At Halloween pet owners often ask, can dogs eat pumpkin?
Is pumpkin safe for dogs?
If you are wondering, can dogs eat pumpkin, then you’ve come to the right place! At Barking Mad, we love to provide our furry best friends with a wide variety of tasty treats and are happy to provide the low down on this orange super food.
It is safe for dogs to eat pumpkin as long as it is fresh and cooked appropriately. Raw pumpkin can be hard for dogs to digest and you should certainly never feed them carved pumpkin which has been sitting around for a while, as mould and bacteria could make your pup unwell.
Does pumpkin have health benefits for dogs?
Pumpkin is a highly nutricious food which can be beneficial for dogs’ various bodily systems. It contains vitamins A, C and E, alpha carotene, calcium,iron and lutein, all of which can help keep your pooch healthy. Pumpkin is rich in fibre which can help manage weight by promoting a feeling of fullness and also help with digestive problems such as constipation or diarrhoea
How to cook pumpkin for dogs
There are several different ways for your dog to enjoy pumpkin. You can try:
- Roasted pumpkin – simply chop into pieces, discarding rind and inards and place on a lightly oiled tray before baking for approximately 30 minutes
- Pumpkin Kong – mash some cooked pumpkin with a little natural, unsweetened yoghurt and spoon into your dog’s Kong or other stuffable toy
- Baking pumpkin into your dog’s favourite homemade treats – see below for inspiration
Our favourite pumpkin dog treats
Why not try making homemade pumpkin for your four-legged best friend? A quick and easy method is to blitz a cup of rolled oats in a food processor, before adding half a cup of cooked pumpkin and quarter of a cup of natural peanut butter (ensure it contains no artificial ingredients such as Xylitol, which are dangerous for dogs). Blend further until a sticky dough is created, which you can roll out on a floured surface. Cut into pieces or use a cute cookie cutter, before placing the treats on a baking tray. Bake at 150 degrees celsius for 25-30 minutes until the treats appear hard and dry and then allow to cool.
Happy Halloween from Barking Mad Dog Care
Maintaining your dog’s diet and routine
At Barking Mad Dog Care, we understand that dogs really do become part of the family. It can be worrying when you have to go away and leave your dog and you may be concerned about their routine and diet. Who will make sure they have their usual tasty treats? How can you be sure they will get their tea at 6pm every night? At Barking Mad, we provide reassurance by completing a pet schedule with you. This means that life for your dog continues just as it would at home. Pet owners who use our award-winning dog home boarding service, provide all their dog’s usual food, treats, bedding and other essentials, so that continuity is ensured for their best friend.
Please note:
Barking Mad, the UK’s leading home dog boarding provider, assumes no liability for the content of this page. This advice is only intended as a guide and is not a substitute for a proper consultation with a vet. Please contact your local veterinary practice for advice or treatment about your dog’s diet or if you are worried about your pet’s health – even if they are closed, they’ll always have an emergency out of hours service available.
