If you’ve ever taken your dog to the veterinarian for constipation, diarrhea, or another digestive issue, there’s a good chance that your veterinarian’s first recommendation was to add some pumpkin to their diet. A lot of us are familiar with the fact that pumpkin can improve a dog’s digestive health, thanks to its high fiber content, combined with the fact that it’s gentle enough for a dog’s sensitive tummy. But, to only focus on pumpkin’s fiber is a mistake, since it’s actually a superfood that can do all kinds of wonders for your canine’s wellbeing.
Pumpkin also happens to be inexpensive, and it appeals to most dogs’ taste buds, making it a no-brainer when it comes to incorporating nutrient-dense food into their daily diet. We’re going to examine all of the ways in which pumpkin can improve your dog’s health while sharing helpful tips for how you can make it a staple of their daily routine.
10 Ways in Which Pumpkin Can Boost Your Pup’s Health
Pumpkin is a fruit belonging to the squash family and has an earthy, slightly sweet flavor. It’s also one of the most benefit-rich foods on the planet, bringing a wide variety of health benefits to your furry friend, and we’re going to go over those benefits now.
Method #1: Pumpkin Can Remedy Diarrhea
Pumpkin can be a godsend for a dog who is experiencing diarrhea. Because pumpkin has a high concentration of soluble fiber, it absorbs water in your dog’s stool, making it less runny and bulkier to pass in a more solid form. It’s useful if your dog is prone to having an upset stomach because constant diarrhea can be extremely dehydrating to a dog, forcing much-needed fluids out of the system through the digestive tract, which can potentially leave their bodies low in fluids and electrolytes. Just 2 tablespoons a day can stop diarrhea in its tracks.
Method #2: Pumpkin Can Alleviate Constipation
Constipation is a common issue in dogs, and thus, can become more severe as they age. If your dog is often constipated, simply giving them a daily dose of pumpkin can serve as a great way to keep them regular. Now, if constipation is severe or chronic, then you do need to schedule an appointment with your vet – ASAP if they haven't been eliminated in more than 48 hours. Sometimes, the cause is as simple as an ingredient in their diet, and other times, it can be a sign of a more serious issue, such as an obstruction, or a digestive disease.
Because of its fiber content, pumpkin can not only ease diarrhea but alleviate constipation, and the fact that it’s a completely natural, nutrient-rich ingredient makes it a fantastic alternative to prescription drugs intended for constipation. Basically, pumpkin has the ability to make stool looser by breaking it down when it’s compacted in the lower digestive tract, allowing it to pass through the bowels easily.
Method #3: Pumpkin Can Help Your Dog with Their Weight
Pumpkin is low in calories, super high in nutrients, and extremely filling because of its fiber content, which means that it can help your dog maintain a healthy weight. Giving your dog pumpkin treats daily provides them with a low-calorie snack that can keep them full for a long time, so they’re less likely to overeat and end up gaining unnecessary weight. Pumpkin is therefore a great snack or treat as an alternative to something with more calories.
Method #4: Pumpkin Can Benefit Skin
It’s easy to overlook issues with your dog’s skin because it’s covered in fur. But, many dogs do end up with skin conditions due to exposure to allergens, autoimmune issues, and more. The nutrients in pumpkin happen to promote good skin health, allowing your dog to maintain not only healthier skin but a healthier coat as a result. The vitamin E in pumpkins benefits both the skin and their fur, allowing their coat to be shinier, smoother, and less prone to tangles.
Method #5: Pumpkin Can Support Cognition
It turns out that there are several nutrients in pumpkin that boost brain health. And, many of us underestimate the role of cognitive decline in canines, despite it being incredibly common in aging dogs. Just like humans, dogs can experience cognitive decline once they become seniors, and this can lead to all sorts of difficulties including aggression, anxiety, forgetfulness, disinterest in play, and the development of bad habits such as eliminating inside, and even vocalizing excessively.
Method #6: Pumpkin is Rich in Iron
Iron is a mineral that the body needs in order to make hemoglobin, which enables red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Low iron levels are associated with anemia, a condition that can lead to major health problems like muscle weakness, enlarged heart, fatigue, cold intolerance, and even heart disease if left untreated. Because of that, the body cannot survive without iron, and while many dog foods contain high levels of iron, some dogs are naturally prone to anemia and require added supplementation.
Method #7: Pumpkin is Packed with Potassium
Another key nutrient in pumpkin is potassium, which is a mineral that’s classified as an electrolyte. As an electrolyte, potassium prevents dehydration by preserving fluids in the body and encourages healthy nervous system function by aiding in the nerves’ ability to communicate. Potassium can also ease muscle spasms and can have an impact in terms of stroke prevention.
Method #8: Pumpkin Has Lots of Antioxidants
Pumpkin is actually extremely high in antioxidants, including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin, which can take care of excess free radicals in the body that lead to oxidative stress. Free radicals are molecules that are produced by the body’s metabolic process, that are able to kill bacteria that can harm the body. High levels of free radicals, however, can cause serious health problems, such as cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals to prevent cell damage caused by oxidative stress.
Method #9: Pumpkin is High in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that the body requires to survive, and the body cannot produce it on its own. Pumpkin is very rich in vitamin C, which can benefit your dog in all kinds of ways. Vitamin C plays a major role in benefiting the immune system, reducing the risk of infection while generally improving physical well-being. Vitamin C can also help your dog maintain healthy blood pressure, reduce the risk of chronic disease, improve heart health, prevent gout, and supports the absorption of iron, another critical nutrient.
Method #10: Pumpkin Contains High Levels of Vitamins A and E
Two other essential vitamins in pumpkin are vitamins A and E, and pumpkin is a particularly good source of both of these vitamins, with high concentrations of each. Vitamin A plays a major role in our eyesight, particularly helping prevent night blindness, and slowing down age-related decline in eyesight. Vitamin A may also play a role in decreasing the risk of certain types of cancer while boosting the immune system and supporting bone health.
Vitamin E, meanwhile, can prevent heart disease, while reducing the risk of certain cancers, reducing the risk of eye disorders, and preventing the risk of cognitive decline – all conditions that can affect a dog as they age.
How to Give Pumpkin to Your Dog
If you’re eager to get your dog started on a daily pumpkin routine, now that you know all of the amazing benefits that this superfood can offer, you have a few options. The key is that no matter what, you’ll want to be sure you’re giving your dog the highest-quality pumpkin possible. Allow us to elaborate.
By the Spoonful
One option is to simply give your dog 1-4 spoonfuls of pumpkin a day, and you can buy canned pumpkin at any food store (or make it from fresh pumpkin if you choose). The thing to keep in mind is that canned pumpkin can be misleading, so read the label. Surprisingly, a lot of canned pumpkin you find in the supermarket actually contains a lot of sweet potatoes, with a small amount of pumpkin mixed in. Many dogs enjoy the flavor of pumpkin and will happily lick it right off of the spoon.
Mixing it into Their Food
Another option is to mix the pumpkin directly into their food. Again, 1-4 tablespoons is the recommended dosage based on their weight, as well as the severity of their needs – for instance, 1-2 tbsp is great for supporting their overall health, while a very constipated dog may need 4 tbsp daily until their constipation is alleviated. We said before that many dogs like the taste of pumpkin, but keep in mind that some dogs do not like when their favorite food is tampered with, and even may choose not to eat it simply because it’s different from what they’re used to.
Homemade Pumpkin Treats
If you’re someone who enjoys baking, you can most certainly make some DIY pumpkin treats for your beloved canine. There are, in fact, a lot of recipes online, allowing you to explore different flavor combos and textures to find something that totally speaks to your dog’s personal preferences.
Premade Pumpkin Treats
Finally, you can buy pumpkin treats premade from a trusted retailer that makes high-quality canine products. This is our favorite option because it makes it very easy to work pumpkin into your dog’s routine. Already portioned out, and easy to give to your dog daily, they can contain enough pumpkin to give your dog the full array of benefits.
If you’re going to go this route, just make sure that you’re buying from a trusted, reputable manufacturer who has lots of great reviews, and read the ingredients carefully, to avoid unwanted fillers, allergens, and anything else that can take away from the quality (and safety) of the product – especially since this is something that you’ll be ideally giving to your dog once a day.
CBD Pumpkin Dog Treats: Give Your Dog the Very Best
CBD is the dominant cannabinoid in the hemp plant, and it’s both nonintoxicating and nontoxic. Not only that, but studies have found that it’s incredibly beneficial to dogs as well as humans since all mammals share an endocannabinoid system, which sends CBD to cannabinoid receptors in the systems of the body to create homeostasis. CBD has been studied extensively for its various useful properties, all of which can support your dog’s daily and long-term needs.
These properties include the ability to:
- Improve appetite
- Decrease stress
- Improve sleep
- Decrease seizure activity
- Reduce inflammation
- Offer analgesic effects
- Reduce nausea and vomiting
- Reduce aggression
- Reduce cognitive decline
Dog treats that contain both CBD and pumpkin are able to offer your dog a powerful combination of benefits in every bite, while being safe to give your dog daily. They can also make it easy to give your dog a daily dose of cannabidiol since pumpkin dog treats typically appeal to your dog’s senses.
Pumpkin + CBD: The Dog Treats at Chill Paws
At Chill Paws, we’re excited to release our CBD dog treats that bring together a superfood with one of the most beneficial natural substances in the world. Powerfully effective yet gentle enough for a dog’s body, these treats are made with only natural ingredients and are flavored to appeal to your dog’s senses. Even better, their soft, chewy texture is ideal for dogs with sensitive teeth, while being irresistible to any canine.
Administering your dog a combo of CBD and pumpkin on a daily basis can boost their well-being in all kinds of ways, and at Chill Paws, we make it super easy to turn both ingredients into a simple part of their daily routine. Pet owners have been relying on us for years to provide their dogs with the very best, purest, and most effective cannabidiol products, all of which have undergone extensive third-party testing. Give our CBD treats a try today!
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