Pumpkin & It’s Amazing Benefits For Pets!
Pumpkin For Our Pets – Not Just A Fall Treat!
It’s fall! Time for pumpkins! Pumpkin for everyone—even our pets! I always knew pumpkin was healthy and good for my dogs (and us!), but I never realized it had SO MANY wonderful benefits! As I started researching the benefits of pumpkin for pets, I was amazed! This stuff is incredible! Keep it on hand – it’s great all year long! I think I should start eating it too…..
Please Note! These is some generalized information—do your own checking if you are uncertain about something. Also, please consult your veterinarian before giving your pet pumpkin or changing your pet’s diet.
How To Use Pumpkin
First, start slow with small amounts (read further to find out why!) Never use pumpkin that’s old, or been on display for Halloween—pumpkins can go rancid and grow mold quickly. Many dogs, and maybe even some cats, love pumpkin, so it can be easily added to food or given as a treat. Both of my dogs love pumpkin and will eat it right off a spoon.
Using Pumpkin – A Variety Of Ways To Choose From
There are a number of different ways you can offer your pet pumpkin—raw straight from the pumpkin, freshly cooked, canned (which is already cooked), freeze-dried, or dehydrated. WOW! If possible, try to use organic.
Raw Pumpkin + Dogs can eat raw pumpkin as a treat, or pureed with a bit of water or unsalted broth + If feeding in pieces, cut the pieces into the appropriate size for your dog. + Remove the skin and seeds before feeding.
Fresh Cooked Pumpkin + Making your own pumpkin puree takes some effort, but in doing so allows for local (and hopefully organic) sourcing. + Pumpkin can be cooked in a variety of ways—steamed, boiled, or roasted + Use a small-ish pumpkin, such as a sugar pumpkin. Start by washing the outside, then cut out the stem and the bottom of the pumpkin. Clean out the seeds and inner “guts” and cut your pumpkin into pieces + The puree can be frozen for months or kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. To Boil: Fill a pot with enough water to cover the pumpkin, add the pieces and boil for about 30 minutes or until both the skin and inner pumpkin are tender. Carefully remove, let cool and blend/mash (with or without skin) until smooth To Steam: Place the pumpkin pieces in a large pot with just enough water to steam the pumpkin. Boil for about 30 minutes or until both the pumpkin and the skin are tender. Carefully remove, let cool and blend/mash (with or without skin) until smooth To Roast: Cut your pumpkin into wedges, and place on a cookie sheet – do not add any seasonings or oil. Roast in about a 400 degree oven for about 35 minutes, or until tender. Carefully remove, let cool and blend/mash (with or without skin) until smoot
Canned Pumpkin + The pumpkin in a can is already cooked and easy to serve. It’s that easy! Keep it covered and refrigerate after opening + Be sure to use 100% plain, pure pumpkin – not pumpkin pie filling or pumpkin with anything added to it, such as spices or sugar + This is my favorite because it’s easy to use, easy to get pretty much anywhere, I can stock up on it, and my dogs love it!
Dehydrated Pumpkin + Dehydrated pumpkin is easy to mix into any moist food or can be hydrated with water or other liquid + Dehydrated pumpkin is a natural, healthy chew Make Your Own Dehydrated Pumpkin Chews: Thinly slice a pumpkin and place the slices in a 125°F oven and bake until dry. Keep an eye on them, it’s a slow process and the amount of time it takes to dehydrate the pieces depends on the size/thickness of the slices. OR…use your dehydrator if you own one!
Freeze-Dried Pumpkin + I have seen freeze dried pumpkin available as treats
20 Amazing Health Benefits of Pumpkin
Get ready! This is a looong list!
Portion Size For Pumpkin + Ask your vet for guidance on the appropriate portion for your pet + The amount of pumpkin to be given will depend on the size of your pet and his/her current health issues + Serving size may range from 1 teaspoon once a day, all the way up to 2-4 ounces per meal
I hope you have gotten some good info from this blog! I’m off to eat some pumpkin with my pups!
