Pumpkin not only tastes good, but it has many health benefits for your dog. Pumpkin is something you should consider a year round staple for your dog’s diet. Your dog will love the taste of pumpkin and you’ll love the ways it keeps your dog healthy and happy.
Does your dog seem hungry all the time?
It’s possible his belly isn’t staying full and his “feed me” meter is screaming for more. One way to curb that is to add a tablespoon of pumpkin to his food. It’s true. Pumpkin can help your dog feel fuller for longer. You can even substitute a quarter cup of food for that tablespoon. The fiber content helps your dog feel full even though he’s eating less. Pumpkin also aids in slowing down the digestion process so your dog will want to eat less. This is great for dogs that might need to shed a couple of pounds.
Does your dog need more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants?
Pumpkin contains a few very important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Vitamins A and C are derived from the flesh of a pumpkin. Vitamin A promotes good eye sight and an overall healthy vision. Vitamin C promotes a strong immune system, which all dogs need to lead a strong, healthy life. That’s not all, either. Vitamin C is also known to help dogs with joint problems, which many senior dogs are plagued with. The mineral, zinc, will help your dog’s coat stay silky and shiny, too. While your dog can’t live forever, the beta-carotene in pumpkin can actually help in that area. Forever young? Well, it does slow down the aging process.
Does Tummy Trouble or tape worms send you running away in fear?
Pumpkin is great for tummy troubles. Whether your dog is constipated or has diarrhea, pumpkin can help. We mentioned that fiber slows digestion, right? Well, due to that simple fact, it helps to absorb water, thereby slowing down the runs. Similarly, the fiber can help loosen the pipes when needed as well. One more thing that many people don’t realize is that pumpkin boasts an amino acid called cucurbitin. It freezes intestinal parasites by paralyzing them. That’s about the most natural deworming process you can put your dog through.
While pumpkin can be considered as a very well rounded, natural supplement for dogs, you should also be warned of a few things. Too much vitamin A is highly toxic to dogs. That’s why you should strictly adhere to the suggestion that you only give your dog a few teaspoons a day for any reason. Also, you should only give your dog cooked or canned pumpkin. Avoid pie filling and raw pumpkin at all costs. Neglecting these tips could lead to serious ramifications for your dog.
So, there you have it. These are just some of the benefits of adding a little pumpkin to your dog’s diet. Cooked and canned pumpkin promotes good health and a long life. Why not keep pumpkin in your cabinet this fall season and beyond?
Recent Comments