Not only is fall here, but Halloween is just around the corner as well and we have to prepare ourselves and our beloved furry friends to celebrate this holiday! As you already know, there is no fall, and of course Halloween, without eating a lot of pumpkins and you can’t eat alone, especially when your dog is watching every bite you take. In fact, sharing is caring, right? 

The truth is that pumpkin is one of the healthiest and most delicious foods for humans, but can dogs eat pumpkin along with their parents? This is a frequently asked question in the world of pet owners. So, let’s find out if your dog can eat pumpkin this Halloween. 

Can dogs eat pumpkin?

The answer is yes, of course, but you have to give them small amounts. Like humans, pumpkin can be an excellent source of essential nutrients that their bodies need to function properly. Just like other things in life, too much of anything can adversely affect your health – in this case, the health of your dog. 

This type of food can improve your dog’s gut. According to Sarah Dougherty, DVM, associate veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in Portland, Oregon, and a veterinarian with the Digital Health division of Kinship, “it discourages the overgrowth of ‘bad’ bacteria that can cause issues in the GI tract.” 

Moreover, pumpkin can help your dog maintain a normal weight, explained Katie Lytle, DVM, MPH, MS, veterinary channel manager at Wisdom Health in Vancouver, Washington.

Pumpkin is a nutrient dense veggie

In general, veterinarians recommend pumpkin for treating obesity in dogs because it is low in calories, but rich in vitamin, mineral and fiber. The explanation is that due to its low calorie content, your dog will minimize the process of gaining weight and will start absorbing many healthy minerals and vitamins. Plus, the fiber can help your pet feel fuller for longer. 

Pumpkin contains high amounts of vitamin A, also known as beta-carotene, potassium, vitamin C, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, folate and so on. Potassium is essential for the heart health of your dog because it can help regulate blood pressure and improve muscle health. Moreover, potassium can also boost the metabolism of your dog, which is responsible for transforming the food into fuel for energy. 

Pumpkin can improve your dog’s eye health

It’s no secret that pumpkin can be really effective in improving your eye health and there is no difference when it comes to your beloved furry friend, of course. In fact, the benefits are the same, whether we are talking about humans or dogs. 

As we said before, pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A, and this type of vitamin is essential for boosting the eye health. According to animal experts, dogs who feed on pumpkin are more likely to have a better night vision and fewer complications as they get older. 

However, it’s important to understand that vitamin A is fat soluble, which means that you have to give your dog pumpkin with a little oil to make the absorption process more efficient. All you have to do is to mix some pumpkin with a teaspoon of healthy oil – it should be like a pumpkin puree – and then place the mashed pumpkin on top of their regular food. 

Pumpkin can boost your dog’s immune system

Among other essential vitamins and minerals, pumpkin contains vitamin C as well, which is crucial for boosting your dog’s immune system. Dogs can get sick too, so they need a healthy immune system to fight off infections or other diseases. 

Studies have shown that vitamin C, vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin E and other nutrients that can be found in pumpkin can help reduce the risk of certain cancers in dogs. So, if you want to improve the health of your pet, you should consider adding some natural nutrients to their diet, such a pumpkin. 

Of course, before you change something in your dog’s diet, you have to talk to your veterinarian and schedule an appointment to discuss about the benefits of natural foods, whether your dog can eat them and what the recommended amount is. 

Pumpkin seeds reduce the risk of urinary incontinence

As you probably already know, dogs can suffer from urinary incontinence as well, and it has been proven that pumpkin seeds can reduce the risk of this condition. If you want to feed your dog pumpkin, try to take advantage of pumpkin seeds as well. They are rich in healthy fats, such as omega 3 fatty acids, fiber and protein. 

These healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties that are good for the kidney health of your dog. Moreover, studies have shown that pumpkin seeds can help reduce the risk of urinary incontinence in dogs. If your dog can’t eat whole peeled pumpkin seeds, you can mix them with the pumpkin pulp after passing them through a blender.

Pumpkin improve their digestion

If you notice that your dog can’t ‘go to the toilet’ regularly and have difficulty meeting their needs, it may be a sign that they suffer from constipation or other similar digestive problems. That being said, the fiber in the pumpkin composition can improve their digestion and prevent constipation. 

In addition, pumpkin is also good in treating diarrhea in dogs, so, you can consider adding some pumpkin to their diet. 

Can pumpkin affect your dog’s health at the same time?

According to medical experts, pumpkin can be harmful to your dog’s health as well, but only if you give them large amounts. The pumpkin should be consumed in moderation, just like any other natural food, because they are still animals and can’t digest food like humans. 

Even though vitamin A has a lot of benefits in dogs, too much can be toxic. One of the most important things that you have to take into consideration when it comes to your dog’s diet is to avoid pumpkin or other foods if you see that your furry friend doesn’t want to eat, vomit or is in pain. Don’t force them to eat if they don’t want to. 

 “[Pumpkin] should equal no more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet. Any more can cause a nutritional imbalance and could result in them not absorbing other nutrients, including protein, effectively,” said Dr. Dougherty.

Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that the “canned pumpkin pie mix has a lot of added spices, which can cause toxicities. It contains added sugar, making it up to 281 calories per cup, which can add on the pounds quickly in small animals. Some canned pumpkin puree has up to 600 milligrams of added sodium per cup, which can be harmful to pets with heart and kidney disease,” added Dr. Dougherty.