If your poor dog has been recently diagnosed with pancreatitis, you’re probably worried about their diet and if or not you should feed your dog pumpkins. After all, we all have heard the benefits (from digestive health betterment to the enhancement of the quality of coat) that this superfood has to offer to pooches, haven’t we? Later in this post, we should find out if these rumors are true and if this superfood is actually beneficial for dogs with pancreatitis.
To be precise, pumpkins should generally be safe for dogs, even if your pooch is suffering from pancreatitis. Nonetheless, during illnesses, it is always a good idea to make sure there is enough communication between pet parents and the health care provider, as overfeeding of pumpkin can worsen the symptoms or cause a whole different health issue. Moreover, if your pooch is suffering from underlying illnesses such as kidney disease, it is imperative to consult with an expert beforehand.
Read on to find out more about pumpkin for dogs with pancreatitis. We will discuss why pumpkin is good for pancreatitis and also how much you should feed it to your pooches. So, should you feed your dog pumpkin if they have pancreatitis? Let’s start by answering this question first, shall we?
Should I Feed My Dog Pumpkin if They Have Pancreatitis?
Pumpkin is 94% water but whatever the flesh remains is power-packed with nutrients. This soluble fiber-rich food mostly adds water to your doggo’s diet as it is very light in calories, roughly amounting to less than 50 calories per cup of pumpkin. That being said, if your dog is ill or suffering from pancreatitis, we’d always recommend you consult with a vet beforehand.
Pancreatitis is an illness in which enzymes produced by the pancreas, a vital gland of your digestive system, activate early and start attacking the pancreas itself. This inflammation, while curable, can still be very severe, and a proper diet and nutrition intake are of utmost priority alongside other medical treatments advised by a doctor. A low-fat, highly digestible diet with enough protein to stimulate and aid tissue repair and growth is recommended in pets suffering from pancreatitis.
Pumpkin consists of soluble fibers, which are easy to digest for your dog even if they’re suffering from pancreatitis. Moreover, vitamins A, C, E, and zinc are also abundantly available in pumpkin. No wonders vet doctors often rave about the benefit of adding pumpkin to your pooch’s daily diet. However, feeding dogs uncooked pumpkins is not recommended as they go stale quickly, and we all know how playful some pooches can be with their food.
Is Pumpkin Good for Dogs with Pancreatitis?
As we discussed above, nutrient and antioxidant-rich pumpkin is a superfood for both humans as well as your doggo. However, pancreatitis is a serious disease and can be potentially life-threatening. Therefore, while pumpkin in moderate amounts is generally safe for dogs suffering from pancreatitis, you should always seek vet approval before making any dietary changes for your ill dog.
Pancreatitis is often accompanied by digestive issues, loose stool, or diarrhea. And the good news is that pumpkin is one of the best foods you can give your pet to soothe their digestive system. Therefore, your vet will probably approve of pumpkins in your ill dog’s bland diet, and in that case, feel free to feed your dog pumpkins as recommended.
Furthermore, although it is widely advised to opt for canned pumpkins instead of fresh ones for your doggo, please know that both are equally nutritious, and you can feed your doggo, whichever is convenient to you. Our major recommendation would be to always read the ingredient label on your canned pumpkin as additives such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and xylitol, can be toxic to your dog. Moreover, as pumpkin pie filling can contain too much sugar, which isn’t healthy for your ill dog, always choose pumpkin puree instead.
How Much Pumpkin Should You Give a Dog with Pancreatitis?
The recommended pumpkin dose for your pooch depends upon their breed and size. However, the general rule of thumb is to feed no more than a tablespoon or two for a large giant dog, and in case your pooch is medium-sized or small, keep the amount limited to one to two teaspoons. Please note that while pumpkin has a wide range of benefits to offer to your pooch, this high-fiber food can do more bad than good if fed too much or too often.
You can also break down the portion and feed your doggo organic pumpkin twice a day. In the case of small young pups, half a teaspoon of pumpkin daily should do the job. To be more precise, 1 teaspoon of pumpkin per every 10 pounds of your pooch’s body weight is a proper estimation. Remember that it is always best to start in small quantities and increase the amount a little at a time to prevent any unwanted complications.
When fed in a larger amount, fibers in the pumpkin can be too much for your pooch to handle, thus resulting in bowel issues. While pumpkin helps with diarrhea, one of the common side effects of pancreatitis, excess pumpkin can sadly further exaggerate the issue. Moreover, excessive fiber intake can also hinder your dog’s ability to absorb nutrition and can potentially result in nutrition deficiencies in your dog. Also, as canned pumpkins can be high in salt content, a pet parent is recommended to be extra careful with the amount when feeding their pooch with a heart illness or a kidney problem.
Conclusion
We believe we have provided you with all the information about feeding pumpkins to dogs with pancreatitis. There are many ways to cook pumpkin for your doggo; you can either research recipes or take the vet’s advice on how to cook pumpkin to feed your ill dog. Also, a quick reminder – while it’s better to avoid feeding pumpkin stem and skin to your doggo, pumpkin seeds, however, are power-packed! In fact, many pet parents dry the seeds and grind them into powder to conveniently feed their pooches these nutrient-rich seeds.
