probably want to kick it up a notch for your furbaby, right? Dr. Sievert gave us this recipe for DIY pumpkin treats using ingredients you can get from the grocery store or already have at home:

  • 2.5 cups whole wheat or oat flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 3 tbsps. peanut or almond butter

    • Melt all of these ingredients in the oven, mix them up, create small cookie shapes, and put them back in the oven for 30 minutes at 180℉.

    Does pumpkin make dogs poop more?

    Pumpkin should make dogs poop more, due to the fiber content. But how does it work exactly?

    Fiber is good for digestion, and according to the Healthline.com website, it works like this:

    Whilst that quote above is intended to relate to the human digestive system, the same theory can be applied to dogs – meaning pumpkin whether it’s canned or in a puree form, can make dogs poop harder (e.g. more).

    Can pumpkin cause diarrhea in dogs?

    Whilst you might want your dog to poop more with pumpkin, it can actually lead to a diarrhea problem. In fact, on the MyOllie.com blog, they explain that:

    However, there is then conflicting information online that pumpkin can actually help dogs with diarrhea. For example, the Pet Health Network say:

    But the majority opinion online seems to be that pumpkin can make a dog poop more if they have been suffering with constipation.

    FAQ

    How long does it take pumpkin to help a dog poop?

    How fast does pumpkin work for dog constipation? Most dogs tend to digest food within 8 hours. That means if you do use pumpkin for your dog’s constipation, you should hopefully start to see it working in under 10 hours. The same goes for butternut squash.

    Is it OK to give Dogs pumpkin everyday?

    Can Dogs and Cats eat pumpkin every day? Yes – you can certainly add small amounts of pumpkin to their meal every day. The additional fibre from a daily dose can have many health benefits including: Making your pet feel fuller sooner (Good for weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight)

    Can pumpkin cause diarrhea in Dogs?

    Too much canned pumpkin can lead to lose bowel movements and create an entirely different issue. It’s also wise to make sure your pet isn’t suffering from a more serious gastrointestinal issue such as pancreatitis, which can be life threatening.

    Can you give your dog too much pumpkin?

    Risks of Pumpkin for Dogs

    However, if you are feeding your dog at home, too much pumpkin isn’t a good thing. An excess of fiber in a dog’s diet can cause digestive distress and inhibit the absorption of other nutrients in his food. Additionally, the vitamin A found in pumpkins can turn deadly.