Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo) are often thrown out when people clean pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns this time of year. The practice is a huge waste of an item that has proven to be a fantastic source of nutrients and healing properties. Your entire family can benefit from eating fresh (unsalted) pumpkin seeds, including your pets in moderation. Positive results have been reported in dogs, cats, horses, some bird species and chickens, fish, and small animals like rabbits and gerbils.
We first discovered the benefits of pumpkin seeds while formulating our Bottom Bites fish food. Fish often have internal parasites (worms) so we began by exploring the natural anti-parasite properties of pumpkin seeds. We soon discovered that these wonderful seeds offer a full range of benefits, from nutritional to healing. Bottom Bites have contained organic, unrefined pumpkin seed oil ever since. It's regularly shared with other pets and humans in our home as well.
Pumpkin Seed Powder is Nutritious
Pumpkin seed powder is loaded with essential nutrients that are vital for your pet's health. Here's a closer look at some of the key nutrients it offers:
| Nutrient | Amount per 100g | Function/Benefit |
| Protein | ≥ 50g | Supports muscle growth and repair |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7g | Aids digestion and promotes regularity |
| Healthy Fats | 15-20g | Provides essential fatty acids for overall health |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | Varied | Supports heart and brain health |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | Varied | Promotes healthy skin and coat |
| Vitamins | ||
| -Vitamin A | Varies | Supports vision and immune function |
| -Vitamin C | Varies | Boosts immune health and acts as an antioxidant |
| -Vitamin E | Varies | Protects cells from oxidative damage |
| -Vitamin K | Varies | Important for blood clotting and bone health |
| Minerals | ||
| -Magnesium | 500mg | Supports muscle and nerve function, bone health |
| -Zinc | 7mg | Aids immune function and skin health |
| -Iron | 5mg | Essential for oxygen transport in the blood |
| -Copper | 1.5mg | Supports cardiovascular health and iron metabolism |
| -Manganese | 1.5mg | Important for bone formation and antioxidant defense |
9 health benefits of pumpkin for dogs
What makes pumpkin so amazing for dogs? People enjoy pumpkin seeds all the time, but are pumpkin seeds good for dogs and cats?
Whether you're exploring the benefits of pumpkin seed oil for dogs or just wondering about the nutritional value of pumpkin in their diet, we've got you covered. This high-fiber, gut-healthy ingredient has no shortage of benefits for your furry friend!
1. Anti-inflammatory
Ground pumpkin seeds, when given to dogs and cats, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits for anal gland disease and intestinal health. That means pumpkin seeds can help with irritation, inflammation, and pain in the anal glands, and further decrease chronic anal gland disease. This means fewer trips to have those glands expressed and less pain and aggravation for everyone.
2. Helps with allergies
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with magnesium, which can help to relax respiratory muscles and open up airways. Supplementing with Glandex may help with environmental allergies in our pets!
3. Rich in healthy oils
Oils found in the pumpkin seed are believed to support urinary health, so dogs and cats with a urinary disease may also benefit from this supplement.
4. Packed with omega fatty acids
Omega fatty acids provide a variety of benefits to our pets' diets, and giving pumpkin seed to dogs and cats supplies these fatty acids in large quantities. Omega fatty acids are important for healthy skin, joint function, heart health, and brain chemistry. Adding a plant-based omega fatty acid source (like the pumpkin seed fiber in Glandex) can help maintain the health of your pet by providing those benefits.
5. Nutrient-dense
Pumpkin is low in calories and chock-full of beneficial compounds. According to the USDA Nutritional Database, just one cup of cooked pumpkin has:
- 14100 IU of Vitamin A
- 49 Calories
- 5.1g of Sugar
- 564mg of Potassium
- 2.7g of Fiber
Pumpkin also contains high amounts of antioxidants and minerals like Vitamin C, Iron, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Zinc, and Folate.
6. Promotes healthy eyes
Similar to humans, Vitamin A is crucial for a dog's eye health. Ever wonder what gives pumpkins their orange color? That's the beta-carotene, a precursor for Vitamin A that works to prevent the development of night blindness and other forms of eye degeneration in dogs.
7. Boosts immune health
As we all know, vitamin C is essential for immune health. In conjunction with vitamin A, vitamin E, and other antioxidants found in pumpkin, it may help to prevent certain cancers from developing. Antioxidants help destroy cell-damaging free radicals, or "oxidants" in your pet's system.
While oxidants are a natural part of everyone's immune system, too many oxidants can contribute to cancers and damage the body. By including new sources of antioxidants–such as those found in pumpkin–you can give your pet's immune system a beneficial boost!
8. Moisturizes skin and coat
Vitamin A and zinc work wonders when it comes to promoting the health of your dog's skin and coat. The high water content found in pumpkins can also benefit your pet's coat, as it also assists in hydrating the skin and by extension, their fur.
9. Can help pets lose excess weight
The high water and fiber content in pumpkins makes this fruit a powerful tool for pet weight loss. Adding pumpkin seed fiber to your pet's diet can help them feel fuller and, by extension, promote weight loss. To help your dog lose weight, try replacing a small amount of their regular food with canned pumpkin.
In addition to these amazing benefits for your pet's health, pumpkin also has a multitude of benefits to support the digestive tract.
Benefits of pumpkin seeds for dogs & cats
When talking about the benefits of pumpkin for dogs, special praise should be given to pumpkin seeds, which are great for supporting your pet's digestive tract! In your dog or cat's diet, pumpkin seeds are:
High in fiber
Pumpkins–and more specifically, pumpkin seeds–are packed full of naturally sourced fiber. Using food or supplements with pumpkin seed fiber is a great way to make sure that your dog or cat is getting enough protein, carbohydrates, and fiber.
Pumpkin is a soluble fiber that slows gut activity, helps absorb water if mild diarrhea is a problem, and can also help resolve mild constipation. By bulking up the stool, pumpkin seed fiber also provides relief for anal gland irritation and disease by supporting normal anal gland expression before they become impacted or infected (helping you avoid repeated trips to the vet).
In cats, this added soluble fiber may also help with hairball problems, as the added pumpkin seed fiber can help pass hair through the gastrointestinal tract.
Anti-inflammatory
Ground pumpkin seeds, when given to dogs and cats, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits for anal gland disease and intestinal health, which can help with irritation, inflammation, and pain in the anal glands, and can further decrease chronic anal gland disease. This means fewer trips to have those glands expressed and less pain and aggravation for everyone.
Parasite defense
Intestinal parasites can add to any intestinal or anal gland disease and make the situation more complicated. Pumpkin seed fiber given to dogs and cats contain something called Cucurbitin, which is an amino acid that can act as a natural deworming agent. While your dog or cat will likely need other regular deworming medications as directed by your veterinarian, this supplement can help to keep your pet parasite free and decrease intestinal inflammation.
Great for the gut
Adding pumpkin to your pet's diet provides fiber, which will allow your dog to pass stool easily without strain on the intestines. Due to the fiber in pumpkin, it is a sufficient at-home remedy for constipation or loose stool.
How to feed pumpkin to your dog
Can dogs eat pumpkin on a daily basis for gut function and other health benefits? Pumpkin is one of the most versatile dietary ingredients for pets! From treats to pure canned pumpkin, there's an endless variety of pumpkin-based products for pets. Here are a few tips for safely feeding pumpkin to your dog:
- Buy vet-recommended dog supplements made with pumpkin and other natural ingredients, and feed the amount recommended for your dog's weight.
- Avoid buying canned pumpkin pie filling–these contain sugars and other additives that are harmful to dogs.
- Your dog can consume pumpkin seeds that are raw or dry roasted.
- Avoid salting or adding cooking oils when preparing pumpkin seeds for dogs, as certain additives can cause stomach upset or increase risk of dehydration.
- Roast raw pumpkin seeds (with no oil or salt) on a baking sheet (with parchment paper to prevent sticking) at 350F° for approximately 10-15 minutes.
How much pumpkin should you feed your dog?
Wondering how much pumpkin to give a dog? When it comes to pureed pumpkin (canned or cooked), 1 tsp per 10 pounds of your pet's weight is recommended. If your dog has a health condition, talk to your vet before feeding pumpkin to your dog.
Are pumpkin seeds good for dogs? The answer is yes, but pumpkin seeds are high in fat and should be given more sparingly. If you're interested in feeding pumpkin seeds to your dog, the daily recommended amount is one ground pumpkin seed per 10 pounds of body weight.
For puppies and very small or underweight dogs, only feed pumpkin in small amounts as a treat.
Easy homemade pumpkin seed recipes for pets
Who doesn't love pumpkin DIY? Try one of these homemade recipes for your favorite furry friend––we've got recipes for both dogs and cats!
Pawsome Pumpkin Seed Dog "Bones"
An easy way to boost your dog's fiber intake while delivering a nutritious treat is with a homemade pumpkin dog treat! These treats are high in both soluble and insoluble fibers, beta-carotene, antioxidants, protein, and healthy fat.
What you'll need:
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (fresh or store-bought)
- 2 small apricots (or 2 medium shredded carrots as an alternative)
- Plain unsweetened applesauce
- Smooth peanut butter (no additives, sweeteners, or salt)
- 1 large brown egg
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Scatter pumpkin seeds onto a baking sheet, then bake for 1 hour or until golden brown. Leave your oven on–you'll use it again in a few minutes!
- Pulse the roasted pumpkin seeds in a food processor; set aside 1 cup pumpkin seed powder.
- Make the apricot puree: peel, pit, and pulse apricot flesh in a food processor. Set aside ¼ cup pureed apricot.
- Combine wet ingredients in a bowl (apricot puree, 1 egg, 3 tbsp peanut butter, and ¼ cup applesauce).
- In a separate bowl, use a fork to combine dry ingredients (pumpkin seed powder and 1 cup whole wheat flour).
- Beat together wet and dry ingredients until a semi-wet dough forms. (If it's too wet and sticks to a spoon, add more flour and pumpkin seed powder in equal parts.)
- Knead the dough and use a rolling pin to spread it across a floured cutting board or clean countertop. It should be about ¼ to ½ inches thick.
- Use a dog bone cookie cutter to remove each biscuit, placing them 1 inch apart on a backing sheet. Line the sheet with a non-stick silicone mat or parchment paper for easier removal!
Bake for 15-25 minutes, or until the edges begin to firm up.
Let your pumpkin seed dog biscuits cool completely before giving them to your furry friend! Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
While your dog might want to eat lots of these biscuits, consider these recommended portions of pumpkin per serving: ½ to 1 tsp for small dogs, or 1 ½ tsp to 2 tsp for medium-large dogs.
Tips to Add Pumpkin to Your Pet's Diet
If you're ready to include pumpkin into your pet's diet this Halloween season, here are a few simple ways to do it:
- One of the easiest methods is to choose a high-quality cat or dog food that already includes pumpkin as an ingredient. Pumpkin is often found in natural pet foods designed to support digestion, especially for pets with sensitive stomachs.
- You can also mix a small amount of pure, unsweetened pumpkin or pumpkin puree directly into their regular food. While some picky eaters may avoid chunks of pumpkin, blending it into their wet or dry food will make it less noticeable.
Conclusion
Incorporating pumpkin seed powder into your pet's diet can yield numerous health benefits, from boosting their immune system to promoting digestive health. As a manufacturer of high-quality pumpkin seed powder, we take pride in offering a product that not only enhances your pet's nutrition but also supports their overall well-being.
