Can dogs eat pumpkin?
The full picture
Pumpkin is widely recommended by vets for dogs with mild digestive issues. Its high soluble fiber content helps with both diarrhea (by bulking stools) and constipation (by softening them). It's also low in calories and rich in vitamins A, C, and E. The crucial distinction is plain pumpkin versus pumpkin pie filling — pie filling contains sugar, spices (including nutmeg, which is toxic), and sometimes xylitol. Always read the label. Tinned plain pumpkin puree or freshly cooked pumpkin flesh is ideal.
Risks to watch for
- Pie filling contains toxic nutmeg
- Sugar if pre-sweetened
Potential benefits
- Aids digestion in both directions
- Vitamin A, C, E
- Beta-carotene
- Low in calories
Safe portion size
1-2 teaspoons for small dogs, 1-2 tablespoons for large dogs, mixed with food.
How we keep this site free. Some links on this page take you to Amazon. We earn a small commission if you buy something — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend categories we'd genuinely use ourselves, and the editorial above is written first, products picked second. Full disclosure.