Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin? Yes, Cooked and Peeled

What it gives your dog

Pumpkin has very few calories (about 20-25 kcal per 100 g cooked), lots of water, beta-carotene, potassium and fiber, mostly soluble. That fiber absorbs water: it can help firm up soft stools and, at the same time, ease things along when there is mild constipation. It also adds bulk to meals for dogs who need to lose weight without going hungry.

The skin is tough and raw seeds can be hard to digest. Avoid sweet preparations (pumpkin pie filling or spiced pumpkin with sugar) and decorative pumpkins or jack-o'-lanterns that have been sitting out for days, because they can grow mold.

How to serve it

Boiled, steamed or oven-roasted with no oil, until very tender
Peeled, with no seeds or tough strings
Mashed, mixed into their food
Canned, only if it is 100 % pumpkin puree, with no sugar or spices (not pie filling)
Frozen in portions so you always have some on hand

How much can they eat?

Small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb): 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 g) of puree a day; medium dog (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb): 2-4 tablespoons (30-60 g); large dog (over 25 kg / 55 lb): 60-100 g (about 1/4-1/3 cup). For soft stools, start at the low end of the range and watch for 2-3 days.

Risks

Too much fiber: gas or diarrhea
Raw skin and seeds: hard to digest
Sweet preparations with sugar or spices
Moldy pumpkin

Frequently asked questions

Is pumpkin good for dogs with diarrhea?

It can help with mild diarrhea: its soluble fiber absorbs water and firms up stools. Add one or two tablespoons of cooked puree to their food for a few days. It does not replace a diagnosis: if the diarrhea lasts more than 24-48 hours, has blood in it, comes with vomiting, your dog seems lethargic or is a puppy, see your vet before trying home remedies.

Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds?

A few, shelled, roasted without salt and chopped, are not dangerous and provide fat and zinc. But whole seeds in the shell or large amounts can cause stomach upset or even a blockage in small dogs, and bagged seeds are very salty. There is no solid evidence that they work as a dewormer: for that, use the parasite treatment your vet recommends.

Can dogs eat raw pumpkin?

In small pieces it is not toxic, but raw pumpkin is hard and much less digestible, and large cubes can be a choking hazard. Boiled or steamed, it is far more digestible and its fiber is put to better use. For treats, you can bake thin strips at a low temperature until they dry out: they turn into chips that most dogs love.