Pumpkin…Why it’s one of my favorite treat ingredients…

Of the 30-some dog treat options I make, what ingredient do I use the most??? That’s an easy one: PUMPKIN!!!

Let me ask you this: do you know how great pumpkin is for your dog??? If not, read on & I’ll share what I know about this wonderful ingredient & why you should be using more of it.

Pumpkin can benefit dogs in a number of ways. (We’re talking about canned pumpkin puree, NOT the pie filling!)

The #1 reason is it’s a great digestive aid:

It slows digestion. Have a dog who is ALWAYS hungry? Add some pumpkin puree in with his or her food! It’s great for “bulking up” your pet’s food & will make your dog (or cat! Yes, it’s safe for them too!) feel fuller longer due to all the fiber it contains!
It’s low in calories. For this reason, it can help aid in weight loss too! (Just substitute 1/4 a cup of pumpkin puree for your dog’s normal dog food to cut down on some calories!)
As it’s full of fiber, it can help with constipation too!

Pumpkin can boost your dog’s immune system:

It contains Vitamin C. As we all know, Vitamin C helps boost our immune system. Well, it does the same for our dogs too!
Dogs with joint problems need more Vitamin C than what they normally produce. Since pumpkin contains Vitamin C, it’s a good source of a little extra!

It improves their skin & coat too:

The zinc found in pumpkin improves their skin & coat!

When you’re roasting the seeds, save some for Spike too: (just don’t add salt to his!)

Pumpkin seeds are a great source of fiber, carbohydrates, and protein
They can be a natural de-worming agent! The seeds contain cucurbitin which is an amino acid found in the seeds that can paralyze a parasite
Oils found in the seeds are believed to support urinary health, so dogs with urinary incontinence could benefit from the addition of pumpkin added to their diet

***For all of you who have cats, the fiber in pumpkin can help with furballs too! Adding about a teaspoon a day into your cat’s food will help keep those furballs off your carpet & right into their litter! TMI, right?!?! Well, if it does just that, it’s worth sharing!

As you can see, pumpkin is a wonderful ingredient! You can see why I use it so much! If you want more tips on healthy ingredients for your pets, stay tuned!

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a vet, I repeat, I am NOT a vet. These are some facts I’ve found based on research I’ve done when looking for ingredients to use with added health benefits. This should not be used as a replacement to medications recommended by your veterinarian!