13 Benefits of Pumpkin for Pets

From your front doorstep, to pies, to lattes, pumpkins are everywhere this time of year! While you enjoy your pumpkin for the season, let your pet enjoy it too! Pumpkin has many health benefits for your furry friends, so consider adding it to their food or treat routine.  Their bodies will thank you too for this healthy snack!

Here are 13 ways pumpkin can benefit your pet:

1. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of protein, carbohydrates and fiber. Roast the seeds and then grind them up. Do not add salt.

2. Additionally, tapeworms and other intestinal parasites become paralyzed by cucurbitin, an amino acid in pumpkin seeds that acts as a natural de-worming agent.

3. Pumpkin flesh contains soluble fiber, which helps slows digestion, and can help manage diarrhea by absorbing water.

4. Alternatively, pumpkin also helps with constipation due to its high fiber and water content.

5. Pumpkin is great for “bulking up” your animal’s food. The extra fiber will also help a dog or cat feel full, even if they’re eating fewer calories overall. For this reason, pumpkin can aid in a pet’s weight loss program as well. Try substituting a tablespoon of canned pumpkin for a ¼ cup of food.

6. Since pumpkin slows digestion, your pet will feel fuller for longer.

7. Pumpkin flesh contains vitamin A, which is important for vision health.

8. The flesh also contains vitamin C, which boosts the immune system.

9. Dogs with joint problems need more vitamin C than they produce naturally, and pumpkin is a good source.

10. Pumpkin slows the aging process with its bountiful antioxidant beta-carotene.

11. The zinc in pumpkin will help improve skin and coat.

12. Oils found in pumpkin seeds and flesh are believed to support urinary health. Dogs with urinary incontinence, in particular, may benefit from a little pumpkin in their diet.

13. The fiber in pumpkin can help move furballs along through your cat’s digestive tract and into the litter box, rather than hacked up onto the carpet. Regularly including about a teaspoon a day of pumpkin in your cat's diet will also help prevent the formation of new furballs.


The best way to use pumpkin is to purchase plain canned pumpkin. You don’t want the “ready for a pie” version that has added fats and spices. Many pets like plain pumpkin, so you can just add it to their regular pet food. Talk to your veterinarian about how much pumpkin to safely give your pet since it will vary depending on your pet’s size and current diet.

Source: Animal Wellness Magazine, Pet MD, Pet360

Cold Weather Dog Myths Debunked

The cold months of fall are upon us, a time of year when we start to think about hunkering down for the winter. You want to prepare your pet just as much as you want to stock up on hot chocolate and logs for the fire, but there are a lot of myths out there about what you can and can’t do for your dog during the colder months. Fidose of Reality, an online canine-centered magazine, dives into and debunks these untruths. Here are some of the most common myths:

Myth: My dog is safe in the car during cooler months.

Fact: It is never safe to leave your dog alone in a car, period. Just as a car can magnify heat in the summer sun, it can function as a refrigerator on cool days. Leaving your dog alone also subjects them to other dangers like kidnapping. Even the five-minute store run can put your pet at risk.

Myth: Fleas and ticks go away in the fall and winter.

Fact: Although fleas and ticks may not be able to survive extreme winter temperatures, the cold may drive them towards the warmth of your home. Surviving bugs may latch on to your pet for warmth and survival, making them just as much of a threat as they are during warmer parts of the year. Continue to protect your pet as you do in the spring and summer months by using preventatives or other non-chemical protection.

Myth: My dog’s pads protect them from all elements of weather.

Fact: The fatty tissues in the pads of your dog’s feet do not freeze as quickly as other tissues, protecting them against many cuts, scrapes and scuffs that often come along with the outdoors. However, these tissues do not mean your pet is always protected. Ice, snow and other debris can accumulate or get stuck between your dog’s toes and pads, causing irritation. Be sure to clean your dog’s feet when they come inside, and for extreme conditions, consider protective booties. 

Myth: I can feed my dog pumpkin pie filling for an upset stomach.

Fact: While a small amount of canned pumpkin is a good source of fiber and can ease a dog’s upset tummy, the sugary canned pumpkin pie filling is NOT good for dogs. If you want to feed your dog pumpkin, make sure it is not the pie filling kind and feed between a teaspoon and tablespoon, depending on your dog’s weight.

Myth: My dog should gain some extra pounds in the cooler months to help keep warm.

Fact: You should never intentionally try to help your dog gain weight just because of the cooler months. Keep their diet the same during fall and winter months, and make sure they get regular exercise with indoor games and brisk walks. Although some dog’s weight may fluctuate throughout the year, you want to stimulate your pet’s mind and body all year round. 

Give Your Pup a Special Treat This Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and romance is in the air! February is when men and women scurry around in search for the perfect gift that would put a smile on their sweetheart’s face. But what if your sweetheart’s smile had a little more slobber around it than usual? Of course I’m talking about your furry four-legged little darling!

Besides the tons and tons of puppy love we give our dogs all year round, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to give them some extra special treats. But before you run off and give your dog the first tasty treat you see, remember that there are some treats that are harmful and should never be given to dogs, like chocolate and grapes. With this in mind, there are many Dog Approved People Foods that would keep your dog both healthy and super happy. Here are just a few:

1.  Peanut Butter. Popular with almost every dog, peanut butter is not only a good source of protein and nutrients, but it will keep them busy for the day. Stuff some into a Kong and watch your dog go!

2.  Cooked Chicken. Another good source of protein, chicken is some real people food that dogs go crazy for and makes them feel like they’re eating like kings!

3.  Carrots. This low calorie snack is full of nutrition and great for keeping your dog's teeth healthy and strong.  

4.  Pumpkin. A fantastic source of fiber, pumpkin can also do wonders for your dog’s digestive system.

5.  Apple. An apple a day keeps the doctor away! A crunchy snack, apples are not only full of vitamins, but they can also help keep your dog’s teeth sparkling white. Just remember to slice up the apple because the core and seeds can be a choking hazard.

These are just a few great snacks for your dog to enjoy. You should always be watchful of the portion size, to make sure you don’t go overboard with special treats. And if you ever have any doubts about what may or may not be healthy for your dog, please make sure you ask your veterinarian before doing so.
We are pleased to have Vin, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Vin is a passionate dog owner. We look forward to sharing his contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.

Source:
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