As a pet parent, especially the first time around, I spent a lot of time researching what I could and could not feed my dog. When looking at vegetables, fruits, and healthy sources of carbohydrates to introduce to my dog’s diet, I stumbled upon the obvious question: is pumpkin good for dogs?
I say obvious because whenever you read about or talk to seasoned pet parents about things to feed your pooch, one food item that kept surfacing was pumpkin. If you’re anything like me, I’m sure you’ve pondered about it too. And have other questions and concerns before introducing a new item to your dog’s diet. For instance, why is pumpkin good for dogs? How to prepare pumpkin for dogs? How much pumpkin to give a dog daily? Or, can I give my dog pumpkin every day?
So, let’s take a look at each of them, and help you understand how pumpkin fares in terms of offering health and nutrition to your dog, any safety and caution you must exercise, and the best way to get the optimal benefits including pumpkin in your pet’s diet.
Why is Pumpkin Good for Dogs? So, first things first: why is pumpkin good for dogs? Primarily because it is a superfood for your canine companions, packed with a host of micronutrients such as vitamins A, C, and E, minerals like potassium and iron, besides being a great source of fiber and antioxidants. It promotes the growth of healthy digestive enzymes and promotes gut health. In fact, pumpkin is such a boon for your dogs’ gut health that pet parents have been using it to address both instances of diarrhea and constipation.