Oh My Gourd: The Smart Way to Share Pumpkin With Your Dog
Low calorie, high fiber and easy on the tummy, pumpkin is a great extra when it is prepared the right way.
Pumpkin is one of the most underrated foods you can share with a dog. It is low in calories, packed with fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, and gentler to digest than potato, which is why it often shows up in diets for sensitive stomachs.
How to serve it
- Offer plain, cooked or boiled pumpkin in bite-size pieces. Raw chunks can cause choking or blockages.
- Peel off the tough skin first.
- Plain canned pumpkin with no additives is fine. Pumpkin pie filling is not, thanks to sugar, spices and cream.
- Seeds are fatty, so keep them to a tiny treat.
- Think topper, not meal. Pumpkin should add to a balanced diet, never replace it.
The golden rule
Never feed pumpkin that is moldy or has been sitting out as decoration. If you would not eat it, your dog should not either.
Friendly reminder: this summary is for general info only. Your own vet knows your pet best.
