At RAWZ, we hesitate to quickly jump on or be swayed by trends in pet nutrition, but when we see a versatile, beneficial ingredient making news, we just have to highlight it! And although they’re more well-known for making jack-o-lanterns, filling pies, or spicing coffee drinks, with many benefits to a pet's health, the pumpkin is a true superfood for our four-legged companions!
The Benefits of Feeding Pumpkin
Nutrient Dense
Pumpkin contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that have been associated with a variety of potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, support for healthy metabolic function, and cardiovascular wellness.
Digestive Support
Perhaps the best-known benefit of pumpkin as a component of a pet’s diet is digestive support. Here are a few ways that pumpkin helps regulate and maintain a healthy digestive system in pets:
- Improves stool quality - The insoluble fiber in pumpkin pulls water into stool, helping to soften it and ease constipation
- Reduces diarrhea - By absorbing excess moisture in the GI tract, pumpkin’s soluble fiber can help manage diarrhea
- Aids in dietary changes - Pumpkin serves as a stabilizing, non-inflammatory component of the diet during food transitions
Weight Management
With a high nutrient value despite low calorie density, pumpkin delivers multiple benefits to assist a pet in achieving a healthy weight:
- Pumpkin can replace a small portion of an existing diet to reduce caloric intake
- It’s moisture-rich, which aids in hydration and promotes fullness
Things to Remember When Introducing Pumpkin
Introduction is Key - When introducing any new food to a pet, a slow, measured approach is always best. While allergies to pumpkin are rare, sensitivity to any novel ingredient can occur. A teaspoon is often a good start for small dogs and cats, with 1 to 2 tablespoons recommended for bigger dog breeds.
Keep it Simple - While plain canned pumpkin is great for a pet, stay away from pumpkin pie fillings or pumpkin spice flavoring to avoid sweeteners and/or spices that can negatively affect a pet’s digestion.
RAWZ Goes to the Pumpkin Patch
Recognizing the health-boosting value of pumpkin, RAWZ features this superfood in 7 wet recipes for dogs and 10 wet recipes for cats, plus our two new 10+ Essentials dry offerings for our feline friends! So whether it’s a fruit or a vegetable, the super pumpkin is a welcome component of RAWZ recipes. To power your pet with some pumpkin, locate your closest RAWZ retailer here and join the RAWZ family!
