The 1 surprising fruit that is very good for your dog

Vets have warned there are plenty of fruits that are dangerous to your dog. Cherries for example.The pits, stems, and leaves in cherries contain cyanide, which is poisonous and potentially fatal if consumed in high enough quantities.

Cherry pits may also become stuck in a dog’s intestinal system and cause obstructions. Grapes, too, are highly toxic to dogs and can cause serious damage to kidneys, and so can avocados. But there is one fruit, and you might not even think of it as a fruit, that is positively good for our canine pals. US vet Merry Fitzgerald from Temple Hills, Maryland, spoke to Dog News about the “fruit” that here in the UK we tend to only see at Halloween….and then we often don’t actually eat it! 

But Merry said: “Pumpkin is actually great for dogs. Just to be clear, we are talking about plain pumpkin without all the ‘spice’ that can be added to it. Pumpkin has some serious health benefits for dogs, especially for their digestive tract. Adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet can soothe and regulate the stomach and intestines and provide relief from both diarrhoea and constipation.

“Pumpkin is rich in fibre and contains many important vitamins and minerals. Plain, canned pumpkin is the healthiest choice for your dog. It is readily available at grocery stores all year long. Both fresh and canned pumpkin are good sources of nutrients and fibre but canned pumpkin contains a higher concentration of fiber and nutrients. This is because fresh pumpkin has a higher water content than canned pumpkin.”

However canned pumpkin is available in some UK supermarkets like ASDA and can be bought on Amazon where you can also buy pumpkin powder especially for dogs.

But Merry warns: “Be careful not to buy the canned pumpkin with the added pie spices. These can be irritating to your dog’s stomach. Some canned pumpkin-pie mixes contain xylitol as a sweetener, which is toxic to dogs. If you can’t find plain canned pumpkin, pumpkin powder is made for pets and is a good alternative.”

Mery expplains that pumpkin can ease digestion in several ways. The dissolvable fibre content in pumpkin adds bulk to your dog’s stool by absorbing water. As the fibre is digested, fibre fermentation produces beneficial fatty acids that supply energy to cells, stimulates intestinal sodium and water absorption, and lowers the pH level of the large intestines.

Fibre also acts as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are different from probiotics. They stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Fibre does this by lowering the pH level and providing the necessary nutrients these bacteria require.

For some cases of chronic diarrhoea, your veterinarian may also recommend adding a probiotic. This is a supplement containing live beneficial bacteria to maintain healthy intestinal flora. Pumpkin acts as a prebiotic booster for these probiotics.

Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, which is crucial for brain and eye development. When combined with vitamin C, E and other antioxidants in pumpkin, dogs get excellent support for their immune system. 

Vitamin E, potassium and beta carotene are also present in pumpkin. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that keeps away free radicals that can trigger abnormal cell growth. It also keeps the internal organs healthy and is good for the heart muscle. Potassium is important to keep your dog’s muscles healthy. Beta carotenes do the same for your dog’s eyes and skin.

Pumpkins can help with weight control because it is high in fibre and low in calories.

If you are adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet to treat diarrhoea or constipation, Merry recommends starting with one to four tablespoons added to their regular meal. It is best to start with a smaller amount and gradually increase to larger amounts. This way you can make sure your dog does not have a negative reaction.

Be sure your dog drinks plenty of water to prevent dehydration when adding pumpkin or any other fiber-rich ingredients to their diet. Go by weight when deciding how much to add. Small dogs can have a teaspoon per day, while big dogs can handle a tablespoon or more.

Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin A, but too much vitamin A can be toxic to dogs. When in doubt, be cautious and add a little less.

Not all parts of the pumpkin are safe to feed to your dog. The pumpkin pulp, which is the stringy goop in the centre, should be avoided. The stems and the skin are hard for your dog to digest. Feeding these may cause stomach upset, which is usually what you are trying to relieve by feeding pumpkin.

And definitely don’t feed carved pumpkins, especially ones that have been sitting outside for a while, which can breed mould and bacteria. 

Merry adds: “Pumpkin seeds contain oils that are good for your dog’s urinary tract and may help with incontinence. The seeds are full of omega 3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.

“Feeding your dog raw pumpkin seeds can be dangerous, as these seeds spoil quickly. The seeds should be cleaned and roasted in the oven at 350F for about an hour to improve their taste and increase their shelf life.

Pumpkin has many good properties, but if you aren’t sure whether it will be safe for your dog to eat or if your dog is having digestive problems that pumpkin is not fixing, make an appointment with your vet.”