Dogs can get tired of the same old snack. When it is fed to them every day, it is the same taste over and over. Dogs can lose interest in those snacks, making it harder to reward them for good behavior, etc.
One way to keep your dog interested in snack time is to feed him or her pumpkin. All you have to do is remove the seeds, cut the pumpkin into cubes and bake it for 45 minutes. The sweet taste of pumpkin should delight your pet.
One other tip, don’t throw the seeds away. They contain good nutrition and can be another healthy treat to supplement your dog’s daily meals.
How to Cook Chicken for Dogs? Click here to learn more.
Can I Give My Dog Pumpkin?
Yes, you can feed pumpkins to your pet. It is a very non-toxic delicious treat to feed him or her. The key will be in how you serve it to your dog. You have a variety of ways to prepare the pumpkin so that it tastes great every time you serve it.
Also, the seeds of the pumpkin are non-toxic. They are also loaded with needed nutrition your pet needs. Just roast those seeds and grind them up. After that, spread those ground seeds over your dog’s food for a nice taste twist to their meal.
Plus, you can feed your dog both cooked and raw pumpkin. But leave the skin off the treat. That is too hard for your dog to chew and digest. About the only time you should not feed pumpkins to your pet is when they are suffering from kidney disease or diabetes.
But check with your vet to see what they say about these illnesses and if pumpkin is okay to feed your dog at this time.
How to Cook Rice for Dogs? Click here to find out.
How Much Pumpkin Can I Give My Dog?
When you are first introducing pumpkin to your dog, you should start with low amounts. Like any new food, a dog’s stomach needs to adjust to the new food item.
Start with about 1 teaspoon and work your way up. That will give your dog’s stomach the time it needs to adjust to this new treat. Once your dog is used to the new food, then give him or her about 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight.
The amount may vary depending on your dog’s breed, weight, and health condition. If your dog is sick, talk to your vet first before adding this vegetable to your dog’s diet.
Don’t be surprised if your dog’s feces turns orange after feeding him or her a lot of pumpkins.
How To Cook Pumpkin For Your Dog?
There are several ways to cook this vegetable. If you do not want to cook it, you can serve the pumpkin raw. Just remove the seeds and the skin, so your dog gets nothing but pumpkin.
Also, you can serve your pet canned pumpkin. Just be careful it is not the pie filling variety as that may be too high in sugar for your dog to handle. Here are some cooking methods you can try:
1. Baking– Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees F. Then cut the skin off the pumpkin, remove the seeds, and then cut the pumpkin into smaller squares. Spread the pieces out over a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes. Let cool and serve.
2. Steaming– Remove the skin and the seeds, then cut the pumpkin into smaller pieces. Place those pieces into a steamer and let them steam for about 50 minutes. After steaming, you can puree and freeze the pumpkin.
3. Boiling– The initial process is the same here as it is with the first two options. Remove the skin and seeds and cut them into smaller pieces. Then place those pumpkin pieces into boiling water.
After about 25 minutes, the pumpkin should be cooked and ready to be pureed. Serve as desired to your pet. To test the boiled pumpkin to see if it is ready, use a toothpick or fork to see if it is nice and tender or not.
How to Cook Steak for Dogs? Click here to find out.
What Mistakes To Avoid When Cooking Pumpkin
1. Do not leave the skin on the meat of the vegetable
2. Do not throw away the seeds but cook them up at a later time. These seeds contain Omega-3 fatty acids and can help dislodge kidney stones and de-worm your pet
3. Do not serve too much at one time. Everything is in moderation.
Some Final Words
Pumpkin is a very delicious treat to serve your pet. Not only is it a natural way for them to get their nutrition, but it also tastes great as well. Plus, it does not take that much time to prepare or cook this tasty vegetable.
This may be a better option than the store-bought treats as long as you serve it in moderation.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.