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Yes, pumpkin is a safe food you can feed your dog. Pumpkin is a source of vitamins A and C, which help support a dog’s immune system and vision. Pumpkin also has zinc, beta-carotene, iron and potassium and a high water content which helps keep skin healthy and give your dog a lustrous coat. The water content in pumpkin also keeps a dog’s skin from flaking, which helps with hair loss and shedding.
Pumpkin may help with constipation, diarrhea and anal gland problems because of the fiber in it. However, in dogs that truly need a high fiber diet, it may not be sufficient. Ask your vet before adding it to your pet’s food.
What other benefits does Pumpkin provide?
Pumpkin can naturally help control parasites. It has high amounts of an amino acid cucurbitacin, which is toxic to many common dog parasites. Adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet can be a preventative measure, but it should not take the place of your normal preventative treatments.
Can pumpkin help with weight loss?
It can help with weight loss by adding bulk to your pet’s diet. It does this by keeping your dog feeling full as you cut back on the amount of food they are eating so they will lose weight.
How much Pumpkin do I give my dog?
When first adding it to your dog’s diet, the recommended amount is usually 1 tsp of canned pumpkin per 10 pounds of body weight per day. If your dog has diabetes or other health issues, it’s a good idea to ask your vet before adding pumpkin to his diet.
Generally, 1 tsp of canned (or cooked and pureed) pumpkin per 10 lbs of body weight per day is a good standard to go by. If your dog has a health condition such as diabetes, please talk to your vet before feeding pumpkin to your dog. As a general rule, treats (including fruits and vegetables) should never exceed 10% of your pet’s daily caloric needs.
What type of Pumpkin is safe?
Plain canned pumpkin is best. You don’t want pumpkin pie filling or any type of pumpkin with added sugar or spices. Plain canned pumpkin is available in grocery stores year round and can sometimes even be found in pet stores. There are also pumpkin treats you can feed your dog or you could make him some homemade pumpkin cookies to add pumpkin to his diet.
Can I cook a Pumpkin and feed to my dog?
Yes, you can cook your own pumpkin and use it. Make a few holes in the pumpkin and bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes. Then cube it or put it in a blender and puree to feed it to your dog.
You can also feed your dog raw pumpkin seeds. Do not add salt or oils to the seeds if feeding them to your pet. Dry the seeds out after you scoop them out of the pumpkin. Bake them on a baking sheet with parchment paper at 350F for approximately 10-15 minutes. Cool them and give them to your dog for a treat.
Pumpkin Dog Treats
Pumpkin Pupcakes
This easy birthday cupcake recipe will make your dog feel so special on her big day. We use oat flour, which is gluten free and easy for most dogs to digest, as is the pumpkin and yogurt. The last thing your dog needs on her birthday is an upset tummy!
- Author: Kiki Kane
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini cupcakes 1x
- Category: Special ccasion
- Method: Baking
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 cups oat flour (grind rolled oats in your food processor to make your own)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- pinch salt (you can skip it if your dog is sensitive to it)
- 1/2 cup of plain pureed pumpkin (not pie filling)
- 1/2 cup non-fat yogurt
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 eggs
For the frosting
- 1 block fat-free cream cheese
- 1/4 cup natural peanut butter (look for no added oil or xylitol)
Top tip: Thicken with instant mashed potatoes. Works like magic!
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350º
In a large bowl, measure in the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
Add the yogurt, pumpkin, and vanilla and stir until just incorporated.
Add the water and eggs and stir to combine.
Grease two mini muffin pans and place them on cookie sheets for easy transportation in and out of the oven.
Spoon in the batter, smoothing the tops as you go. The batter is firmer than people cake and will hold the shape it’s in when it goes into the oven.
Bake 25 minutes or until cooked through and just starting to lightly brown on the bottoms.
Cool completely before frosting, slathering, or serving.
For the frosting
Whip the cream cheese in your stand mixer until it is light and fluffy
Add the peanut butter and continue stirring.
Sprinkle in the cornstarch or tapioca flour while mixing on low, then turn it up when everything is incorporated.
Check the texture of your frosting.
If you need to thin it out, add some milk or water. If you need it thicken it more, add a little more cornstarch or tapioca flour.
Your ideal texture is whatever you will be comfortable piping, but if you’re not sure, go for a texture that holds a good peak, but still has a little flow to it.
Frost your cupcakes with an offset spatula or piping bag and don’t stress about perfection. You can always scrape off and refrost if things really go off the rails!
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Pumpkin Spice Dog Treats
- Author: Kiki Kane
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 trays 1x
- Category: Fall Favorites
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cup oat flour
- 1 cup tapioca flour
- 2/3 cup coconut flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- pinch of allspice
- pinch of clove
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 egg
- 1 cup pumpkin
- 2 tsp molasses
- fun jack o’ lantern cookie cutter (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350º and move oven racks to the middle so you can use two cookie sheets at once.
Combine dry ingredients in the bowl of food processor and pulse lightly to combine.
Add wet ingredients, and pulse intermittently until the dough comes together.
Turn dough out onto a floured board, adding additional oat flour until dough is no longer sticky.
Cut dough into whatever shapes you fancy, placing onto parchment-lined cookie sheets.
Bake for 30 minutes, then turn off the oven but leave the cookies inside to cool for extra crunch.
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3 Ingredient Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Cookies for Dogs
- Author: Kiki Kane
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 60 cookies 1x
- Category: Anytime treats
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups oat flour (make your own in the food processor by grinding rolled oats about a minute)
- 1 cup pureed pumpkin (you want plain pumpkin, not pie filling)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (watch out for xylitol, a sweetener that is poisonous to dogs)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine oat flour, pumpkin puree, and peanut butter in a large bowl or food processor and mix until combined.
Roll the dough into balls with your hands (you can lightly oil them to avoid a sticky mess) then use the tines of a fork to gently press in the classic peanut butter cookie crosshatch pattern.
Bake for 20 minutes or until just starting to brown on the edges. A longer baking time will make for a crisper cookie, a shorter time for a softer one.
https://www.rover.com/blog/canned-pumpkin-for-dogs-and-cats/
https://blog.homesalive.ca/dog-blog/health-benefits-of-pumpkin-for-dogs
Until next time,
Hugs and Pug Kisses,
Candy
