Pumpkins are great for humans.
And they offer a lot of health benefits.
But would it help a dog with diarrhea?
As a responsible fur parent…
You’d want to ensure your pooch’s safety.
So before you give Fido some pumpkins…
Let me tell you their pros and cons.
Continue reading to learn:
- What kind of pumpkin works for sick Fidos.
- 3 risks of feeding this food to dogs with diarrhea.
- 5 things that make pumpkin helpful with canine runs.
- How many canned pumpkins you can give to your pooch.
- And a lot more…
Table of contents
Is pumpkin good for dogs with diarrhea?
Pumpkin is good for dogs with diarrhea. However, it works best in plain and canned form. Those type of pumpkin has higher fiber content which helps firm up Fido’s stool. Moreover, if you add spices, it makes things worse for your dog’s diarrhea. To prevent risks, only use plain canned pumpkin puree.
Why is pumpkin good for dogs with diarrhea?
Pumpkin is good for dogs with diarrhea due to its high fiber content. These are carbohydrates that help Fido firm up their stools.
“But how does it work?”
A study paper from Harvard explains:
When dogs have diarrhea, the food they eat moves too fast through their gut.
As a result, they’ll have loose stools and smelly gas.
Now, here’s what fiber from pumpkin can do to help fix that.
To begin with…
Your dog’s digestive system can’t break down fiber from pumpkins. So it stays intact as it passes through the belly.
This lets fiber absorb water. Thus, it adds weight to Fido’s stool.
And that’s how water firms up your dog’s poop.
Thanks to this, it lessens the loose stools from your pooch.
Moreover…
The passage of food inside your dog also slows down.
Why? That’s because of the water from the fiber.
Thanks to that, your dog’s gut can digest the food much easier.
Plus, this helps relieve some of Fido’s stomach ache.
Not to mention, it also keeps them feeling full. That means your pooch won’t feel hungry in the next few hours.
And that’s how fiber helps fight diarrhea in dogs.
Check out also: 17 Simple Tips To Firm Up Your Dog’s Poop (#7 Works Always)
Risks when feeding pumpkin to a dog with diarrhea
#1: Diet imbalance
As I mentioned earlier, pumpkin is rich in fiber, a.k.a, roughage.
But did you know?
Pumpkins can still be risky for some dogs with diarrhea.
That said, the AKC states:
Too much fiber can lead to a diet imbalance in your pooch. That means roughage can block out other healthy nutrients for them.
So instead of making your Fido feel better…
Fiber can make things worse for your furry pal’s diarrhea.
“But how does roughage do that to my dog?”
It’s because Fido’s gut can’t digest fiber from pumpkins. So, the roughage stays intact inside their body.
As a result, it can lead to issues for dogs, such as:
- Vomiting.
- Smelly gas.
- Poor coat quality.
- Sudden weight loss.
Not to mention, too much fiber could also cause diarrhea.
But since your pooch already has this concern…
The result will only make things much worse.
And that means your pooch might end up with severe diarrhea.
So to find out if your dog has this problem, watch out for:
- Orange diarrhea.
- Loose and bloody poop.
- Strong foul odor from the feces.
- Increased frequency of pooping.
Warning: Severe diarrhea can be fatal for dogs. So if you notice these symptoms, call a vet ASAP.
Clinics already closed? This vet shares some home-remedy tips for Fido’s diarrhea:
You might also be interested in: 9 Reasons Why Your Dog Has Diarrhea At Night + 5 Tips
#2: Trigger allergies
Did you know? Some Fidos could be allergic to pumpkins.
And to shed more light on that topic…
One research reveals:
7.6% of dogs could have food hypersensitivity.
Moreover, they can be allergic to many things.
That means it won’t be the same for every dog.
So if your furry friend happens to be sensitive to pumpkins…
Experts say they’ll show allergic reactions after eating, such as:
- Vomiting.
- Lethargy.
- Swollen skin.
- Non-stop itching.
- Abnormal breathing.
- Aggressive behavior.
- Personality changes.
Warning: If you notice severe swelling with redness all over the skin, contact a vet right away. That’s because it could be a sign of anaphylaxis. And it’s a fatal reaction to allergies.
Check out also: Help, My Dog Is Constantly Scratching And Biting Himself!
#3: Can be toxic
Though pumpkins are mostly healthy…
There are times when they can be toxic for your pooch.
But it’s not because of the pumpkin itself.
Usually, it’s due to preservatives or seasonings it might have.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article…
Fido could only benefit from plain and canned pumpkins.
So if you give your dog a different product…
There’s a chance the pumpkin contains things such as:
- Salt.
- Sugar.
- Ginger.
- Cloves.
- Nutmeg.
- Cinnamon.
These 7 ingredients can be harmful to your dog.
For example, some canned pumpkins have a lot of salt.
And if Fido eats too much of this, they could end up poisoned.
Moreover…
The same thing applies to the rest of the food I mentioned above.
“How will I find out if my dog has food poisoning?”
As per research, you can look for signs such as:
- Barfing.
- Lethargy.
- Confusion.
- Dehydration.
- Staring into space.
- Tremors and seizures.
- Fainting (leads to comatose.)
As alarming as these risks can be…
It doesn’t stop there.
To add more, one study states:
Salt poisoning has over 20.6% fatality rate in dogs.
And that’s why you should check every label of canned pumpkins.
Ensure it’s only plain so your pooch can safely eat them.
Otherwise, it can only worsen their diarrhea.
Note: Pumpkin fillings are also not good for dogs. And that’s because they might contain toxic ingredients. So only stick to the plainest canned pumpkins you can find.
Related topic: 7 Reasons Why Dogs Can’t Eat Spaghetti Bolognese
How much pumpkin can I feed my dog with diarrhea?
You can feed a small amount of plain canned pumpkin to your dog with diarrhea.
To be clear, here’s the measurement you need:
Only give 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of pumpkin for every 10 lbs (4.5 kg) of your dog’s body weight.
To make it easier, you can also use the table below:
| Average weight of dogs | Amount of plain canned pumpkins |
| Small 12 to 24 lbs (5.4 to 10 kg) | 1 to 2 tbsp (14.3 to 28.3 g) |
| Medium 24 to 59 lbs (10 to 26 kg) | 2 to 5 tbsp (28.3 to 75.6 g) |
| Large 59 lbs to 100 lbs (26 to 45 kg) | 5 to 10 tbsp (75.6 to 141.75 g) |
“Wait, why can’t I give more pumpkins to my dog?”
That’s because there’s a risk that your pooch might face.
To be specific, their upset tummy can get worse.
“But how can feeding more pumpkins harm my dog?”
Vets say that giving new food to Fido can lead to diarrhea.
But in this case, your dog’s already sick.
So if you feed Fido too many pumpkins…
That might end up delaying their recovery.
Not to mention…
Some dogs could have more sensitive stomachs than others.
And that makes them more prone to a painful belly.
So, not only will it hold back your pooch’s recovery…
But some dogs could also face more pain than others.
Thus, for Fido’s safety, only give them small amounts of pumpkin puree.
And that’s why you should use the table above as a guide.
What is the best food to give a dog with diarrhea?
Aside from pumpkins…
Experts say there are other great foods to help with your dog’s diarrhea.
Here, I’ve listed them for you:
- Turkeys.
- Bananas.
- Oatmeals.
- Watermelons.
- Cottage cheese.
- Lean ground beef.
- Boneless chicken.
- Vet-prescribed probiotics.
Note: Don’t forget that all these foods should be plain. So, no oils, seasonings, or other preservatives. Also, the meat must be boiled and skinless.
Still have trouble with your dog’s diarrhea?
Then it’s best to contact a professional for help.