Are dogs able to eat pumpkin?

It’s officially the arrival of pumpkin spice season thanks to Starbucks, but we already know that this seasonal spice mix is not dog friendly. But what about actual pumpkin? Is that a dog safe treat?

As Fetch by WebMD explains, pumpkin is actually a doggy superfood. Not only does it help to soothe an upset stomach (in moderation), but it “also helps to remove excess water in a dog’s digestive tract.” Dog owners can even use this product to help their pups when they have diarrhea.

Basically, pumpkin is magic when it comes to dogs and we love that. The thing about pumpkin, is that it can be added to your dogs regular meal as needed or it can be used as an ingredient in pet friendly dog treats. The fact that it is actually a pretty versatile product for our dogs is a great reason to keep in on hand.

What are some of the benefits of pumpkin in our dog’s diet?

• Adds vitamins and minerals to your dog’s diet, such as potassium and iron, as well as Vitamins A, E, and C. Think of plain pumpkin as a boost to your dog’s overall nutritional needs.
• Aids in proper digestion, since it is high in soluble fiber. But, it is also great for lowering the levels of acidity in your pup’s intestines. Basically, this is a great product for keeping things moving in there in the right way.
• And much like it aids in digestion, it also soothes the stomach. So, if your pup isn’t feeling well then this can help get things back on track for them. (Of course, it is always a good idea to speak to a veterinarian before just completely changing your dog’s diet.)

What else you should know about pumpkin

Just because pumpkin is good and safe for your dog to eat, that doesn’t mean that there are not some things to pay attention to as well. In fact, while this is good for our dogs, it can still cause problems if we give them too much.

This is a high calorie ingredient, which means it should never be more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet. It’s also important to remember that too much fiber can also be a bad thing, so we should always try to be careful when incorporating this into your pup’s meals or treats.

All this to say that it looks like our pups can join us in our Fall foodie extravaganzas. Or at the very least, they can get into the Autumnal spirit with their own pumpkin treats.

Yes, pumpkin is dog safe and also good for your dog. But just like anything, it is important to remember moderation is key. Just like with us, too much of a good thing can easily become a bad thing.