Veterinary Check-up in Dartmouth: Pumpkin Benefits for Dogs
Understanding canine nutritional needs is one of the most crucial aspects of pet ownership. Gone are the days of pet owners simply trusting that the “bag of dry” that they get at the local grocery store is enough to meet the nutrition requirements for their dogs. However, before you make any changes to your pup’s diet, make sure to schedule an appointment for a veterinary check-up. You will want to choose a diet plan based on your pet’s age, health, activity level, and other essential needs. Your veterinarian at Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth can help you make smart choices that will help your dog to live a happy and healthy life.
This time of year it seems as though everywhere we look there are pumpkin recipes and coffee drink options for people to enjoy. While pumpkin is a tasty way to indulge in the fall season, there are many healthy reasons to add pumpkin to our diets. Many pet owners don’t realize that there are also pumpkin benefits for dogs that can help to provide supplemental nutrition year-round. Pumpkin is extremely rich in nutrients. It is low in calories but provides a long list of essential vitamins and minerals. Check with your vet to find out if adding pumpkin to your furry friend’s diet could help satisfy their canine nutritional needs.
Vitamin A
One of the most beneficial nutrients found in pumpkin is vitamin A. It is an essential vitamin for eye health and can even help to prevent eye degeneration disease. Vitamin A is fat-soluble, which means that if you feed it to your pet with a bit of healthy oil, the nutrients will be even more powerful. Add a bit of pumpkin to your pet’s regular food or mix with flax oil, coconut oil, or any other nutrient-rich oil that is recommended at your veterinary check-up to boost the advantages of this amazing ingredient. Vitamin A also helps to improve your pet’s coat and skin, as well as work with other nutrients to improve health in different ways.
Vitamin C
Boost your pet’s immune system with a healthy dose of vitamin C found in pumpkin. When vitamin C, A, E, and other beneficial antioxidants are combined, they can work together to prevent certain cancer cells from developing. All of these fantastic nutrients are found in pumpkin, which is why it is touted as being able to help destroy free radicals. People and pets can both benefit from this type of nutrition to prevent damage caused by oxidants. In addition, all of these nutrients work together to decrease shedding, improve moisture in your pet’s skin, and help their fur to look its very best.
Omega-3
Pumpkin puree is a popular treat for dogs and people, but did you know that pumpkin seeds are beneficial as well? The seeds contain even more antioxidants, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. There are many advantages to adding pumpkin seeds to your pet’s diet to meet their canine nutritional needs. However, speak with your veterinarian at Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth before adding any new food or supplement to your pet’s diet. Pumpkin benefits for dogs are excellent, but you don’t want to accidentally add something that might interfere with other conditions, treatments, or nutrients.
Digestive Health
Another great benefit of adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet is that it encourages better digestive health. One of the best ways for a pet owner to determine if their dog is healthy is whether they have “healthy” stools. Stools that are hard can be difficult to pass, putting a strain on your dog’s intestines. Pumpkin contains natural fiber, which can help to cure constipation. However, some unique pumpkin benefits for dogs are that it can also cure loose stool in your pup, which is why it is recommended for pets who have a wide range of digestive and elimination issues. Pumpkin can also help dogs to pass parasites, such as tapeworms, due to the high content of an amino acid that is toxic to those parasites.
How Much Pumpkin?
Once again, the best way to determine if your dog should start getting a daily dose of pumpkin and how much will depend greatly on his or her health, age, lifestyle, and the recommendations of your trusted veterinarian at your next veterinary check-up. Certain conditions or diseases may be adversely affected by the simple addition of pumpkin. Our team at Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth can help you determine the best course of action for all of your canine nutritional needs. However, the rule of thumb is one teaspoon of cooked and pureed or canned pumpkin – not pumpkin pie filling, which contains seasonings and spices – per 10 pounds of body weight per day. Which means that a 50-pound dog could have up to 5 teaspoons of pumpkin puree added to their food each day.
Schedule an appointment for a veterinary check-up or to speak with our staff at Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth, Massachusetts by calling 508-996-3731. We can answer your questions about canine nutritional needs or help your pet get on a healthy diet plan.