THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PUMPKINS AND DOGS

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1 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PUMPKINS AND DOGS Improve Your Senior Dog s Overall Health Naturally And Deliciously! By: Shelley West Canine Advocate

2 The amazing benef its of pumpkin for senior dogs! Pumpkin is delicious, nutritious, and easy to come by. Your dog can savour a pumpkin treat while improving his/her overall health. 1. PUMPKIN IS RICH IN NUTRIENTS Pumpkin is low in calories, but rich in so many essential vitamins and minerals. Pumpkin, contains a high concentration of vitamin A (beta-carotene). It also contains a lot of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, improves muscle health, and assists in metabolism. It also contains smaller amounts of a variety of healthy nutrients, including Vitamin C, Iron, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Folate. 2. PUMPKIN BENEFITS EYE HEALTH Vitamin A promotes eye health and reduces the development of night blindness and other eye degeneration. Since Vitamin A is fatsoluble, feeding your dog pumpkin with a little healthy flax oil will make the nutrients pack even more of a punch. Your dog will love it when you put a dollop of pumpkin on top of his/her regular food. 3. PUMPKIN BOOSTS IMMUNE HEALTH Vitamin C is integral for immune health all-around. When combined with vitamin A (beta-carotene), E and other antioxidants in pumpkin, it can possibly help prevent certain cancers from developing. Antioxidants help destroy free radicals, or oxidants in your dog s system. While oxidants are a natural part of everyone s immune system, too many oxidants can contribute to cancers and damage the body. Pumpkin is a great way to boost your dog s immune system. 4. PUMPKIN MOISTURIZES SKIN & COAT A number of nutrients in pumpkin, including vitamin A and zinc, improve your pet s skin and coat. The high water content in pumpkin flesh also contributes to supple skin and a lustrous coat. In addition to making your dog s coat shine and look fantastic, the added moisture causes the skin to flake less and less hair to be shed on your carpets, furniture, and clothes.

3 5. PUMPKIN SEEDS PREVENT URINARY INCONTINENCE Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin flesh contain antioxidants, and the seeds contain a particularly healthy dose of Omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, which can even help dislodge kidney stones. In addition, pumpkin seed powder is known to prevent urinary incontinence (the reduced ability to hold in urine). 6. PUMPKIN ENCOURAGES DIGESTIVE REGULARITY Although it may defy logic, pumpkins have the unique ability to cure both constipation and diarrhea in your dog. If your pet s stool is a little loose, a little pumpkin can add bulk and form to your dog s poop. Adding some pumpkin to your dog s diet supplies the necessary fibre to enable your dog to pass stool easily and cure constipation. 7. PUMPKIN CAN HELP NATURALLY CONTROL PARASITES Pumpkin has high amounts of an amino acid cucurbitacin, which is actually toxic to many common dog parasites and has been used to expel worms in ruminating animals. Grinding up a teaspoon or two of pumpkin seeds and mixing into canned food, or a little canned pumpkin, is a good preventative measure in conjunction with your dog s usual treatment. 8. PUMPKIN AIDS IN WEIGHT LOSS Pumpkins have a high moisture and fibre content, the perfect combination to assist with your dog s weight loss. Replacing a little of your dog s regular food with canned pumpkin (a few teaspoons for a small dog up to half a cup with a large dog) can help your dog lose some excess weight. The fibre and water in the pumpkin will keep them full, so they don t miss the extra calories. 9. PUMPKIN HYDRATES Many dogs on a kibble only diet, suffer from a mild dehydration. Dry dog food has a very low moisture content and dogs do not possess a very strong thirst drive. The high moisture content of pumpkin, adds more water to your dog s diet easily and naturally. 10. PUMPKIN TASTES GREAT Most dogs relish the rich, creamy flavour of pumpkin. Most willingly lap up even plain cooked pumpkin. For an extra tasty treat, add a pinch of cinnamon or honey to your dogs treat. 1 cup cooked pumpkin Vitamin A: IU Calories: 49 kcal Sugars: 5.1g Potassium: 564 mg Fiber: 2.7g

4 raw, cooked or canned? Experts advise that both raw and cooked pumpkin is safe for most dogs without diabetes or kidney disease. Pumpkin seeds and flesh of fresh raw pumpkins are safe for healthy dogs. If using canned, make sure it s organic pure pumpkin puree, and not a pumpkin pie filling. HOW MUCH PUMPKIN TO FEED YOUR DOG? While pumpkin can be a fantastic addition to your dog s complete diet, it s important that you feed the correct amounts. Extreme amounts of Vitamin A is toxic to dogs. Talk to your vet before feeding your dog pumpkin regularly. Veterinarians that I ve spoken to, suggest 1 heaping tsp of canned (or cooked and pureed) pumpkin per 10 lbs of body weight per day is a recommended amount. Treats, including fruits and vegetables, should never exceed 10% of your dog s daily calories. Pumpkin seeds are high in fat and should be fed more sparingly. 1 ground up pumpkin seed per 10 lbs of body weight per day is a safe amount. While not only senior dogs will benefit from pumpkin, puppies and very small or underweight dogs should only be fed it in very small amounts as a treat. QUICK TIP: Canned pumpkin can be stored in refrigerator for 3 or 4 days. For my small senior dog, I portion out and freeze smaller containers. You can also use ice cube trays. Store pumpkin properly to avoid freezer burn, which can affect taste and nutrient density.

5 simple recipes that will make your best friend jump for joy! 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats pumpkin carrot bites 1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter 1 cup 100% Pure Pumpkin Puree, canned 1 3/4 cups whole wheat or whole grain brown rice flour DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, stir together peanut butter and pumpkin. Stir in the flour 1/4 cup at a time just until dough is no longer sticky. 3. Roll the dough out between two sheets of parchment paper to 1/4 thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the dough, then place on the prepared pan. 4. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container or freeze for up to 3 months. 3/4 cup 100% Pure Pumpkin Puree, canned 1 egg, slightly beaten 1/4 cup shredded carrots 1 cup whole wheat or whole grain brown rice flour DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. In a bowl, stir together all ingredients, just until moistened. 3. Roll the batter into small balls and place on a baking sheet (if batter is too wet, add more flour). 4. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for minutes. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container in fridge for up to 2 weeks.