It's Halloween! Which means Pumpkin time for your Dog

by John Hodges

With Halloween just around the corner food shops, farmer markets and superstores are stocking up on all shapes, colours and size pumpkins for families to carve and illuminate pumpkins displays for their gardens and doorsteps. I imagine a lot of the pumpkin flesh gets thrown into the waste bin, much to the family dogs disgust.

Pumpkin flesh and seeds are an amazing source of nutrition for not only your family but your drooling pooch. The flesh and seeds are full of vital vitamins, minerals, fibre and are cheap and easy to prepare. It can also be made into delicious doggie treats, all of which can be frozen and used throughout the year. (recipes will be coming in the next blog entry)

Below is a list of seven important benefits for your dog from the consumption of pumpkin. Its got to be better than expensive vet bills and the nasty side effects that go hand in hand with the expensive medication that in my opinion is often over and wrongly prescribed.

Now go and buy a HUGE seasonal orange gourd, get carving Halloween displays and prepping doggie meals in the kitchen, the kids and your dogs will love you even more.

PUMPKIN BENEFITS FOR YOUR DOG

EYE HEALTH

As with humans, vitamin A (beta-carotene) is essential for eye health. It helps prevent macular degeneration, cataracts and night blindness. Pumpkin along with carrots are a great source of this vital vitamin.

GENERAL IMMUNE SYSTEM INTEGRITY

The most famous vitamin associated with human health is vitamin C which helps support all functions of the immune system.

Along with Vit A and Vit E found in Pumpkin are rich in Vit C. It will help prevent certain cancers and destroy dangerous free radicals in yours and your dogs’ body.

BOWEL AND URINARY TRACT SUPPORT

Pumpkin flesh and seed are a rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids. These vital anti-inflammatory fatty acids can help remove kidney stones and prevent urinary tract infection which ultimately can develop into more serious health problems. Also because of pumpkin in high in soluble fibre, it helps prevent constipation or diarrhoea, a common complaint in the dogs with poor commercial diets.

WEIGHT LOSS

Because of the high water content and soluble fibre in pumpkin, it can help remove stored toxins in your dogs’ body, acting like a sponge, removing the toxins that have been locked up by the immune system with fat cells. Regular addition of pumpkin, either canned or fresh will help maintain your dogs' weight and therefore overall health.

METABOLIC EFFICIENCY, MUSCLE INTEGRITY AND BLOOD PRESSURE

One of the most important all-round benefits of eating regular pumpkin supplemented meals is that it’s a great source of Potassium; ask any athlete about the importance of a regular, natural source of potassium. Everybody thinks of bananas as being the easiest source, maybe the marketing, as well as taste, has made this the most common go-to food but a pumpkin will go much further because of size. Prepare it and freeze so that it’s always at hand come meal times. Trust me your dog will love the sweet, creamy texture of pumpkin, you can even add a little honey or cinnamon for an added treat.

SKIN AND FUR

Nothing looks better than a dog with a shiny, healthy looking coat of fur. As well as all the vitamins and water content I’ve previously mentioned, Pumpkin is also rich in Zinc. This is the mineral that all the cosmetic companies promote in shampoos and body lotions to help maintain good hair and skin. The same applies to your dogs. Give them a makeover every day with a little pumpkin love.

PARASITES

Dogs can easily become infested with parasites such as tapeworms which they can pass on to humans. This wreaks havoc on the digestive system with symptoms including weight loss, scruffy coat and dry skin.

Pumpkin has a high concentration of the Amino Acid Cucurbitin which is toxic to most parasites and is often used to expel parasites in ruminants such as cattle, sheep.

PORTION SIZE

Recommended 1-4 tablespoons per day depending on the size of the dog.

IMPORTANT: Do not feed RAW Pumpkin flesh or seeds, only cooked or canned.