You may love carving pumpkins this time of year, but did you know that pumpkin is actually a nutritious ingredient for your pet? 

There are various health benefits to adding pumpkin to your pet's diet, ranging from improved digestion to better hydration. Serving nutritious food is integral to good health for your pet. So, here are some of the most significant benefits pumpkin provides for dogs, cats, rabbits, and reptiles.

 Dogs

Pumpkin contains a plethora of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and E for your dog’s brain, eyes, skin, and immune system. The beta-carotene found in pumpkin converts to vitamin A, beneficial for healthy eyes.

Digestive Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs
Occasionally, dogs suffer from a mild case of diarrhea or constipation. That's
where pumpkin comes in. Pumpkin absorbs the excess water in your dog's system that stems from diarrhea. The fiber found in pumpkin will also help to loosen up stool when your pup is a bit backed up.

Integrating Pumpkin into Your Dog’s Diet
It shouldn't take much convincing for your dog to gobble up pumpkin added to meals or treats. You'll find that most love the taste alone or in combination with other foods.
To get pumpkin into their main meals, start with their kibble and a scoop of
canned pumpkin or a pumpkin-flavored stew pour-over. Or, if your dog is pickier, you can try slipping in pumpkin nutrition by giving him chicken and pumpkin flavored jerky treats.

Cats
Pumpkin provides many benefits for cats, just as it does for dogs. Vitamins A and C support a cat’s vision and immune system, while zinc improves skin and coat. Similar to their canine counterparts, pumpkin is an easy addition to meals for cats. And what cat wouldn't want a delicious dinner flavored with tuna and pumpkin?

Fiber-rich
Cat owners can cure their feline friend’s mild case of constipation or diarrhea courtesy of fiber-rich pumpkin. You’ll also find that fiber adds bulk to a cat’s diet. They'll feel more satisfied after their meal, making it easier to lose pounds or maintain a healthy weight.

Pumpkin Aids in Hairballs

 Pumpkin can also reduce hairballs in cats. So, you might see improvement with something like pumpkin-flavored chew treats if your feline friend suffers from hairballs.

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs + Other Small Animals

Rabbits also reap similar benefits from a pumpkin-boosted diet. Vitamin A promotes healthy eyesight and skin while maintaining bone growth and supporting reproductive functions. Pumpkin also protects rabbits from diseases and infections.

Raw Pumpkin

Mealtime is a bit different than with cats or dogs, as we recommend raw pumpkin for your rabbit’s diet. Cooked foods will result in digestive issues since a rabbit’s digestive system is designed for natural grasses and veggies. Just remember that raw pumpkin contains more carbohydrates and sugars than your rabbit needs. So, moderation is key when serving raw pumpkin to your cotton-tail friend.

Reptiles
Pumpkin can also help lizards as they benefit from the high water content for
proper hydration. Lizards and turtles also receive the same vision and immune system aid from vitamins A and C as the animals mentioned above. It is extremely important that you remove the pumpkin seeds before feeding pumpkin insides to your reptile. 

Adding Pumpkin to Your Pet's Diet

There are plenty of ways you can slip some pumpkin into your pet’s diet, including wet food, dry food, pour overs, and, of course, treats. Please take a look at our different pumpkin pet products to find the healthiest and best treats for your pet.