All dog owners really want the very best for their dogs and it can sometimes be confusing to know whether you’re doing the right thing, especially when it comes to diet and treats. If you’re wondering whether dogs can eat pumpkin seeds then we are going to look into that in more depth, as well as exploring alternatives for your dog or puppy.
When you first bring a puppy home, straight away you want to do right by them; keep them safe and well, and begin training. But, there can be so many uncertainties, especially for first-time dog owners. You may want to know how much sleep they need, how and when to worm them, and, of course, how to potty train. There are also so many questions you could have about diet.
For a senior dog, much consideration is needed surrounding their care and wellbeing. A senior dog will benefit from senior dog supplements created to keep the aging process at bay and make the latter stages of life as comfortable as possible. But, could pumpkin seeds help them too?
Today the canine dietary experts, here at Canine Weekly, are going to answer all the questions you may have about whether dogs can eat pumpkin seeds and the benefits for your puppies, as well as some alternatives you could consider instead.
Also Read: What is the Best Human Food to Feed to Your Dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds? Find Out All You Need to Know.
Pumpkins and pumpkin seeds are healthy for both humans and dogs – and safe. Dogs can eat pumpkins and pumpkin seeds and reap the nutritional benefits, which can even include a lower risk of certain cancers.
Pumpkin seeds must be unsalted, unseasoned, and raw. Foods with a pumpkin content, such as pumpkin pie filling, will have far more bad food groups than good and could be quite harmful to a dog’s health. You can purchase raw pumpkin seeds online or in a grocery store that can safely be given to a dog.
The majority of dogs will like the taste of pumpkin seeds and be happy to consume it within their normal food or as a healthy treat. If you find that your dog doesn’t take to pumpkin seeds, you could always grind down the seeds and add them to your dog’s regular food.
6 Incredible Health Benefits for Dogs From Eating Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds can have a lot of health benefits for dogs, some you may already know but others may be more surprising.
The health benefits of pumpkin and pumpkin seeds for dogs include:
1. Pumpkin Seeds Are a Natural Wormer
Pumpkin seeds contain amino acid, Cucurbitin, which disables and eradicates worms and parasites from a dog’s digestive tract. This means that pumpkin seeds are a natural remedy for worms and parasites.
If you choose to use pumpkin seeds as a preventative measure, rather than having faith in natural remedies as cures, we recommend Durvet triple wormer for small dogs and puppies. For medium and large breeds the chewable Sentry wormer is highly rated online.
2. Pumpkin Supports Digestive Health
Conduct an online search for ‘Pumpkin Seeds for dogs’ and you’ll be overloaded with supplements, medicines, and treats with the major selling point being around digestive health. Pumpkin can relieve diarrhea as it absorbs excess moisture and feeds beneficial gut bacteria.
Products like Weruva pumpkin supplement and Glandex pumpkin supplement (which is veterinarian recommended) help to firm stools and reduce diarrhea in dogs too.
3. Pumpkin Seeds Can also Help With Constipation
This may seem contradictory but bear with us. Pumpkin has a high fiber and high water content so it can help to keep digestion moving more smoothly. NaturVet contains pumpkin seeds to support a dog’s normal bowel function.
You can help to prevent bowel problems, such as constipation or diarrhea, by giving your dog a couple of teaspoons of fresh pumpkin or the equivalent of pumpkin seeds.
4. Pumpkin is Filling
If you have an overweight dog, a breed prone to carrying excess weight like the labrador or a mastiff, or if you are concerned about future obesity problems with your pooch then pumpkin can help here too.
Pumpkin seeds have lots of fiber which will help a dog to feel fuller for longer so they are a very good way to bulk up a meal without adding lots of calories. A weight control dog food could further support an obesity issue.
5. Pumpkin Supports Urinary Health
Pumpkin seeds contain oils that can support a dog’s urinary health. Only small doses are needed for things such as urinary incontinence to improve.
Urinary incontinence is more likely to occur in senior dogs, who would benefit more from a senior dog food to help. But, it could also be a problem for female dogs who have had litters, unspayed females, and dogs with high anxiety.
6. Pumpin is High in Vitamins and Antioxidants
Pumpkin seeds are often noted for their rich and diverse antioxidant levels. Antioxidants can bring many health benefits including optimized eye health and a slow down of the body’s aging process.
Pumpkin is also high in several other vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, and Magnesium. These vitamins in particular can help contribute to healthy skin and coat, improved nervous system, and be beneficial for dogs with joint and mobility problems.
How to Give Your Dog Pumpkin Seeds
There are many dog treats and supplements that contain pumpkin and pumpkin seeds, which you can easily give to your dog. You can also purchase natural pumpkin seeds to add to your dog’s food daily for them to reap the health benefits – explained above.
If your dog is ignoring the seeds in their dish, you can ground them or try for a liquid form.
Alternatives to Pumpkin Seeds
With growing awareness of the benefits of seeds for our canine friend, here are 5 pumpkin seed alternative that is safe and good for your dog:
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are packed with protein, calcium, and Omega 3 making them a power-packed addition to your dog’s meal. You can also find many dog supplements that contain chia seeds to promote head to tail health.
Chia seeds are often promoted as a superfood, but they are rich in fatty acids so should be fed in moderation. To reap the benefits of chia seeds, feed a quarter of a teaspoon of seeds for every 10lbs of the dog’s weight.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseed is another great source of Omega 3 essential fatty acid and also high in fiber. Dog treats that constrain flaxseed include: Wag chicken and flaxseed tender strips which you can give your dog as a well-done token for good behavior, or flaxseed can also come in liquid form that you can add to a dogs meal for them to reap the health benefits.
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds and Hemp seed oil are highly digestible by dogs. They will promote healthier, shinier coats and more nourished skin as well as being vital for immune-building assistance.
Sunflower Seeds
Natural sunflower seeds are great for a dog’s health as they are an excellent source of iron, copper, and Vitamin E. Sunflower seeds should be fed in moderation – be peeled and have no added salt. Natural sunflower seeds are great for a dog’s skin and coat, overall body health and can even help to relieve anxiety and depression in canines.
Sesame Seeds
Although they’re tiny in size, their calcium and protein content is extremely large. Sprinkle sesame seeds over your dog’s meal to up their daily vitamin intake. Sesame seeds have a high fiber content so can help a dog to stay regular and ease constipation.
Because of the calcium properties in sesame seeds, they are great for creating strong bones in puppies and the copper within them is a natural reliever for joint pain in more senior hounds.
Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds? The Verdict
We have explored the benefits of pumpkin seeds for dogs and learned that not only they can eat them but also that they should be eating them. From puppyhood to the later stages in life, pumpkin seeds offer great health benefits to dogs of all ages.
Adding pumpkin seeds to a dog’s diet can promote lots of health benefits, inside and out. Pumpkin seeds are low in cost, convenient to feed, and easily accessible online.
If your dog is eating complete and balanced dog food, pumpkin seeds aren’t essential but they could still enrich their daily diet. They could also be used as a preventative or worming treatment or adding to your homemade dog food as an additional source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Pumpkin seeds are found in the majority of dog supplements that promote or support healthy bowel movements. They’re also added to many other dog supplements that are created for the general, overall health of a dog.
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.