Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?

The Short Answer is:

There is no question about it – you can feed your dog pumpkin seeds with one caveat: we highly recommend cleaning, peeling, roasting, and then grinding them. You shouldn’t feed your dog raw pumpkin seeds since they can spoil quickly and go rancid.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?“.

Our discussion yesterday focused on the health benefits of feeding dogs pumpkins. Theres no doubt that its a superfood a fruit packed with nutrition.

This fruit is packed with vitamins minerals and antioxidants. Can dogs also eat pumpkin seeds or are pumpkin seeds bad for dogs? Take a closer look.

You can give your dog pumpkin seeds; they’re safe when prepared (do not give them raw and always peel them). If you are wondering “can I give my dog pumpkin seeds” the answer is YES – dogs can eat pumpkin seeds and they’re not dangerous.

Pumpkin seeds for dogs can actually be more beneficial than the pumpkin itself.

In this article we will examine the benefits of pumpkin seeds for dogs how they affect dogs how to feed them and whether pumpkin seeds are harmful to dogs in any way.

What are pumpkin seeds?

The pumpkin seed is an edible seed found in the pumpkin. Hard-shelled seeds from carving pumpkins can be found but seeds from grocery stores tend to be oblong and flat.

There is a large number of minerals vitamins and antioxidants in these seeds that promote overall health.

Due to their numerous health benefits they have been extensively studied in human clinical trials (Phillips et al. 2005).

This is what peeled pumpkin seeds look like:

Pet owners have become accustomed to pumpkin seeds as a snack option for their dogs.

Veterinary professionals recommend including them in dogs’ homemade dog food meals. Are pumpkin seeds safe for dogs to eat? In what ways are pumpkin seeds beneficial to dogs?

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?

Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds? There is no question about it – you can feed your dog pumpkin seeds with one caveat: we highly recommend cleaning peeling roasting and then grinding them.

You should not feed your dog raw pumpkin seeds since they can spoil quickly and go rancid.

Roasted and ground pumpkin seeds are easy to add to your dogs food and have many benefits for canine health.

Feeding dogs pumpkin seeds requires preparation on your part but the benefits are numerous. There are also many homemade dog food recipes that include pumpkin seeds.

Are you looking for some pumpkin dog treat ideas? Take a look at these tasty recipes:

• A healthy recipe for pumpkin cookies for dogs 
• Pumpkin Dog Cookies for Sensitive Stomachs
• Homemade Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Nutrition of pumpkin seeds

Here is a look at the nutrition of pumpkin seeds and some of their health benefits. One ounce of peeled pumpkin seeds contains the following nutrients:

Calories: 126

Fiber: 1.7 grams.

Carbs: 5 grams.

Protein: 7 grams.

Fat: 13 grams

Vitamin K

Phosphorous

Manganese

Magnesium

Iron

Zinc

Copper

Pumpkin seeds are very high in fiber which results in improved digestion in dogs resulting in weight loss for overweight dogs and improved health overall (Burrows et al. 1982).

Furthermore they have one of the highest magnesium contents of all foods which helps dogs maintain healthy bones regulate blood sugar and pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.

In addition to treating diseases infections and worms in dogs pumpkin seeds have also been studied (Mahmoud et al. 2002).

The following are some other potential benefits of pumpkin seeds for humans and dogs:

• Prevent different types of cancer 
• Improve heart health and prevent heart disease 
• Improve sleep
• Reduce inflammation 
• Help with bladder health
• Lower blood sugar levels 

In general pumpkin seeds can be highly beneficial for dogs when they are prepared properly.

How exactly will the addition of pumpkin seeds benefit their overall health and can dog eat pumpkin seeds all the time? Heres what you need to know.

7 Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds for Dogs

The following are seven potential health benefits of feeding pumpkin seeds to dogs:

1. Antioxidants fatty acids in pumpkin seeds promote a dogs urinary health

These seeds are a source of antioxidants and fatty acids that are essential to maintaining urinary health and preventing urinary tract infections.

An overactive bladder in older dogs can be treated with pumpkin seed oil. As well as helping to avoid and dislodge kidney stones the seeds can help to eliminate them.

2. Pumpkin seeds provide a natural way of fighting canine parasites

Pumpkin seeds contain an important amino acid called cucurbitacin which can be used to get rid of parasites and worms in dogs.

In addition to paralyzing and eliminating intestinal parasites cucurbitacin acts as a dewormer. Tapeworms and roundworms are particularly susceptible to it.

3. Pumpkin seeds have anti-inflammatory benefits for dogs

Pumpkin seeds contain Omega-3 fatty acids which can reduce inflammation which can help to treat conditions that affect aging dogs such as arthritis and hip dysplasia.

4. Pumpkin seeds may benefit dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Many male dogs over the age of nine years experience benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate gland enlargement.

This condition can be controlled and prevented from causing your dog serious discomfort with pumpkin seeds.

5. Pumpkin seeds have lipids that provide “good” fats to the dogs body

Lipids are essential fats that the body needs to survive. There are plenty of monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats in pumpkin seeds.

Low levels of bad cholesterol are lowered by these fats which promote higher levels of good cholesterol.

6. Vitamins E and K may improve a dogs cardiovascular health

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that protects cells from free radicals and lowers blood pressure.

This vitamin contributes to proper bone growth and maintenance as well as promoting skin healing after injury.

Vitamin K prevents bleeding not only by causing blood clots after tissue damage but also by aggregating blood cells.

7. Pumpkin seeds contain many vital minerals for a dogs body function

The following critical minerals can be found in significant quantities in pumpkin seeds:

• Support for muscles with potassium
• Zinc for immune function hormone regulation and brain activity
• Iron phosphorus and magnesium for red blood cell function
• The mineral calcium is necessary for healthy bone and tooth growth as well as for fighting cancer

So can dogs have pumpkin seeds and reap the benefits?

Is it safe for dogs to eat pumpkin seeds regularly given all the above factors? You can certainly include pumpkin seeds in your dogs regular diet.

If prepared correctly meaning you do not feed your dog raw potatoes but rather peel roast and grind them then this food can work wonders for the dogs health.

However are pumpkin seeds bad for dogs in any way?

Any Potential Side Effects of Pumpkin Seeds for Dogs?

In certain circumstances can pumpkin seeds be harmful to dogs? The answer is no.

Pumpkin seeds do not have any direct side effects on dogs. However there are a few things to remember and things to avoid when feeding them to your pup.

Salt should be avoided. You should not add salt to the pumpkin seeds as dogs should only eat plain pumpkin seeds.

A dogs health can be compromised by salt especially when it comes to sodium levels in the body. Try to keep the seeds plain.

They should be roasted. Make sure you roast pumpkin seeds before feeding them to your pup.

Raw fresh seeds spoil very quickly; roasting the seeds extends their shelf life by roughly a month (they also taste better roasted).

Maintain proper storage. Pumpkin seeds should be kept in sealed packages since they become highly toxic when they spoil. You can store these seeds in sealed bags for up to six months.

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?

Having said all that can dogs eat pumpkin seeds safely and without risk to their health? Most definitely yes – you can feed your dog pumpkin seeds.

Among their many vitamins minerals and antioxidants they are mini-powerhouses.

Is it harmful to dogs to eat pumpkin seeds? Absolutely not. Dogs are totally safe from them as long as they’re prepared properly.

Clean and roast pumpkin seeds and then add them to your dogs diet on a regular basis or as an occasional healthy treat.

Pumpkin seeds improve dog health in a wide range of ways including preventing urinary infections and cancers.

Store pumpkin seeds properly to ensure their shelf life and prevent their toxicity when they go bad.

It is possible to have too much of a good thing.

Therefore feed pumpkin seeds to your dog in moderation and introduce this new snack slowly into his diet if he is not already accustomed to them.

Common Questions about Pumpkin Seeds and a Dogs Diet

You may still have a few questions about pumpkin seeds and how they fit into your dogs diet even if you know they have some benefits for dogs.

We answer the most common questions about this food.

Can Pumpkin Seeds Kill Dogs?

Whether your dog eats fresh or processed pumpkin seeds you should not worry. Pumpkin seeds do not contain any harmful chemicals.

Make sure to avoid giving your dog processed seeds that contain added ingredients. Also it would be helpful if you did not overfeed your dog these treats since if you do they may upset his stomach.

Can Dogs Have Pumpkin Seeds in the Shell?

You do not have to worry about seeds getting mixed into pumpkin flush when your dog has a snack. The shells of shelled pumpkin seeds or shelled sunflower seeds are fine for him to consume.

What Seeds Are Bad for Dogs?

You should never give your dog fruit pits such as cherry pits and avocado pits as these are toxic to dogs. It would also be helpful if you avoided nuts shells or apple seeds since there is a risk.

You can give your dog seeds from a pumpkin or shelled flaxseed chia seeds or sunflower seeds.

What Can Dogs Not Eat?

Dogs are not allowed to eat onions chives garlic macadamia nuts avocados chocolate alcohol corn on the cob artificial sweetener or cooked bones. Check with your veterinarian if you are unsure.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.