Autumn is the pumpkin season, but is pumpkin good for dogs? Of course yes! In this article, we will tell you what to look for and how to enjoy the pumpkin season with your puppy.
Whether it’s pumpkin soup, mashed potatoes, baked vegetables, or pumpkin risotto – pumpkin colors are more popular than ever in people’s kitchens. Not only do they look good and taste good, but they are also extremely healthy. But are pumpkins also suitable for our dogs’ food?
CONTENT:
- What types of pumpkins are suitable for dogs?
- How Healthy is a Pumpkin for Dogs?
- Can Pumpkin Be Poisonous to Dogs?
- Symptoms of pumpkins poisoning in dogs
- Conclusion: only commercial
What types of pumpkins are suitable for dogs?
Edible pumpkins such as Hokkaido, Butternut, Bishop’s Cap, Acorn or Spaghetti are not only good for us, but also for dogs. They taste good, to the liking of furs, whether they are pureed, baked, boiled or grilled.
Important: Buy pumpkins from the market, from the supermarket, or from organic stores. Pumpkins in stores do not contain dangerous bitter substances (cucurbitacin) and are also edible for dogs. In the professional cultivation of pumpkins, squash, and cucumbers, the bitter substances are removed.
How Healthy is a Pumpkin for Dogs?
Yes, a pumpkin is also very healthy for the dog. These are real vitamin bombs that your dog will enjoy. Winter vegetables are high in fiber and contain essential vitamins such as vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc. Their effects on dog health are just as varied. Pumpkins:
- Stimulates digestion and metabolism
- It works against constipation
- They support the immune system
- Removes toxins from the body
- Protects against urinary tract infections
- Helps males with prostate disease
- They improve the ability to regulate insulin
- Helps with weight loss
The same goes for pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil. Scientific animal studies have confirmed the anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic effects of pumpkin, as well as its support in the fight against prostate and urinary tract diseases.
Can Pumpkin Be Poisonous to Dogs?
No matter how healthy the pumpkin is for dogs, keep in mind that problems can still occur. Dogs can’t eat all kinds of pumpkins. Watch out for the pumpkins grown in your garden and especially the wild ones in the field. They may contain dangerous substances that are toxic to humans and animals.
Never give your dog wild or home-grown pumpkins! Cucurbitacin can lead to severe intoxication, endangering the life of the quadruped.
Watch out for ornamental pumpkins
Ornamental pumpkins, which are very popular autumn decorations, are completely forbidden in the diet of dogs. They are inedible and extremely toxic to dogs. Don’t let the dog eat such pumpkins.
If you don’t want to give up decorations, make sure you put ornamental pumpkins somewhere where dogs can’t reach them. Otherwise, some playful or curious puppies may be tempted to taste these decorative and colorful vegetables. If you notice that the quadruped has eaten an ornamental pumpkin, take it to the vet immediately!
Symptoms of pumpkins poisoning in dogs
Ingestion of poisonous substances from wild and ornamental pumpkins is manifested in dogs – as in humans – mainly by gastrointestinal symptoms. These include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive salivation
Other signs of pumpkin poisoning may be tremors or excessive seizures. The consequences could be anaphylactic shock or even the death of the quadruped.
If you notice any of the symptoms described above after the dog has eaten the pumpkin, take it to the vet as soon as possible, or call a veterinary ambulance.
As a first-aid measure, you can give your dog charcoal. Activated charcoal, which should be ready in your first aid kit, prevents toxins from entering the bloodstream.
Conclusion: only commercial
The good news is that you don’t have to worry about dangerous bitter substances in the case of commercial pumpkins. Take the tasting test described above if you want to be 100% sure.
Pumpkin for dogs is healthy and very tasty, especially if we talk about the types of professionally raised pumpkins, such as Hokkaido, Butternut, etc. Pumpkin is also perfect for overweight dogs or dogs with food allergies or intolerances, being a perfect supplement in the food bowl.
