Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin?

Yes. Plain cooked or canned pumpkin is safe for dogs, low in calories and high in fiber, and it is one of the few kitchen foods vets regularly suggest for loose stools. The one mix-up to avoid is pumpkin pie filling, which looks the same in the can but is sweetened and spiced.

Canned Pumpkin Or Pie Filling?

Read the front of the can before you open it. The two sit next to each other on the shelf.

Canned pure pumpkin is about 34 calories and 3g of fiber per 100g. Once opened, it keeps about a week in the fridge. Many owners freeze the rest in ice cube trays, one tablespoon per cube.

If the pumpkin in your house this month comes as a pumpkin spice latte, keep it out of reach: besides the spice blend, it is built on espresso, and caffeine is toxic to dogs. See our guide to coffee and tea for why.

Why Pumpkin Helps With Stools

Pumpkin is rich in soluble fiber, which soaks up water in the gut and forms a gel. That is why it can help in both directions: it firms up loose stools by holding on to extra water, and it softens dry, hard stools in a mildly constipated dog. Soluble fiber also feeds the helpful bacteria in the large intestine.

The evidence for pumpkin specifically is more practical experience than clinical trials, but the fiber effect behind it is well understood, and it is a gentle thing to try for mild, short-lived stool changes. Plain white rice with boiled chicken is the other standby, and the two are often used together.

How Much Pumpkin

Start low and build up over a few days, because a sudden jump in fiber can cause gas or loose stools of its own. A common starting point is about one teaspoon per 10 lb of body weight per day, mixed into food:

Give your dog plenty of fresh water while it is getting extra fiber. If there is no improvement within a day or two, stop and talk to your vet rather than adding more.

When Pumpkin Is Not Enough

Pumpkin is for mild, short-lived tummy trouble in an otherwise bright dog. Call your vet instead of reaching for the can if:

• Diarrhea lasts more than a day or two, or keeps coming back
• There is blood in the stool, or the stool is black and tarry
• Your dog is vomiting, will not eat or drink, or seems weak or flat
• Your dog is straining and producing nothing, which can be a blockage rather than constipation
• It is a young puppy, an elderly dog, or a dog with other health problems

Our guide to easing a dog’s upset stomach covers home care and the warning signs in more detail.

Pumpkin For Weight Loss

Because it is low in calories and filling, some owners swap a little of the kibble for pumpkin to help a hungry dog on a diet feel full. It can work, with two cautions: do it with your vet’s plan rather than on your own, and swap rather than add, since the point is fewer calories, not more. Green beans are used the same way.

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?

In small amounts, yes, if they are plain, roasted or dried, unsalted and shelled or ground. They bring fat, protein and minerals. Skip salted or seasoned seeds, and do not feed a handful of whole seeds in the shell, which are hard to digest.

You may read that pumpkin seeds get rid of worms. They do contain a compound, cucurbitacin, that has been studied against parasites, but there is no reliable evidence that feeding seeds clears worms in dogs. Use a dewormer from your vet. You can see what pumpkin seeds add when they appear in a dog food on their ingredient page.

Pumpkin In Dog Food

Pumpkin is a popular ingredient in commercial foods and treats, usually listed as pumpkin or dried pumpkin. It is there for fiber, and on a label it is usually far enough down the list that it is a small part of the recipe. If your dog already eats a food with pumpkin, a spoonful on top for an upset stomach is still fine.

Sweet potato is the other orange vegetable dogs do well with, cooked and plain. For more safe vegetables, see carrots and plain cooked potatoes, and for any other food, check the food checker.