Why you should add pumpkin to your dog’s food this fall
Fall is here and pumpkin season is in full swing. While pumpkins make for beautiful home decor and add a tasty touch to your pumpkin spice latte, research shows that pumpkin is also good for your dog’s health.
Pumpkin provides health benefits such as:
- Soluble fiber – slows digestion, prevents diarrhea, helps maintain a healthy weight
- Zinc – improves skin and coat
- Vitamin C – Boosts the immune system
- Ground pumpkin seeds can help with intestinal worms
Fresh or canned pumpkin can be added to your dog’s food year round for these wonderful benefits. Plus, pumpkin contains only 34 calories per 100 grams so it is generally safe for dogs on special diets.
How to add fresh pumpkin to your dog’s food:
- Cut one small pumpkin into 3 inch pieces, removing seeds. (Seeds can be saved, washed, and roasted for later use.)
- Place pumpkin pieces in a glass dish, add 1/4 cup of water, cover with foil and bake on 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes. Pumpkin is done when it can be pierced easily with a fork. Let cool before handling.
- Scrape the inside pumpkin out and discard the skin. Store your pumpkin in a container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a year.
- Add to your dog’s food as desired.
What else do you add to your dog’s food during the fall season? We recommend probiotics and digestive enzymes with every meal!
