When we think of pumpkins, a picture of Halloween comes to mind. But as most of us know, pumpkins have much more value than just as Jack-o-Lanterns.
Pumpkin is used in a great many people recipes. And it’s very beneficial to your pet’s health as well. Fresh cooked pumpkin, canned pumpkin and crushed pumpkin seeds added to your pet’s diet can boost good health in a number of ways.
Pumpkin aids digestion, keeping the gastric juices flowing. It helps prevent dehydration since the flesh is about 90% water.
A teaspoonful or one or two tablespoons, depending on the size of your pet, added to food for a few days can solve constipation problems. Or if your pet is having a bout of diarrhea, the same treatment applies. Pumpkin works in either case.
Pumpkin reduces the amount of hairballs and helps your cat digest and then eliminate ingested fur.
Fiber in pumpkin keeps your pet feeling full, in turn keeping your pet at the proper weight or as an aid to weight loss.
Pumpkin is filled with important nutrients such as Vitamins C, A, B1, iron, folate, magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese, copper. It contains antioxidants which help skin and coat remain healthy.
Pumpkin seeds can also help eliminate internal parasites (worms). In addition, they have anti-inflammatory properties and may impede the formation of kidney stones.
The safest way to feed your pet pumpkin is either fresh cooked or canned. DO NOT USE the CANNED PUMPKIN for PIES as it contains other ingredients not suited for your pet. Check your pet shop for pumpkin made specifically for pets.
