Reviewed by Vanessa Farner, DVM on March 11, 2021 Pumpkin is a superfood for dogs. It contains essential micronutrients and fiber that make it a very nutritious treat.
Besides being a natural stomach soother, pumpkin also helps to remove excess water in a dog's digestive tract. Pet owners have relied on pumpkin for a long time to reduce instances of diarrhea in their dogs. This means it’s good to know how to prepare and serve pumpkin to your pet. Pumpkin is a delicious
addition to a human diet, but it also has a number of health benefits for your dog. Mineral and vitamin-packed. Pumpkin contains vitamins like A, C, and E, as well as minerals like iron and potassium. Feeding plain canned pumpkin gives a great boost to your dog’s nutrition. Great for digestion. Due to its high soluble fiber content, pumpkin is very good for your dog’s
digestion. If you feed your dog some pumpkin, it will add bulk to their stool. This helps reduce issues with diarrhea. In addition, fermentation of the same fiber produces beneficial fatty acids that supply energy to cells. Pumpkin also aids in lowering the acidity level of your dog’s large intestines. Prebiotic
powerhouse.Prebiotics are essential compounds found in specific foods. Among them are pumpkin and butternut squash. Prebiotics support the presence of important bacteria in the digestive tract. Feeding dogs prebiotic foods is a great way to strengthen their digestive health. While pumpkin may be a great
choice to add to your dog’s diet, it’s important to remember that you can have too much of a good thing. Too much pumpkin in your dog’s diet can cause some harmful effects. Nutrient deficiencies. While some people add pumpkin to their dog’s diet to boost fiber intake, too much fiber can be dangerous. Adding a lot of fiber from pumpkin or other fiber-rich foods may decrease how much protein and other nutrients your pet can absorb from their food, putting them at risk for
deficiencies. High in calories. Pumpkin is a starchy vegetable that is high in calories in addition to fiber. Having any one food make up more than 10% of your dog’s total calorie intake is not good. Potentially high in sodium. It is important to always check canned pumpkin before buying it for your dog. Some canned pumpkin brands with salt can have nearly 600 milligrams of sodium per cup, which is
too much sodium for a dog with heart or kidney disease. May contain dangerous additions. It is essential that you differentiate between pumpkin pie filling and canned pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling has added fat, sugar, and spices like cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Some of these spices can be toxic to your dog. Plain canned pumpkin consists of pumpkin flesh, which is generally safe for your dog. How Much Pumpkin Should I Give My Dog?Add one to four pumpkin tablespoons per meal to your dog’s diet. Always start with small quantities to avoid adding too much fiber. If you have doubts about the amount of pumpkin to add to your dog's diet, always consult your veterinarian. How to Prepare Pumpkin For Your DogThe following are the best ways to prepare and serve pumpkin for dogs: Canned pumpkin. Plain canned pumpkin is easy to feed your dog as you don't need to cook it. Ensure it doesn’t have additives, and serve it directly. Freshly baked pumpkin. To prepare fresh pumpkin, remove the seeds and bake it in your oven until it is soft. Crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds. You may also add pumpkin seeds to your dog’s diet as a crunchy treat. Clean and roast fresh seeds for one hour at 350 degrees. Let them cool, and then grind them up into your dog’s food. You may also feed them whole, but be sure to consider the size of your dog — very small dogs or puppies may not handle them well. Cool pumpkin purée. Peel a whole pumpkin and remove the seeds, then slice it into chunks. Simmer the flesh in boiling water for 20 to 30 minutes or until it’s tender. Drain and mash it into a smooth paste. Pumpkin purée will keep for three to four days in the fridge and six months in the freezer. Make sure to defrost it completely when adding to another recipe. Top Health Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs and CatsDid you know that cooked pumpkin can actually be good for your Dog and Cat? This remarkable vegetable is a cost effective source of many a good nutrient to help keep your pet in good health and tip top shape. Weight LossPumpkin is low in calories so if your dog or cat needs to shed a kilo or two, replacing some of your pet’s kibble or canned meal with some cooked, mashed pumpkin. It will fill their tummy without adding to their waistline. Most dogs like the taste of pumpkin so acceptance shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Cats on the other hand, are fussier eaters, so you may need to mix in the small amount of pumpkin with their canned food to avoid them eating around it. Full of Healthy GoodnessPumpkin is loaded with essential nutrients such as Vitamins A,C and E as well as the B – complex group – Niacin, Folates, Vitamin B6 Thiamine and pantothenic acid. Its also rich in mineral like Calcium, Phosphorous, Potassium and Copper.  Digestive UpsetsPumpkin is a natural source of fibre. Cooked and mashed pumpkin with no added salt can help settle down an upset stomach , improve digestion, reduce anal gland problems, prevent hairball build up and help dogs and cats with both constipation and diarrhoea. Try cooking up a batch of pumpkin puree and freezing in individual portions which you can add to your pet’s meal on a daily basis. A tablespoon or two (depending on your pet’s size) is all you’ll need on a regular basis for maintaining digestive health. There’s no need to add any salt or flavourings as these are both unhealthy additives plus the pumpkin has a natural sweet flavour anyway which most dogs like. Pumpkin for Cats and Dogs with Constipation or DiarrhoeaWhen animals have diarrhoea, they can lose important electrolytes, including potassium, which puts them at risk of dehydration. Pumpkin happens to be an excellent source of potassium, with 505 milligrams of naturally occurring potassium per cup. Pumpkin is also safe for diabetic patients. How much pumpkin do I add to my pet’s meal?For a small cat or dog
start off with a 1/2 – 1 teaspoon mixed with their food increasing to 1-2 teaspoons if necessary. Can Dogs and Cats eat pumpkin every day?Yes – you can certainly add small amounts of pumpkin to their meal every day. The additional fibre from a daily dose can have many health benefits including:
⚠ CAUTION: – This remedy is for simple and short term digestive upsets only. If your dog or cat’s diarrhoea or constipation persists after 24 hours – please see your vet.Originally published 2019. Content updated for 2021 How long does it take for pumpkin to help a dog's stomach?How Long Does Pumpkin Take to Work? Most cases of simple diarrhea will resolve with pumpkin and a bland diet in one to three days. If your dog is very young or very old, always talk to your veterinarian at the first sign of loose stools.
Will pumpkin soothe dogs stomach?The Benefits of Canned Pumpkin
Pure canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix!) is full of fiber and nutrients that can help your dog's digestion. By simply mixing a tablespoon or so into your dog's food, you can help alleviate mild cases of constipation, diarrhea and upset stomach.
How often should I give my dog pumpkin for an upset stomach?A rapid change could cause an upset stomach. Usually, it is recommended that you give your dog about one to four tablespoons of canned pumpkin a day. This amount of pumpkin varies with the size of dog. Therefore, small dogs usually need less than big dogs.
How fast does pumpkin work for a dog with an upset stomach?It doesn't take much pumpkin to see results. For a small dog or cat, start with a ½ teaspoonful, increasing to one or two teaspoons if necessary. For large dogs, start with a tablespoonful of canned pumpkin and slowly increase the amount if needed. You should see improvement in your pet within a few hours.
|
How does pumpkin help a dogs stomach?
Postagens relacionadas
direito autoral © 2024 cemle Inc.
