naturalpet
Pumpkin for Pets
by Morieka V. Johnson L
ike kids who clamor for every tidbit in a candy store, Val Clows’ Great Danes have their choice of
flavorful, high-quality dog kibble. But they still can’t wait to get their paws on new deliveries of pumpkin-based granola arriving at her Holistic for Pets shop in Sarasota, Florida. She reports that her two-legged customers enjoy eating the pumpkin product, too. “Ev- erybody is looking for something tasty that’s low calorie and high fiber,” says Clows, smiling. Traditionally reserved for grocery store aisles, pumpkin is now show- ing up in pet stores, too, as human food-grade animal treats, dried kibble and simple puréed goodness. A grow- ing array of pet food products, from granola to dog biscuits, touts pumpkin for its vitamin A and fiber content. “We’ve been using pumpkin for a long, long time at our house,” remarks Clows. “But about two years ago, I started seeing pumpkin products labeled for pets, as well as pet treats that are pumpkin based. My dogs par- ticularly love canned pumpkin, laced with a touch of cinnamon and ginger.” As with all good things, use pump-
kin in moderation, suggests Dr. Jennifer Monroe, of Eagles Landing Veterinary Hospital, in McDonough, Georgia. “Pumpkin is good for pets with digestive issues, especially those on a hypoaller- genic diet, because it doesn’t typically appear in pet foods,” she says. “But it’s best in small doses, in order to prevent weight gain.” The low-calorie gourd
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comes loaded with carbohydrates; one cup of puréed, canned pumpkin has as much as eight grams. Monroe observes that pumpkin
has been a go-to item for pets with digestive issues since she was in veteri- nary school in the mid-1980s, primarily because it is a relatively inexpensive and readily available item. Bland, white rice is another popular home remedy for settling pets’ stomachs, she notes, but its high fiber content typically makes pump- kin the better choice. Before stocking up on pumpkin, Monroe recommends start- ing with prebiotic and probiotic prod- ucts, which have been tested extensively for their health benefits. When diarrhea strikes, Veterinary
Doctor Alice Martin, of Eagles Land- ing, says it’s best to consult a profes- sional before attempting any home remedies. Monroe adds that cats with constipation need no more than one to two tablespoons of pumpkin per can of cat food. For dogs, the amount of pumpkin should be at least 10 per- cent of the day’s total caloric intake. As autumn temperatures drop and pumpkins become readily avail- able, many pet owners prefer the all-natural, do-it-yourself approach. Monroe likes to grow and purée her garden pumpkins as a good-tasting aid to ensuring a happy, healthy home.
Morieka V. Johnson is a freelance writer in Atlanta, GA. Reach her at
Morieka@gmail.com.
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