Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin - All About Dogs

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin

Can dogs eat pumpkin? The pumpkin has its peak season in the fall and is available almost all year. Thanks to its many uses, pumpkins are very popular as a vegetable. Even our four-legged friends hardly say “no” to a nice portion of the yellow-orange variety of vegetables. But what about the tolerability and may dogs eat pumpkin?

Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs

A Pumpkin is one of the healthiest vegetables. It is rich in nutrients and fiber. It contains high levels of vitamins A, C and E, magnesium, potassium, zinc and important fiber. And here comes the good news: dogs are allowed to eat pumpkin. Can dogs eat raw pumpkin? Pumpkin can be fed raw or cooked. If it is given to the dog raw, it should be crushed or pureed. In this way, it is more digestible for the four-legged friend. Pumpkin is ideal as an ingredient for dog biscuits and small lightly steamed pumpkin cubes are a healthy snack in between.

Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds and Oil

The seeds of the pumpkin are a little secret weapon against parasites. They can drive out worms and are therefore considered a natural worm remedy. However, if you want to deworm your dog naturally, from time to time you should have a feces sample examined by the veterinarian for parasites.

Pumpkin seeds against worms. Chop the pumpkin seeds very small or chop them in the food processor. Then mix with a little buttermilk. Feeding twice a day for a week. For each 10 kilograms of body weight of the dog, you will need one tablespoon of grated kernels for one serving. Also, the pumpkin seed oil is a good and healthy addition to the dog food. It contains valuable essential fatty acids that are beneficial to the health of the dog.

Pumpkin as a tasty vegetable

Pumpkins are one of the annual plants. Some species grow along the ground, some climb. As early as 5000 BC, the first pumpkins have been cultivated. The pumpkin that lands in our kitchens today is originally from Mexico and South America. Depending on the variety, the pulp, the seeds and in some even the shell is used. The delicious fruity-sweet pulp is ideal for sweet and savory dishes. Exactly this taste also loves most dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Pie? 

No. Even though dogs benefit greatly from pumpkin, pumpkin pie is full of sugar and therefore is never good for dogs. Also, if your dog already ate your pie, he will most likely be okay because he didn’t eat anything toxic, but he may have an upset stomach.

But if he vomits, you should immediately see the vet.

Can Pumpkin Help With Dog Diarrhea? 

Yes. Pumpkin has a lot of important minerals and vitamins like A, E and C, iron and potassium but also it is full of fibers which are very helpful to digestion system.

Bitter substances could be dangerous

However, despite all the benefits the pumpkin offers, pumpkins can contain cucurbitacins. Cucurbitacins are bitter substances that can also be found in other cucurbits such as zucchini or cucumber. In general, these substances are not included in those vegetables that are commercially available. Try avoiding them.

Those who prefer to grow their own vegetables in the garden are in danger of breeding squash with cucurbitacins. Make sure to use new seeds purchased each year for your self-grown pumpkin.

Dogs must not eat ornamental pumpkins for Halloween. The vegetables are bitter and therefore dangerous.

Cucurbitacins are rare toxins in the pumpkin

All occurring cucurbitacins are toxic. This also applies to humans. Therefore, you should immediately dispose of any pumpkin in organic waste if a pumpkin tastes even slightly bitter. Neither you nor your dog should eat it. Cucurbitacins are not water-soluble and are not destroyed by heat. The poison remains after cooking. Symptoms of dog poisoning with cucurbitacins include diarrhea, vomiting, severe salivation, and apathy. If the dog absorbs large quantities of the poison, this can lead to shock and ultimately even death. So do not feed pumpkin if it does not taste right.

Related: Can Dogs Eat Carrots, Can Dogs Eat Peas.

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin

Ornamental pumpkins for Halloween must not eat dogs

For  Halloween, ornamental and wild pumpkins are to be found in many households for decoration purposes. The round shape of this vegetable decoration always tempts playful dogs to bite into it. That can lead to evil symptoms of intoxication. So, if you decorate your home next fall, be sure to place all the pumpkins out of the reach of your four-legged friend.

Photo Credit: Rossie/Flickr; Mark Carter/Flickr; eltpics/Flickr

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