Pumpkin is delicious in a pie and fun to carve on Halloween, but did you know it also can have a powerful, positive effect on dogs?  Packed with beta caroten; high in vitamins C, K, and E; and an excellent source of potassium, magnesium, and iron, feeding this fruit to your dog may help lower your dog’s risk of cancer, cataracts, and heart disease.  As an added bonus, because it is low in both fat and calories, pumpkin is an excellent source for dog with weight restrictions.  For this reason, it is a popular ingredient in high-quality dog food brands.  It also is a healthy treat to give to your dog.

In addition to high nutritional values, it also is a natural remedy for many stomach ailments, including constipation and mild diarrhea.  The rich fiber will soften your dog’s stools and aid in your dog’s digestion, alleviating your dog’s to overcome its constipation.   If mild diarrhea is the problem, the fiber actually will absorb the excess water in your dog’s digestive system, making the stools firmer.  If the underlying cause of your dog’s stomach ailments is stress-related, or if your dog’s dinner simply did not go down right, the fruit should alleviate both these conditions.  Of course, if your dog has excessive diarrhea, or your dog shows other symptoms indicating a larger health issue, check your dog’s condition with your vet immediately.

Finally, a word to the wise: when picking up cans for your dog, be sure to choose pure pumpkin,  not the sugary (and more unhealthy) pumpkin pie filling. 

The health benefits of pumpkin are many, and worth having a can or two in your pantry for when the time may arise.