When you think of favorite fall foods, pumpkin is probably one of the first to come to mind. If you’re like most of the population, you love pumpkin everything when the weather cools down. And, of course, you don’t want to leave your favorite pup out of the enjoyment, but you also don’t want to give him food he can’t eat. That’s where we come in! Read on to learn everything you need to know about puppies and pumpkin:
Is Pumpkin Safe for Dogs?
Yes! It turns out that pumpkin isn’t just safe for dogs, it’s actually great for them. Pumpkin is loaded with all the good stuff like vitamin A, C, and E; calcium and iron; and an important vitamin called lutein. These nutrients go a long way in helping your pup stay healthy.
Vitamin A and C help keep your dog’s immune system strong enough to fight away harmful infections and diseases. Calcium is great for your pup’s bones and teeth, which is especially important as your dog ages. Iron can help keep your dog’s blood levels in check, and lutein is wonderful for enriching his coat, skin, and fur.
How to Feed Pumpkin to Your Pup
When you think of pumpkin, you might be thinking of all the spices that give pumpkin-flavored everything its nostalgic taste like nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. These spices are harmful to your dog, so make sure when you feed him pumpkin, you’re giving him the all-natural, no-spice stuff.
Plain, canned pumpkin is your safest bet for letting your dog indulge in the holiday favorite. But be careful, Vitamin A in high doses can be extremely toxic and even fatal to dogs. Make sure you consult your vet to know exactly how much canned pumpkin your dog can handle.
And while it might be cute to let your pup nibble on a jack-o-lantern, it’s not safe. The stem and raw pulp can be harmful and cause digestive upset. If your dog gravitates toward pumpkins and starts to take a bite, correct their behavior and offer a teaspoon of canned pumpkin or a store-bought pumpkin treat instead.
