The Benefits Of Adding Pumpkin To Your Pet’s Diet

• Posted on 5 October 2022
• By Dr. Jill Tack, Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor
• Posted in cats, Dog & Cat Feeding Tips, Dog & Cat Nutrition Tips, Dog & Cat Wellness, dogs, healthy pet food, Made In the USA Pet Food & Supplies, Natural & Safe Pet Food Options, Raw Dog & Cat Food Diet Tips
• 0

We are back to that time of year again where fall is in the air and it seems like everywhere we turn it's pumpkin spice season! We think pumpkin (minus the spice) is great for cats and dogs to help support their digestive system. Bonus points for this amazing plant because its nutritive properties for cats and dogs don’t stop at the digestive tract.

The Benefits Of Adding Pumpkin To Your Pet’s Diet

We are back to that time of year again where fall is in the air and it seems like everywhere we turn it's pumpkin spice season! We think pumpkin (minus the spice) is great for cats and dogs to help support their digestive system. Bonus points for this amazing plant because its nutritive properties for cats and dogs don’t stop at the digestive tract.

Fall Is Vegetable Season

When I think of fall veggies, they all have a color scheme in common. Just thinking about the inviting colors of yellow, orange, and red brings warmth as we prepare for the winter months. From a nutritional standpoint, it's best to feed the body veggies from all colors of the rainbow. However, as we go into the fall season here in the midwest and our squashes become abundant for nourishment through the winter months, it makes sense to me what pumpkins have to offer.

Let’s Talk Orange Veggies For Pets

Orange veggies tend to have a higher nutritional value of:

• magnesium 
• beta-carotene
• vitamin C, B2, and E
• potassium
• copper
• manganese
• and iron. 

Pumpkin is also low fat, low calorie, and high in water to support hydration. The skin and seeds are also edible. Seeds have long been used to help rid the digestive system of parasitic worms. Many of the vitamins and minerals that you find in pumpkin may also help boost the immune system, promote healthy skin, support heart health, and help with weight loss for both cats and dogs.

Pumpkin Aiding In Weight Loss For Cats & Dogs

Pumpkin can be our pet’s friends if they need to lose weight. Because of its low calories, and low-fat content, you can easily replace a portion of your pet's meal with pumpkin. This will help your dog or cat feel full when you replace some of the high calories from their food. Pumpkin is high in fiber which helps to curb the appetite. 

The Benefits Of Fiber For Pets

Fiber is a great way to support good colon health. Fiber is important in the diet to help peristalsis in the digestive system as well as help the body digest the nutrients from food. It can also help with stool regularity either from diarrhea or constipation. Fiber is often known to help remove fat from the colon wall along with removing toxins from the body. Higher fiber content is often found in the skin portion of our fruits and veggies.

The Best Pumpkin Products For Cats & Dogs

• SuperSnouts GI Balance - This pumpkin and apple-based fiber blend is a helpful supplement if your pet experiences constipation or diarrhea. It contains prebiotics to help maintain healthy intestinal flora, as well as ginger and fennel to help calm gas, bloating and upset stomach.
• Nature’s Sunshine Herbal Pumpkin - This capsulated herbal blend uses pumpkin seeds and other vermifuge herbs to help reduce intestinal parasites in your pet’s system. It can also be beneficial for animals who struggle with constipation issues.
• Grandma Lucy’s Pumpkin Pouches - You have a few choices with these pouches but they all contain our favorite fall veggie...pumpkin. Each pouch is blended with different superfoods to support the systems of the body. It’s a great way to boost your pet's bowl, add it as a midday snack, incorporate it into an interactive toy, and a fun way to add nutrients to your pet daily. We offer a variety of dietary supplements including Skin & Coat Support, Bladder Support, Inflammation Support, and Digestive Support to help aid your pet no matter the issue. 
• Primal Pumpkin Spice Goat Milk - Looking for a way to disguise the pumpkin? Goat milk might be the best way to get around that picky cat or dog. The goat milk seems to do the trick. Goat milk has many other additional benefits and qualities to help with gut health, and combined with pumpkin makes it a win-win.
• Herbsmith Scooter’s Butt Bars - Great for dogs with anal gland issues, whether they are chronic or acute. This high fiber treat can help with the expression of anal glands as well as bulking up stool. Let’s be real, it’s not a fun topic but it’s something that leads to dogs struggling with pain, licking, abscesses, infections, and inconsistent stools when the glands aren't functioning properly.
• Kin + Kind Healthy Poops - Great for dogs and cats who need the extra fiber in their diet. This powder can be easily disguised in canned food or raw food for your pet. This organic, non-GMO, and made in the USA supplement is a balanced source of fiber, protease, and enzymes for bowel regularity.

Ready To Add Pumpkin To Your Pet’s Diet?

Don’t be discouraged if your cat or dog doesn’t like pumpkin. You can also try squash, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and carrots. Let’s be real, personally, I don’t like pumpkin (do I dare say that out loud?!). However, I like the other options for fall but there are plenty of pumpkin lovers out there! Are you on team pumpkin? PS. If pumpkin really isn’t in the cards, you could snag a cute pumpkin toy for some fall fun!

Stop by our retail location in Madison Heights, Michigan, just north of Detroit, which is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, and Sundays from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm and look around for some Pumpkin goodies and try something new! or visit our 24/7 natural pet food, treats, toys, and supplies store online, or message us on Facebook for any inquiries! We'd love to help you with nutrition suggestions and support for your cats and dogs!