Having a pet isn’t easy, especially if your furry baby is a picky eater. Choosing the right food for your dog is important to ensure it leads a happy and healthy life in the years to come. According to a study, 47% of pet dogs had a nutritional deficiency of essential vitamins.
One amazing food that offers all-round nutrition to your dog is pumpkin. Be it pureed or simply slices of pumpkin, this vegetable is rich in vitamin A and potassium, among other beneficial nutrients.
If you’re worried that your beloved pet might need pumpkin in their diet, then here are some signs to look out for!
1. Constipation and irregular bowel movements
If your dog has been suffering from severe constipation for quite some time or frequently suffers from mild-to-severe constipation, it’s a sign that it’s not consuming enough fiber.
Organic pumpkin powder for dogs is readily available in different packs and forms. All you have to do is add this powdered form as a topper to their regular meals.
It has a higher concentration of fiber than processed powdered forms, so it’ll help relieve constipation by adding bulk to the stool.
2. Diarrhea and irritable bowel
Pumpkin powder is equally effective in relieving diarrhea in dogs. The soluble fiber content in the pumpkin not only helps to improve the consistency of the stool but also improves the conditions of your dog’s anal glands.
The fermentation of fiber also produces essential fatty acids that help your little one feel better. When it comes to milk diarrhea or irritable bowel, pumpkin powder lowers the alkaline pH of the intestines, thereby reducing the chances of abnormal stool.
3. Dehydration and lethargy
Dehydration in dogs is a dangerous thing. It leads to lethargy, loss of energy, and even organ failure.
However, most pets are unwilling to drink the required amount of water every day. If you’re also a worried parent whose baby never seems to drink enough water, add pumpkin powder to it.
This new flavor will help your dog enjoy lapping up water and also provide the necessary hydration. And once your dog is sufficiently hydrated, you’ll notice a marked change in its energy levels!
4. Rapid weight gain
Small breeds of dogs, especially shih tzus, cocker spaniels, and dachshunds, among others, are more likely to gain weight than others.
Rapid weight gain can lead to arthritis and other obesity-related problems at a young age, which is why weight management is important.
Pumpkin powder is a good food supplement because it contains low calories but also makes your pet feel full due to the high concentration of fiber. As a result, your baby feels healthy but doesn’t get bloated!
5. Frequent digestion issues
Improper diet can cause a host of digestion issues in dogs, starting right from mild indigestion to severe stomach ulcers. Before things get out of hand, you should ensure that your pet’s diet is balanced.
Pumpkin can help to balance the nutrients in the existing diet and support a healthy gut. It has prebiotics that help promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.
As the gut microbiome gets stabilized, you’ll notice your dog experiencing fewer digestive issues.
6. Nutritional deficiency
Along with fiber deficiency, many dogs experience a deficiency of vitamin B12, vitamin A, and even minerals like copper and magnesium.
Organic pumpkin powder is rich in vitamins A and C and contains minerals like copper, potassium, and iron. It contains all the essential nutrients required, all in one ingredient!
The vitamins help to fight against oxidative stress in the cells, leading to better immunity. Minerals help to keep the fur coat lustrous and healthy, as well as aid in strong bones.
7. Skin problems
While this might be due to nutritional deficiency, many healthy dogs suffer from skin irritation and rashes that can be relieved using pumpkin powder.
You can add pumpkin powder to their daily food or even rub a little bit of it on the wounded areas.
Vitamins A and E fight bacteria and germs that cause skin irritation, and pumpkin powder molecules can penetrate deep into the skin. This works especially well if you’re living in a hot and humid climate.
Conclusion
Pumpkin powder in its organic form can be beneficial in various ways for your beloved dog. However, it’s always best to get a medical professional’s opinion before trying it out yourself.
If you’re not sure whether your dog might have a pumpkin allergy, try adding a tiny bit of pumpkin powder to their food and wait for some time. If your pet seems to love it, gradually increase the quantity.
