Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Dr. Julie
Can Dogs Have Raw Pumpkin? This is a good question for those who are conscious about the food that they provide for their beloved pets.
Since dogs digest things differently from humans, this is a fair question to ask. After all, what is good for you may be very harmful to your furry friends.
So can your dog snack on the starchy goodness of a pumpkin? Read on to find out more on this topic.
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Can Dogs Have Raw Pumpkin?
The short answer is yes – in fact, it is a good idea to do so! Pumpkin is a fruit (yes, not a vegetable) of the gourd and squash category. Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds? Yes, even its seeds are good to eat.
And yes, the pumpkin is fine to eat raw! As long the pumpkin is clean, there should be no issues with feeding your dog these delectable treats. However, over-eating on pumpkins can also be a problem, so make sure to portion your meal properly before presenting it to your dog.
What Are The Benefits Of Dogs Eating Pumpkin?
You probably know that pumpkin is great for humans, but it would be interesting to see what the benefits are for dogs.
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E
Pumpkins are full of essential vitamins that are great for specific bodily functions.
Vitamin A is good for the literal inside and outside of your dog’s body. Your dog’s skin and coat maintain strength thanks to this vitamin. It also ensures that the muscles and nerves are developing and working properly. If they experience a Vitamin A deficiency, your dog may experience a dull coat and weak muscles.
Vitamin C is a great antioxidant that attacks free radicals in your dog’s body. Dogs can actually produce their own vitamin C in their livers. However, supplementing your pets with the vitamin can help them deal not only with free radicals but with stress and its effects.
Vitamin E is good for the muscular, circulatory, and immune systems. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that fights off free radicals. This nutrient is fat-soluble and is great for all kinds of pets. Vitamin E deficiency doesn’t usually occur in dogs, but adding this nutrient to their diet is still a good idea.
Read more about: What to Feed a Rottweiler to Gain Weight: A Guide
Iron and Potassium
The pumpkin also hosts a lot of great minerals in its orange flesh.
Iron is important for the blood and overall circulatory system of dogs. It supports the creation of red blood cells and hemoglobin, effectively helping transport oxygen all over the body. Some clues that your dog is not getting enough iron is malnutrition and malabsorption of nutrients. They may even suffer from iron deficiency anemia.
Potassium, on the other hand, is an electrolyte that helps keep your dog hydrated. It is important so that the muscular and nervous system can do their jobs properly. Enzymes also need support from potassium. If your dog does not have enough potassium, this usually manifests in low energy, the inability to move properly, and a poor appetite.
Prebiotics
You might hear more about probiotics in day-to-day food that you find at the supermarket, or even in the news. But there is a big difference between the two. While they both deal with good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, they have different functions to serve.
Probiotics are the living strains of bacteria that you introduce to your gut by eating them. Once you consume them, they travel to your digestive system and become your line of defense against bad bacteria.
On the other hand, prebiotics is a plant fiber that feeds the good bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics help the new growth of good bacteria so that there is sufficient new growth that supports the ecosystem in your system. This is what pumpkin offers your dogs.
Fiber – Lots Of Fiber
This is an important component to introduce to any diet, as it aids in the proper digestion of food. This helps them pass their waste in a regular and healthy manner. It will also help you with your pick-ups on your daily walks!
Hopefully, this rests fears about whether or not can dogs have raw pumpkin. Do note that while pumpkin is good for your dog, too much could prove to be harmful. For one, too much fiber is not good and results in an imbalanced diet. Your dog also needs protein and other nutrients, and if fiber takes up too much space, your dog may not be able to absorb the other good stuff.
Another thing is the fact that pumpkins are a starchy product. This means that it’s particularly high in calories. If you have an active dog, that may mean burning them off is not such a big problem. However, if you have a low-energy dog, things might be a little tricky. If they don’t have the predisposition to exercise and activity, your dog might head into an issue of obesity.
Read more about Best Rottweiler Raw Food Recipes
How To Serve Your Dogs Raw Pumpkin
Of course, you can pile on the pumpkin on the doggie dish and call it a day, but this versatile food can be prepared in so many ways. Here are some fun ideas to serve raw pumpkin to your dog.
Plain Pumpkin
For the lazy ones out there – luckily enough, dogs absolutely love the plain stuff! Even the pure canned pumpkin is a safe and convenient option for your dogs. Make sure there are no other additives, like sugar and sodium. Stay away from the commercially available pie filling!
Fun Shapes For Treats
Another great way to introduce pumpkins into your dog’s diet is to make them into fun shapes and provide them as treats! Compacting the pumpkin mash into fun shapes is an engaging activity that you can do at home, and even have your kids in on the fun.
Dog Pumpkin Pie
While pumpkin pie filling for humans is not that good for dogs, you can devise your own doggie pie at home! Creating cakes and pies for dogs is very in vogue in social media these days. Why not build up your own creation using pure pumpkin filling? Let your imagination run wild with other things you can add.
If you have wondered is pumpkin good for dogs, there is no reason to doubt that it is excellent pet food. Do you feel like experimenting with pumpkin for your dog’s diet? What style are you leaning towards? Let us know in the comments below.