Pumpkin or “squash” are terms commonly used to refer to various species of large, hard-shelled berries. The varieties belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family (Cucurbita), native to the American continent, are especially popular in human consumption. Pumpkin is used in the preparation of sweet and savoury recipes, and even its seeds have become very popular thanks to their high content of vitamins and minerals and can be considered as a natural supplement.
Considering the nutritional value and properties of pumpkin, many guardians wonder if they can offer this food to their furry to supplement their nutrition and what they should consider before doing so. Thinking about it, in this AnimalWised article, we will talk about the possible benefits of pumpkin for dogs, the doses and necessary precautions of its incorporation in the canine diet.
Autumn is coming and, with it, finally the pumpkin harvest. The colourful pumpkin is more popular today than ever, in soup, cream, risotto or baked. And it is not only beautiful and delicious, but it is very healthy. But can dogs also eat pumpkins?
Is pumpkin good for dogs?
Yes, pumpkin for dogs is also very healthy. Potimarrón, butternut squash and other varieties are real vitamin bombs that your dog can also benefit from. This winter vegetable is rich in dietary fibre and contains essential vitamins, such as A, C and E, and the minerals magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc. Just as varied is its effect on the health of our dogs; these are some of the benefits of pumpkin for dogs:
Stimulates digestion and metabolism.
Prevents constipation.
Strengthens the immune system.
It expels toxins from the body.
Protects against urinary tract infections.
Helps males with prostate diseases.
Improves insulin regulation.
It helps to lose weight.The same happens with pipes and pumpkin seed oil, whose anti-inflammatory and adjuvant effects in diseases of the urinary tract and prostate and deworming treatments have been confirmed in scientific studies on animals.
What Pumpkins Are Good For Dogs?
Edible pumpkins, such as potimarrón, butternut, passion, butternut, and spaghetti, are not only a treat for us but also dogs. They can be eaten pureed, roasted, steamed or baked.
Important: Buy them only in the supermarket or in organic stores. Pumpkins from the supermarket do not contain dangerous bitter substances (cucurbitacins) and are safe for dogs. In the professional cultivation of cucurbits, to which zucchini and cucumber also belong, these substances are discarded.
Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin?
Not all varieties of squash are suitable for dogs to eat.
Is pumpkin toxic to dogs?
Despite all this, dogs should not eat just any squash. Be careful with pumpkins grown in your garden and wild varieties that grow in the field. These can contain dangerous bitter substances, which are toxic to people and animals.
So never give your dog these wild or personally grown pumpkins. Cucurbitacins can cause serious and even fatal poisoning.
Remember that even boiling the pumpkin cannot kill these bitter substances.
Beware of decorative pumpkins.
Decorative pumpkins, so popular as fall decorations, are off-limits to dogs. They are not suitable for consumption and are highly toxic to dogs, so they should not be eaten.
If you don’t want to give up decorations, put them out of reach of your furry. Otherwise, a playful puppy or curious dog might want to try this colourful decorative veggie. If you notice that your dog has eaten a decorative pumpkin, take him to the vet immediately.
Symptoms of pumpkin poisoning in dogs
The intake of bitter, toxic substances, present in wild and decorative gourds, manifests in dogs and people, mainly with gastrointestinal symptoms. These are:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Excessive salivationOther signs of pumpkin poisoning can be extreme tremors or cramps. In addition, it can result in anaphylactic shock or even the death of the animal.
If your dog shows any of these symptoms after eating a pumpkin, take him to the vet as soon as possible or report it to the animal rescue service.
The first thing you can do at home as a first-aid measure gives her charcoal tablets. The Active carbon, essential in your first aid kit, prevents toxic substances from reaching the blood.
To ensure that the pumpkin is safe for your dog and does not contain bitter, toxic substances, taste a piece before giving it to him. Do the same with the zucchini and cucumber, which are also cucurbits.
Unlike dogs, people have about 9000 taste receptors, which is why we perceive bitter substances earlier. Although dogs detect them too, unfortunately, they often do so too late. Since they are zampabollos, most swallow the bitter gourd before the taste buds go off the alarm.
Conclusion: dogs can eat pumpkin from the supermarket and organic stores
The good news is that if you buy pumpkins at the grocery store, you don’t have to worry about poisons. As we said before, a quick taste test will give you the definitive answer.
The varieties of professional cultivation, such as potimarrón, butternut and others, are very tasty and reinforce the health of the furry one. Pumpkin is also suitable, and a healthy complement to Fall began and brought us one of the most delicious seasonal vegetables: pumpkin. We tell you what the properties and benefits of this fruit so characteristic of these dates are.
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Low calorie
Pumpkin has 90% water in its composition, which is why it is low in calories and rich in fibre, which is why it helps digestion and gives a greater feeling of satiety.
Excellent anticancer
Pumpkin has high levels of beta-carotene, which is a great aid to prevent lung or prostate cancer.
Help take care of your eyes.
Pumpkin usually has a high content of vitamin A, which is very good for eye health and prevents eye ailments, such as cataracts.
Good to your heart
Pumpkin is an excellent ally to combat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension.
Excellent for diabetic patients
Diabetes patients are advised to include pumpkin as it is capable of regulating blood sugar levels.
