With Halloween coming up soon, many dog parents are wondering “Can Pugs eat pumpkin?” Pugs have a healthy appetite and won’t mind eating a slice of pumpkin or other other fall fruits and vegetables. Let’s take a look at whether or not you can share pumpkin with your pooch.
Can Pugs Eat Pumpkin?
Pumpkin is considered a superfood for pets and can aid in digestive, urinary health, and weight loss. Just a tablespoon of pureed pumpkin mixed in their regular dog food can help relieve both constipation and diarrhea.
As a pet parent, it’s important to know what Pugs can eat and the best way to introduce new foods to your dog’s diet. Here’s a list of fruits that Pugs can eat, to help you out.
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Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Pumpkin To Pugs?
This superfood not only has benefits for humans, but it also has huge benefits for our canine friends and is known to help Pugs with upset stomach issues.
Here are just a few of the benefits of feeding pumpkin to your four-legged friend.
Weight Loss
Pugs are prone to obesity and feeding them small amounts of pumpkin can help them shed weight. Try reducing their food portion and replace the portion with canned pumpkin. This will help her feel fuller without increasing her calorie intake, meaning she won’t crave food as often. The added volume and fiber will help ensure your pooch stays slim.
Urinary Health
Pumpkin seeds are beneficial for your pup too! The flesh contains antioxidants and the seeds have Omega 3 acids. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties which can be beneficial in reducing inflammation in renal disease and improving blood flow to the kidneys.
Skin & Coat
Pumpkin is rich in zinc and vitamin A, which can help improve the look and feel of your pet’s skin and coat. The high water content in pumpkin flesh will give your dog’s coat a shiny and lustrous look. This in turn can cause your dog’s skin to flake less resulting in less hair shedding on your carpets, clothing, and furniture.
Anti-Diarrheal
A tablespoon of canned pumpkin added to your dog’s food can help firm your dog’s loose stool. This fruit is high in fiber and can help ease digestive issues. It has also been known to help combat minor bouts of constipation.
Hydration
Canned pumpkin contains about 90% water, so it’s a great way to keep your four-legged friend hydrated. If you find it hard to get your pooch to drink water, try adding a tablespoon to their water bowl. This will help them get to drink more water and you’ll love the way it makes their coat look.
Fun Pumpkin Facts
Americans are obsessed with this orange-colored vegetable, in 2019 we spent approximately 377.23 million on pumpkins to carve jack-o-lanterns. Others enjoy baking, cooking, and roasting it to prepare fresh baked goods.
Here are some more fun facts about pumpkins that you may not know about.
- Speaking of jack-o-lanterns, the very first ones were made by carving turnips or potatoes.
- Pumpkins originated in North America around 7,000 – 5,500 BC.
- Pilgrims didn’t eat pumpkin at the original Thanksgiving day feast of 1621
Nutritional Facts
One cup of cooked pumpkin contains:
- Folate: 6% of the RDI
- Carbs: 12 grams
- Copper: 11% of the RDI
- Vitamin C: 19% of the RDI
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Vitamin K: 49% of the RDI
- Iron: 8% of the RDI
- Protein: 2 grams
- Vitamin E: 10% of the RDI
- Manganese: 11% of the RDI
- Folate: 6% of the RDI
- Calories: 49
This fruit is exceptionally high in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant.
Is Pumpkin Safe For Pugs?
Yes, as long as it is fed in moderation. Feeding your dog too much of anything can cause issues.
Digestive Problems Can Be Common
As with anything you feed your pooch, too much of anything can lead to problems. Pumpkin is high in fiber, Introducing too much fiber into your dog’s diet can cause your dog’s digestive system to process the food too fast, preventing their body from absorbing essential vitamins from their food.
If you’re using pumpkin to help them lose weight, make sure you do it slowly. Dropping weight too fast can lead to other health issues.
Now let’s take a closer look at the parts of a pumpkin that are good for Pugs and how to feed it to them.
Can Pugs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
Yes, pumpkin seeds are rich in phosphorus and magnesium. They also contain healthy amounts of iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and antioxidants. This makes them great as a natural de-wormer that can help rid tapeworms or other intestinal parasites.
The safest way to feed your Pug the seeds is to grind them up in a food processor and add it to their regular dog food. You can also roast or bake the seeds and feed it to them as a healthy snack.
Can Pugs Eat Canned Pumpkin?
Yes, but never feed them the canned pumpkin pie mix as it contains high amounts of sugar and spices. This organic canned pumpkin is designed specifically for pets, so you won’t have to worry about feeding your dog the wrong type.
It is sourced from local farms and high in antioxidants that will help your dog’s overall health.
Raw And Cooked?
Both raw and cooked are safe for canines, as long as it is not rotten and hasn’t been left on your porch for three weeks. Fresh pumpkins can last from 8-12 weeks, but jack-o-lanterns last about 5-10 days.
If your pup suffers from diabetes or chronic kidney disease, consult with your veterinarian.
Can Pugs Eat Pumpkin Guts?
Never feed your pooch the guts, as it contains a mass of strings and seeds that can cause your dog to choke. Clean the guts or brains of the pumpkin before feeding your pup.
How Can I Feed My Pug Pumpkin?
There are lots of creative and fun ways to introduce pumpkin into your dog’s diet.
When you’re carving a pumpkin, you can hand feed your pup a small piece to see how she reacts. If she doesn’t show any interest or doesn’t like the way it tastes, then don’t force it on her.
Pumpkin is a great addition to dog treats or homemade dog food. It can also be mixed with your dog’s regular store bought food.
You can mix 1-3 tablespoons of pumpkin to your dog’s regular dog food. Avoid feeding your dog pumpkin more than once a day, as too much fiber can lead to problems. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
You can even search online to find canine pumpkin treats that you can use to make your dog some homemade dog treats.
Alternatives To Pumpkin For Pugs
If your pup enjoys eating pumpkin, then you may want to consider giving them some of these other autumn vegetables. Giving your pup healthy fruits and veggies can be a great treat with fewer calories, and your pup will thank you for it.
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Pumpkin
If your Pug loves eating pumpkin, it’s okay to share a small portion with him/her. You may even want to consider feeding them Fruitables Pumpkin & Apple flavor doggie treats.
Feeding them the right foods and treats, can help your pooch live a long, happy, and healthy life!
References and Further Reading
PetMD – 3 Ways Pumpkin Can Help Keep Your Dog Healthy
Good Housekeeping – 16 Pumpkin Facts That’ll Make You Say “Oh My Gourd”