Pumpkins are so much more than a Halloween decoration! Loaded with vitamins and nutrients, these gourds can be a great addition to your pet’s diet!
Pumpkin is especially high in fibre which helps to regulate digestion. Fibre works to stimulate the digestive track and helps absorb excess moisture. and pass their stools. In cats, this also helps them pass hairballs rather than coughing them up.
If your dog or cat is overweight, a diet rich in fibre can make your pet feel full and reduce the amount of kibble they want to eat. Since pumpkin is lower in calories than kibble, trading kibble for pumpkin helps reduce their calorie intake to a healthy level while keeping your pet feeling full.
Pumpkin seeds are full of linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is the essential fatty acid required by pets for a healthy skin and coat. Always feed pumpkin seeds that are roasted, unsalted and ground as whole, unroasted seeds can be a choking hazard. Pumpkin is also rich in beta-carotene, Vitamin C, potassium and iron.
TIP: There is such thing as too much of a good thing! Adding too much fibre to your pet’s diet can upset their digestive system, leading to gas, bloating, cramping and diarrhea. Pumpkin also contains a lot of Vitamin A, which is beneficial for vision health but can be toxic if more than the dietary requirement is fed to your pet. Always consult your pet’s veterinarian to be sure that adding pumpkin to your pet’s diet is right for them.
