Author TB Thompson DVM has been a licensed, practicing veterinarian since 2000.
In this article, we will discuss giving dogs pumpkin as a treatment for diarrhea.
Based on reports from dog caretakers, pumpkin does seem to help some dogs with diarrhea.
However, most dogs get better from diarrhea within a day or two with no treatment at all. So we have to ask: is the pumpkin curing them or would they have gotten better even without it?
Read on to learn what qualities of pumpkin might help firm up a dog’s loose stool and how much you should give them.
Is Pumpkin Good for Dogs With Diarrhea?
Fiber in food can help dogs with diarrhea.
Cooked and canned pumpkin are both high in moisture and relatively high in fiber. Pumpkin has about 60% soluble fiber and 40% insoluble fiber.(1) Each fiber type benefits digestion in different ways.
Pumpkin is good for dogs with diarrhea because its fiber draws water into the feces as they pass through the colon. The extra fiber can help stool consistency become firmer.
But pumpkin is not a very efficient source of fiber.
Dr. Lisa Freeman of Tufts University calculated that a medium-sized dog needs to eat 12 cups of pumpkin per day to match the amount of fiber in a prescription high fiber dog food.(2)
When fed in large enough quantities to contain significant fiber, pumpkin provides too many calories and too few essential nutrients. So your dog might be better off eating high fiber dog food when they have loose stools.
How Much Pumpkin to Give a Dog with Diarrhea
Snacks and treats should comprise no more than 10% of a dog’s daily diet.
A 30-pound dog eats about 500 calories per day. Since canned pumpkin has 45 calories per half-cup, a 30-pound dog can eat up to 1/2 a cup of pumpkin per day.
Since pumpkin is fibrous and starchy, I recommend giving half the maximum amount to avoid digestive upset.
| Body Weight of Dog in Pounds | Amount of Plain Canned Pumpkin Per Day |
|---|---|
| 15 | 1 Tbsp. |
| 30 | ¼ cup |
| 50 | ⅓ cup |
| 75 | ½ cup |
Canned Pumpkin vs. Cooked Pumpkin for Dogs
Canned pumpkin can be part of a dog’s healthy diet. Most canned pumpkin is 100% pumpkin with no other ingredients.
Fresh pumpkin can be cooked the same way as any other squash. Remove the seeds and cut it into slices about 3 inches wide. Then bake in a 375-degree oven for about 40 minutes or until the flesh is soft.
After baking, allow slices to cool a bit before scraping the soft flesh away from the skin. Discard the skin and only feed your dog the cooled flesh. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
In traditional Chinese medicine, pumpkin is considered a “special” food that benefits the digestive tract of dogs with an upset stomach. And dogs have evolved to like sweet flavors, so pumpkin is the perfect treat since it’s sweet without added sugar.
Raw pumpkin is not toxic to dogs but it’s hard to digest and could cause an upset stomach.
What Kind of Canned Pumpkin is Best?
Make sure to buy canned pumpkin that contains ONLY pure pumpkin. Some brands add salt, sugar and/or spices. These add too many calories and could upset the digestive system.
Ingredients to watch out for in canned pumpkin:
- Added salt (plain pumpkin has less than 10 mg sodium per ½ cup)
- Xylitol (a sugar substitute toxic to dogs)
- Sugar
How Fast Does Pumpkin Work for Dog Diarrhea?
Most dogs with diarrhea get better within a couple of days with no treatment whatsoever. Dogs eating pumpkin should get better within 48 hours or see a veterinarian.
Other signs that your dog needs to see a vet: vomiting, blood in the stool, poor appetite or if he has any other unusual symptoms.
Side Effects of a Dog Eating Too Much Pumpkin
Healthy dogs can safely eat canned pumpkin puree occasionally.
It can cause excessive gas or diarrhea for dogs that are sensitive. Check with your vet before giving it to diabetic dogs as it could alter blood sugar control if you feed it to your dog regularly.
Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
While pumpkin seeds are not necessarily toxic to dogs, there are other reasons not to give them to your pup.
Dogs have teeth made for tearing and cutting so they don’t chew the same way humans do. They’re likely to swallow pumpkin seeds whole.
With their tough fibrous shell, whole pumpkin seeds will pass through a dog’s GI tract undigested. Seeds with shells could potentially cause severe upset stomach, constipation and even intestinal obstruction if eaten in large quantities.
7 Ways to Feed Pumpkin to Your Dog
- Canned pumpkin can be placed on top of or mixed into dry dog food at mealtime.
- Try spreading it onto a saucer to distract your dog while you brush him.
- Spoon some canned pumpkin into a clean silicon tube used for carrying travel shampoo–let him lick it out as you squeeze the tube as a unique training reward.
- Mix canned pumpkin with dry kibble and stuff it into a Kong toy. Freeze for a few hours then let your pup spend some time un-stuffing the Kong.
- Mix canned pumpkin with a little warm low-sodium chicken broth to make a nice “soup” to warm up your dog on a cold day.
- Freeze canned pumpkin in small ice molds then add the icy treats to a puzzle toy.
- Make pumpkin pupsicles for hot weather treats. Mix canned pumpkin with a little yogurt and freeze in popsicle molds.
Easy Pumpkin Dog Treats Recipe
Canned pumpkin is a wonderful ingredient to use in dog treats! It adds natural sweetness and moisture.
Ingredients:
1 cup plain canned pumpkin
2 cups flour
1 egg
- In a medium bowl, add canned pumpkin, flour, and egg. Mix well until a stiff dough forms.
- Roll dough out about 1/4 inch thick and cut out treat-sized shapes or squares. Place treats on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes.
- Let cool before serving and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
