Every fall, pumpkin takes over. It’s in our coffee, our baked goods and sitting on just about every front porch in the neighborhood. But for dogs and cats, pumpkin is more than a seasonal obsession.
Plain pumpkin brings fiber, moisture and naturally occurring nutrients to the bowl. You could call it tummy health’s best friend, but pumpkin has plenty more going for it.
So, what does pumpkin actually do for dogs and cats? How much pumpkin can pets eat? And how can the same ingredient come up in conversations about both loose stool and constipation?
Consider this your Pumpkin 101.
What Are the Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs and Cats?
Pumpkin provides fiber, moisture, and nutrients that can support digestion and add variety to a dog or cat’s diet.
For such a simple ingredient, pumpkin brings quite a bit to the bowl:
- Fiber: Pumpkin is a source of dietary fiber, including soluble and insoluble fiber.
- Moisture: Pumpkin naturally contains water, giving pet parents another way to add hydration.
- Naturally occurring nutrients: Pumpkin provides vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
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Easy Addition to Mealtime: Plain pumpkin can be mixed into food or served as a topper.
Fun Fact: Pumpkin comes in more varieties than you might think! Want to geek out on gourds? Explore the different colors, varieties and benefits of pumpkin for dogs and cats.
How Does Pumpkin Support Pet Digestion?
Pumpkin can support healthy digestion, regularity and stool consistency in dogs and cats thanks largely to its fiber content.
You’ve probably heard pumpkin suggested when a pet is having a less-than-perfect bathroom day. Pumpkin contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, and each plays a slightly different role in keeping digestion moving normally.
Soluble fiber interacts with water in the digestive tract and helps support healthy stool consistency, while insoluble fiber helps support normal movement through the digestive system.
Pumpkin naturally contains water, too, adding some extra moisture to the bowl along with all that fiber.
If digestive support is what brought you here, Pumpkin Patch Up makes it easy to add pumpkin to the bowl. Our pumpkin purée supplement for dogs and cats comes in convenient pouches, so you can serve a small amount without opening an entire can.
Want to dig deeper? Read Pumpkin Patch Up! Weruva’s Premier Pumpkin Purée.
Can Pumpkin Help Dogs and Cats With Diarrhea or Constipation?
Pumpkin may be used to support dogs and cats experiencing occasional loose stool or constipation because its fiber can support stool consistency and normal movement through the digestive tract.
Wait...both? Yup.
It sounds contradictory, but the different types of fiber we just talked about can support digestion in different ways. With occasional loose stool, soluble fiber interacts with water and can help add bulk. When things aren't moving as regularly as they should, fiber can help support normal movement through the digestive tract.
Two very different bathroom problems, but both come back to supporting healthy stool consistency and regular digestion.
Pumpkin isn’t a cure-all though. Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, loss of appetite or sudden changes in bathroom habits can have many causes. If a problem is severe, keeps happening, or your pet seems unwell, talk with your veterinarian.
Want to meet a cat who knows a thing or two about pumpkin? Cappy is a pumpkin-loving cat who inspired his own Weruva Pumpkin Patch Up! Variety Pack after pumpkin became part of his daily routine.
Can Dogs and Cats Eat Pumpkin?
Yes. Dogs and cats can eat plain pumpkin in appropriate amounts. It can add fiber, moisture and naturally occurring nutrients to the diet while complementing their complete and balanced nutrition.
Dogs tend to get most of the attention when pumpkin comes up, but cats can get in on the fun too.
Just remember cats are obligate carnivores, so animal-based nutrition still needs to do the heavy lifting. Anyone who lives with a cat knows it's tough to predict what they’ll eat versus what they’ll stare at as if you’ve insulted them. Pumpkin occasionally makes the approved list.
Dogs may be a little easier to convince. Plain pumpkin can be mixed into their usual food, served as a topper, or used in recipes alongside other ingredients.
For more information, check out our guides to pumpkin for cats and pumpkin for dogs.
Is Fresh or Canned Pumpkin Safe for Dogs and Cats?
Plain cooked pumpkin and plain canned pumpkin can be appropriate for dogs and cats. Pumpkin pie filling, however, may contain added sugar, spices, and other ingredients that aren’t intended for pets.
With pumpkin everywhere in the fall, it’s worth remembering that not everything with pumpkin on the label belongs in your pet’s bowl.
If you’re grabbing canned pumpkin from the human-food aisle, check the ingredient list. Plain pumpkin should be the only star of the show.
Pumpkin pie filling is for pie, not pets!
Fresh pumpkin can work too when the flesh is cooked and served plain without butter, sugar, salt or seasonings. Skip the stem and tough outer rind.
And if you’d rather skip the label detective work and the half-used can hanging around the refrigerator, Pumpkin Patch Up can make serving it a whole lot easier.
How Much Pumpkin Should I Give My Dog or Cat?
There isn’t one amount of pumpkin that’s right for every dog or cat. How much you serve depends on your pet’s size, regular diet, and health.
Let's just say a Great Dane and an eight-pound cat aren’t exactly working with the same bowl.
When introducing pumpkin, or any new food, start with a small amount and gradually work it into your pet’s routine. More pumpkin isn’t necessarily more beneficial, and adding a lot of fiber all at once can create the exact digestive drama you were hoping to avoid.
Sometimes you only need a little pumpkin. Pumpkin Patch Up comes in convenient pouches that make it easy to serve a small amount without opening an entire can of pumpkin and wondering what to do with the rest.
Follow the feeding directions on the package, and if you’re adding pumpkin because of an ongoing digestive concern or your pet has specific dietary needs, talk with your veterinarian about what’s appropriate for them.
Is Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Better for Dogs and Cats?
Pumpkin and sweet potato both provide dietary fiber and naturally occurring nutrients, so neither is automatically better for every dog or cat. The best choice depends on your pet and their overall diet.
Pumpkin gets a lot of attention this time of year, but sweet potato deserves some time in the limelight too.
Both provide dietary fiber and naturally occurring nutrients, including beta-carotene. They aren’t nutritionally identical though. Sweet potato is generally more calorie and carbohydrate dense, while pumpkin contains a lot of water.
So, which should you choose?
There’s no need to declare a winner. Some pets may prefer one over the other, and both can have a place in an appropriate diet.
Team Pumpkin and Team Sweet Potato can get along just fine.
What’s the Best Way to Add Pumpkin to Your Pet’s Food?
Pumpkin can be mixed into regular food, served as a topper or as a treat. The easiest option is the one that fits your pet’s diet, routine and, perhaps most importantly, their opinions about dinner.
We offer a few different ways to put pumpkin, and its friend sweet potato, on the menu.
Keep It Simple: Squeeze It
Pumpkin Patch Up puts pumpkin into convenient pouches made for dogs and cats. Stick with Puréed Pumpkin or switch things up with Pumpkin with Ginger & Turmeric and Pumpkin with Coconut Oil & Flaxseeds.
No can opener. No mystery container of leftover pumpkin in the fridge. Squeeze, serve, done.
Pour It On
For dogs who prefer their pumpkin with a little more meaty persuasion, Dogs in the Kitchen Pantry Pours pair real chicken or beef bone broth with pumpkin or sweet potato in a savory gravy you can pour over wet or dry food.
Make It Part of the Meal
Pumpkin and sweet potato also show up across Weruva foods, including functional Meals ’n More recipes for dogs.
There isn’t one right way to serve pumpkin. Choose what works for your pet, their diet, and what actually gets them excited about the bowl.
Pumpkin Isn’t Just for Pumpkin Season
Pumpkin’s nutritional benefits aren’t seasonal. Dogs and cats can enjoy pumpkin throughout the year, even if humans tend to give it most of our attention every fall.
We fully support putting pumpkins on the porch and embracing everything fall has to offer. Your pet, however, has no idea pumpkin is supposed to disappear when the holiday decorations come out.
From Pumpkin Patch Up to pumpkin and sweet potato recipes across Weruva, there are plenty of ways to keep these ingredients on the menu year-round.
So enjoy pumpkin season. Just save the spice for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pumpkin good for dogs?
Plain pumpkin can be a nutritious addition to a dog’s diet in appropriate amounts. It provides dietary fiber, moisture and naturally occurring nutrients and can help support healthy digestion.
Is pumpkin good for cats?
Pumpkin can provide cats with additional fiber and moisture when fed in appropriate amounts. It should complement rather than replace the complete and balanced, animal-based nutrition cats require.
Can dogs eat canned pumpkin?
Plain canned pumpkin can be appropriate for dogs. Check the ingredient list and avoid pumpkin pie filling or products containing added sugar, spices or other unnecessary ingredients.
Can cats eat canned pumpkin?
Cats can eat plain canned pumpkin in appropriate amounts. Choose plain pumpkin rather than sweetened or spiced pumpkin pie filling.
Can dogs and cats eat pumpkin every day?
Pumpkin can be worked into a pet’s regular diet in appropriate amounts, but more isn’t necessarily better. Added foods shouldn’t interfere with the complete and balanced nutrition your pet needs.
What is the easiest way to give pumpkin to a dog or cat?
Pumpkin can be mixed into regular food or served as a topper. Weruva Pumpkin Patch Up offers pumpkin in convenient pouches, while other Weruva foods and toppers incorporate pumpkin or sweet potato directly into their recipes.
