Autumn has one distinction among other time periods because it is rich in certain vegetables. You will probably all notice that in the autumn we can find a large orange vegetable near each farmstead – pumpkin. Have you ever wondered if you can give your Australian Shepherd a pumpkin? In this article we will talk about pumpkins for dogs and what benefits they may have.
Can I Give My Australian Shepherd a Pumpkin?
So, autumn time is pumpkin time. But can your Australian Shepherd eat pumpkins? Yes! Pumpkin is very healthy for your dog, and rich in vitamins and minerals that your Aussie can benefit from. Pumpkins are rich in fiber and contain essential vitamins, such as A, C and E. as well as the minerals magnesium and potassium, iron and zinc. Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil is also beneficial. It can help dogs with prostate and urinary tract diseases or even worms.
How Pumpkin Can Benefit My Australian Shepherd?
Pumpkins provide a lot of healthy vitamins and minerals. Contains high levels of potassium and beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the dog’s body and is important for vision and mucous skin.
Vitamin C in pumpkin provides natural cell protection, supports wound healing and improves iron absorption. In addition to the vitamins mentioned earlier, pumpkin provides dogs with a lot of fiber. Dietary fiber is important for a dog’s digestion, promotes a feeling of satiety and supports the work of the digestive tract.
Abbreviation of the benefits of pumpkin for dogs:
- Support the immune system
- Pumpkins protect against infections of the bladder tract
- Help males with prostate diseases
- Improve insulin regulation
- Can help overweight dogs
- Good for dog constipation
- Pumpkins stimulate digestion and metabolism
- Pumpkins are a very healthy vegetable that contains a lot of nutrients and fiber. Among other things, vitamins A, C and E, as well as magnesium, potassium and zinc
- They are perfect to use as a treat during trainings
How Much Pumpkin Can I Give My Australian Shepherd?
It is best to always start with smaller amounts when we start giving some new food to our dogs. according www.akc.org, if your dog has problems with diarrhea, you can add between 1 and 4 tablespoons of pumpkin to your Australian Shepherd‘s meal. However, always good idea to consult a veterinarian as he will know your dog better and will choose the most suitable quantity. If the pumpkin is given to the dog raw and uncooked, it must be crushed. This will make it easier for the dog to digest. Pumpkin is an ideal ingredient for dog biscuits. Small pumpkin cubes that have been lightly steamed are suitable as a healthy snack.
Can Pumpkin Help With Dog Diarrhea?
If your Australian Shepherd is having trouble with diarrhea or constipation, a pumpkin can help in this situation. Pumpkins are rich in fiber, so they can stimulate digestion. Fiber acts as a prebiotic. Prebiotics promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and reduce the growth of harmful bacteria.
This is why veterinarians often recommend feeding dogs an easily digestible diet that is rich in prebiotics (fiber) if the dog has digestive problems. Of course, the cause of diarrhea should always be clarified, especially if it has been going on for a long time. So it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.
Can Pumpkin Cause Problems in Dogs?
Pumpkins, zucchini and cucumbers belong to a family of pumpkins called Cucurbitaceae. These vegetables may contain toxic cucurbitacins. These are bitter substances that are usually found in wild and ornamental pumpkins.
Therefore, you should be especially careful with home-grown vegetables. If you grow zucchini and pumpkin yourself, new seeds should be used every year. If you use your pumpkin seeds for further cultivation next year, the original features may reappear and the vegetables may again contain bitter substances.
Note: the bitter substances cannot be killed off by cooking either.
Buy the pumpkins in the supermarket or in the organic market. The commercially available pumpkins do not have any dangerous bitter substances (cucurbitacins). For this reason, they are harmless for dogs.
Decorative Pumpkins Are Poisonous for Dogs
Decorative pumpkins, which are very popular as autumn decorations, are poisonous for dogs. They are unfit for consumption and highly toxic for dogs. If you want to decorate your yard during halloween, make sure you place the decorative pumpkins out of the reach of your Australian Shepherd. Otherwise your curious Aussie might decide to try the colorful decorative vegetables.
Symptoms of Pumpkin Poisoning in Dogs
Consumption of toxic bitter substances found in wild and ornamental pumpkins in dogs may result in gastrointestinal symptoms. This includes diarrhea, excessive salivation, constant farting, vomit or apathy. If your dog shows any of these symptoms after eating a pumpkin, take him to the vet as soon as possible.
Conclusion
It is best to try a small piece of pumpkin for yourself if you want to feed it to your Australian Shepherd. If pumpkin tastes even slightly bitter, you should immediately throw the pumpkin into organic waste. Decorative pumpkins, which always contain cucurbitacins, should be kept out of the reach of your Aussie. if your dog has eaten a decorative pumpkin, contact your veterinarian immediately.