Is Raw Pumpkin Good For Dogs?

The Short Answer is:

If you don't give your dog too much of it, raw pumpkin is fine for him. In addition, a dog doesn't need too much pumpkin because it is filled with many vitamins and minerals that only a small amount is necessary.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Is Raw Pumpkin Good For Dogs?“.

Another holiday season is upon us?

The counter in your kitchen is piled high with ingredients for pumpkin pie and its chaos.

However before you start cleaning up there is a fresh pumpkin left.

You can not be bothered with cooking anymore since you are stuck between throwing it in the trash or giving it to your dogs.

Can Fido be fed it in a more convenient way?

Is raw pumpkin good for dogs?

Why do not we find out?

Can dogs eat raw pumpkins?

If you do not give your dog too much of it raw pumpkin is fine for him.

In addition a dog does not need too much pumpkin because it is filled with many vitamins and minerals that only a small amount is necessary.

The same could be said for cooked pumpkin- there isnot much difference between the two. 

Raw pumpkin vs cooked pumpkin

In the table below I have created some nutrition data to compare raw pumpkins with cooked pumpkins.

GoodData Central provided the information for these charts. 

This is based on a serving size of 100 grams. 

Three charts are also included.

In the first chart you can see a summary of all the most significant categories as well as how minimal the differences between raw and cooked pumpkins are. 

It seems that the most noticeable difference is with the calories – cooked pumpkin has nearly twice as many as a raw pumpkin. 

However the calories are ridiculously low for a 100 g serving. 

In the chart above the most important minerals in a pumpkin are highlighted. 

As with the cooked pumpkin the raw pumpkin has very similar values. 

Pumpkins are an excellent source of copper potassium and phosphorus in particular. 

Copper is essential for the formation of red blood cells in dogs as well as for their immune systems as well as for their ability to absorb iron. 

A dogs blood pressure can be reduced with potassium and its nerves can be maintained with it. 

Healthy bones are maintained by phosphorus. 

When it comes to vitamins pumpkin is a good source of vitamin A. 

Pumpkin contains too much vitamin A for dogs so you should only feed a small amount of it!

You neednot worry however unless you feed your dog a lot of pumpkins every week

It is vital for a dogs eyes to be healthy as well as for his immune system to function properly. 

As far as dogs are concerned pumpkins contain none of the other vitamins in excessive amounts.

Pumpkins contain a lot of vitamins including vitamin C riboflavin and pantothenic acid. 

As well as maintaining and repairing tissues in a dogs body vitamin C helps with wound healing. 

By breaking down proteins fats and carbohydrates riboflavin or B2 helps turn food into energy. 

Additionally pantothenic acid also known as B5 plays a role in turning food into energy. 

Why should I feed raw pumpkin to my dog?

As with many other real foods raw pumpkins can be used in different ways with our dogs.

It can be used to treat diarrhea in our dogs and I have written an article about how long it takes a pumpkin to work.  

Because pumpkin contains quite a bit of fiber (and water) it is thought to help dogs recover from diarrhea.

It is believed that fiber helps the loose stool “bind together” and water helps “move things along”.

Constipation can also be treated with pumpkin for the same reasons.

It does seem like a contradiction! 

You can add pumpkin to kibble or wet food to spice it up as well. 

For all of you dog owners out there whose dogs can be fussy and indifferent about food at times.

When it comes to food a bit of fruit such as pumpkin can sometimes just break up the monotony. Pumpkin has a different taste and texture from kibble. 

In addition pumpkin can be used as a vitamin and mineral booster for dogs.

Pumpkins are packed with nutrients that are good for your dogs overall health as I have already stated.

Having said that if your dog shows signs of mineral or vitamin deficiency you should take them to a veterinarian since it is too complicated and dangerous to try and solve these problems at home. 

Now that we have covered the many ways that pumpkin can be used in the diet of your dog I will discuss the thorny issue of how often your dog should consume pumpkin 

How often should I feed raw pumpkin to my dog?

No matter what vegetable you choose for your dog there is no such thing as the best vegetable.

I am not saying this because I am concerned about your dog overdosing on vitamin A but rather because you should incorporate a variety of vegetables into your dogs diet.

When considering your dogs diet over a couple of months or so you should see that they have eaten a variety of vegetables. I do not suggest that your dog eats a different vegetable every day of the week. 

In addition to the variety involved with this it exposes your dog to a more complete range of vitamins and minerals. 

As we move forward we will talk about how much you should feed your dog. 

How much raw pumpkin should I feed to my dog?

Pumpkin can be fed to a dog in amounts ranging anywhere from one to four tablespoons (about 10- 50 grams).

Depending on your dogs size you can adjust the amount.

Furthermore if this is the first time that your dog has had a pumpkin go easy and start off small.

Raw pumpkin: how should I prepare it?

Raw vegetables are usually chopped up into about 1 cm chunks when I feed them to my dogs.

Likewise I would do the same with pumpkin.

The reason to chop into such small pieces is so that it will be easier to digest small chunks would not be a choking hazard and small chunks can be mixed into their food. 

Can dogs eat the skin or rind of a pumpkin?

If possible it would be best if your dog ate pumpkin with the skin or rind on.

Just be sure to wash your skin first to get rid of any dirt or chemicals.

When vegetables are peeled their rinds which contain a wealth of nutrients are just discarded.

Furthermore washing a fresh pumpkins skin is far easier than peeling it.  

Are dogs able to eat pumpkin stalks?

A pumpkin stalk does not contain any nutritional information.

The book does not seem to contain much though. 

I do not know why but it looks tough as old boots hard and bitter somehow.

Its a pass for me.

Perhaps the compost pile would be a better place for it than your dogs mouth.

Is it safe for a puppy to eat raw pumpkin?

There is no reason why a puppy should not occasionally eat a bit of raw pumpkin. 

If the puppy is over eight weeks old and confident and happy eating the food you are on you can feed this food to him.

I would avoid confusing your puppy with “sides of vegetables” including pumpkins if they are a bit picky with their food.

Ensure the pumpkin chunks are very small (less than 1 cm) and that you feed them less than a tablespoon. 

Try it out and see what happens!

How should pumpkins be cooked?

Afterward if you still want to feed your dog cooked pumpkin steaming it is the best and gentlest method.

Depending on how big your pumpkin chunks are you need to steam them for a different amount of time.

It should take anywhere from five to ten minutes. 

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.