Pumpkin
Pumpkin is an excellent addition to a dog’s or cat’s diet, offering both nutritional and medicinal benefits. Rich in fiber, it helps regulate the digestive system, relieving both diarrhea and constipation. It contains vitamins A, C, and E, as well as antioxidants that strengthen the immune system and promote healthy skin and coat.
What are the benefits of Pumpkin?
Here are some of the properties of pumpkin that contribute to the health of our pets:
1. Vitamins and Minerals
Pumpkin is packed with nutrients that dogs and cats need. It’s a great source of vitamins A, E, and C, which are important for the immune system, brain function, eye health, and skin.
Pumpkin also contains key minerals like potassium, copper, manganese, and iron, all of which play a role in cellular functions.
2. Eye Health
Like other orange vegetables, pumpkin is high in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. Once converted into vitamin A in the body, it helps improve vision, strengthens overall immunity, and promotes healthy skin and fur. The carotenoid zeaxanthin also protects the eyes from light-induced damage.
3. Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect against harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals are damaged cells that steal molecules from other cells, naturally occurring through metabolism and exposure to environmental toxins. If left unchecked, they can damage a dog’s and cat’s cells, even their DNA.
Antioxidants in pumpkin include plant pigments called carotenoids:
Beta-carotene
Zeaxanthin
Beta-cryptoxanthin
Carotenoids help reduce the risk of cancer and degenerative diseases. Studies show they may also benefit bone health. Like beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin forms vitamin A. Zeaxanthin helps slow aging, improve heart health, raise glutathione levels, and reduce skin inflammation.
4. Anti-parasitic
Pumpkin seeds are a natural and effective way to eliminate parasites from your dog’s and cat’s digestive tract. The seeds contain the amino acid cucurbitin, which paralyzes parasites. Studies on rats and puppies have shown pumpkin seeds' ability to eliminate these intestinal parasites.
5. Fiber
Pumpkin is a good source of fiber, which is excellent for digestive health. Soluble fiber in pumpkin absorbs water, helping to firm up loose stools when your pet has diarrhea.
Fiber can also help with the opposite issue, acting as a laxative for hard stools when constipated.
The fiber in pumpkin can further help your pet feel full for longer and may help prevent anal gland problems in dogs.
Pumpkin Seeds are as Nutritious as the Flesh
Pumpkin seed oil contains α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, α-tocotrienol, and γ-tocotrienol. These bioactive compounds are so potent that extracts from different parts of the pumpkin plant have anti-diabetic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.
You can also sprinkle a pinch of pumpkin seeds as a topping or include them as part of the meal. Pumpkin seeds are rich in amino acids, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, and cucurbitacins. These bioactive compounds make pumpkin seeds a promising medicinal ingredient due to their anti-helminthic, anti-diabetic, antidepressant, and cytoprotective properties.
Moreover, cucurbitacins may help combat microbial and parasitic infections in animals. A 2020 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences highlighted the antiparasitic capabilities of pumpkin seeds, thanks to cucurbitin, cucurbitacin B, and cucurmosin.
However, don’t rely solely on pumpkin seeds to remove parasites from your pet's digestive tract. If you suspect your pet has a parasitic infection, consult an Integrative Veterinarian.
How Pumpkin Helps with Diarrhea or Constipation
Pumpkin can often be a simple solution for mild diarrhea or constipation in dogs and cats. The key lies in its fiber content, which can help with both conditions.
If your pet has diarrhea, add pumpkin purée to their food for a few days until their stool firms up. The fiber absorbs excess water from the digestive tract.
For constipation, you can also add pumpkin purée to their diet. Ensure they drink plenty of water, as dehydration can also cause constipation. Fiber absorbs the extra water and helps ease bowel movements.
In the case of either diarrhea or constipation, if your pet doesn’t improve within a few days, contact a vet as it will be important to determine the underlying cause.
How to Offer Pumpkin to Your Dog
The valuable parts of the pumpkin are the seeds and the flesh.
Pumpkin Flesh
You can offer cooked or puréed pumpkin as part of the vegetable portion of your dog's regular meal.
Ideally, cook it until the flesh is soft (preferably steam it to preserve more nutrients) and purée it to increase digestibility and nutrient absorption. If your dog prefers something more chewable, you can offer it in cubes.
Daily Amounts:
Cats can eat between 5% to 15% of vegetables per day. For a cat, 10g of pumpkin is a good starting point. If it’s a large breed cat like a Maine Coon, offer a bit more.
Dogs can eat between 5% to 20% of vegetables per day. For every 10kg, offer about 20g of pumpkin.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are low in fat and high in protein. When using them, ensure you give your dog only raw, natural seeds, not salted and roasted ones.
The best way to give seeds to your dog is by grinding them so they can absorb all the benefits.
How to prepare:
Place the seeds in a container and cover them with lightly salted filtered water (for every ½ liter of water, add ¼ teaspoon of salt).
Soak for 12 to 24 hours. This reduces the concentration of anti-nutrients, such as phytic acid, which interferes with mineral absorption. Afterward, rinse with water, strain, and let dry.
Place the seeds in a food processor or grinder and grind them until fully crushed.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days or freeze for up to 30 days.
How much to offer:
¼ teaspoon for every 5kg of body weight, mixed into their food.
References
· Bark & Whiskers ; Pumpkin: A Spooky Halloween, Staple That’s Nutritious, Too
· Dogs Naturally Magazine; Health Benefits Of Pumpkin For Dogs; Nov 2022
· Cachorro Verde; Sementes para Cães e Gatos; Out 2021
· USDA FoodData Central; Pumpkin, cooked, boiled,drained, without salt
· ScienceDiret; Carotenoids in Pumplin and Impacto f Processing Treatments and Storage; 2015