Can dogs eat Raw Pumpkin?

[byebye12]

Is it ok for my German Shepherd pup to eat raw pumpkin? I was scooping some out tonight to make pumpkin seeds and she was going nuts from the smell. I gave her a little taste and she loved it! Is it ok?

[animals_rock101]

I have a rottweiler and he is non stop with pumpkin

[tonyb286]

Hi all. Bit late to be replying to this, but recent posts encouraged me ... pumpkin is being hailed as a wonder food for dogs, and it has many benefits, in moderation. Unlike many other fruits and vegetables, even the seed is relatively healthy for dogs in small quantities. The danger is at this time of the year, when pumpkins have been left standing outside for a period of time.  Pumpkin flesh and skin and seeds go rancid very quickly, and it's the bacteria that can cause real problems as it is highly toxic to a dog's digestive tract, so just a word of caution.

[KatBerry]

Dogs can have just about any veggie. they love spinach, cooked carrots, and green beans. Some dogs like bananas. Dogs also love Pumpkin. However, never give a dog grapes or raisens as they are poisonous to dogs.

[CritterServant]

I moved my Bichon to a home fixed diet at 10 weeks.  He's 5, in terrific health, routinely gets strong results on his annual blood bio-analysis. People stop me all of the time to ask 'what I do' to make his coat so white and thick, and why he doesn't have the tearing that most small white dogs do.  Can't prove anything, but seems to me it's an indication that eating most of what I do, in proportions appropriate to a dog, works well for him.  I use Dr. Pitcairn's book as a guide.  Just like a baby, though, you need to start them slowly, adding small amounts of no more than one new food a week, to give their digestive system time to build up the appropriate digestive bacteria.  Veggies that he routinely eats include yams, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, beet greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach, green beans: meats include chicken, turkey, canned mackeral, other fish that I am eating, beef and venison, and occasionally small amounts of non-fatty pork.  I used to feed grain, but found he wasn't digesting it and it interfered w/ absorption of some vitamins, so stopped grains last year.  I cook both meats and veggies lightly. The important thing is learning the right balance of each component of a dog's diet.

[chuter15]

I have a black german shepherd pup aswell, and I wouldn't worry about pumkin. I feed her a mixture of high quality kibble and raw food, and she does just fine. Foods to avoid (can cause problems or be fatal):
grapes, raisins, onions, chocolate, caffeine, and certain flowers/plants
Pretty much anything else is ok, but google for a complete list.

[freenikita]

I have two black german shepherds :) I think pumpkin is fine but my experience with my two beasts is: I noticed that raw is too much for their tummies. GSDs can have intestinal difficulties.  so raw vegetables are to be avoided always a little steamed (in my opinion of course).

best

nikita

[DobieMommy]

Pumpkin is supposed to be helpful with dogs experiencing both constipation and diarrhea although like all things I wouldn't recommend it in large amounts.

I've gotten canned pumpkin (make sure it's not pie filling and just regular pureed pumpkin with no additional seasoning) from the store and she's had no problems.  I've served it along with her regular food and I've also used it alone as a treat.  

When we took walks in the winter time when we got back I'd make her a warm treat by heating up a few tablespoons of pumpkin in the microwave and adding a splash of pet-specific milk (looking at the ingredients I think it's just lactose free milk but more expensive, oh well).  She had nice firm bowel movements and no problems.

She also loves her sweet potato as well.  

[glowryb]

Whatever you do, do not allow your dog to eat onions or grapes.  They are toxic to dogs....harms their kidneys and can shut their kidneys down.

[ilee0921]

What all herbal product did you use when they had Parvo? I do animal rescue and have saved several at home,but I am very tired of hearing the vet say "they will never make it,you need to put them down" If I can get ahead of the parvo before it gets so bad maybe it would help save more.Thanks

[moe14359]

Not sure where the information of small breeds can't handle fruits and vegetables comes from other than opinion. It's silly. My King Charles Spaniels has been eating fresh organic baby carrots, tomatoes, beans, apples, pears no core or seeds, clementines, blueberries and cooked fresh pumpkin since I got him at 8 weeks. So has my friends 3 King Charles. Also he eats a high end brand of human grade dog food that only contains pure meat and vegetables.  All of this which is OK' d by the VET and encouraged instead of empty calorie filler filled dog treats and foods. Fruit and Vegetables provide much needed fiber for their (small breed) anal glands and pumpkin works miracles for gas bubble and inflamed intestines. You can also get a high fiber food from your vet to relieve the gas and constipation.You should supplement pumpkin or the high fiber food with rice to sooth their stomach. If the gas and bloat are bad enough my VET inserted a tube in the dogs rectum to relieve it when he ingested some marinara sauce that contained garlic and onions which are highly toxic to dogs, especially small ones (grapes and raisins are to). Always ask your VET everything about your own dog. Although what I have written here is from VET advice and pertains to my dog and what was happening at that moment call your own doctor. There is way to much opinion and presumption, not sound medical advice going on here.

[crackerjack4u2]

Hello Nicole,
Personally, I wouldn't recommend giving your 4 month old pup any fruits or vegetables at all.  The smaller breed dogs do not seem to tolerate anything like that, like the larger breeds do.    Fruits and Vegetables are hard for them to digest even if cooked and causes major Bloating, Gas, and also causes them to get Diarrhea frequently. Which not only causes the poor little dog to be miserable, it often causes a lot of unnecessary Vet bills at times as well.  

I also recommend only giving her a diet of dog food only.  Proteins such as steak, hamburger, etc can very easily cause her to have pancreatitis because she does not have the enzymes to digest them. Again this affects the toy/smaller breeds quicker than the larger breeds but all are at risk.  If she happens to get pancreatitis your new baby, will be one sick puppy, and you could possibly lose her.

So please be cautious of what you or others are feeding her off your plates, and consider not doing it at all, to ensure your puppy has a happy, healthy, and long life.  I Hope This Helps!  Good Luck and God Bless Brenda

[nicole_nicole]

my dog is a toy poodle, she is only 4 months old...i'm a first time owner, can i know what fruits and vegetables are suitable for her?! thanks =)

[chocolatelabpup]

My 5 year old chocolate lab pigged out on pumpkin while my husband and I were carving yesterday.  We kept trying to make him stop but he would sneak nibbles of the pumpkin insides.  He is now a gassy disaster at my feet, farting every 5 minutes.  HORRIBLE!!!

[maxxiebabe]

i just gave my dog like 4 peices of pumpkin and no signs of anything yet hope it is a good thing:)

[asmith2]

My 7 month old yorkie/schnauzer got a few seeds the other night when I was carving a pumpkin and he has been VERY gassy lately and not in control of his bowel movements (he has been housetrained for months now).  Did your vet says anything about the seeds?  Or mention any treatments?

[cajaz]

We just got home and my golden retriever ate 1/2 a pumpkin. It wasn't a carved pumpkin either. She ate the rind and the inside. What did your vet tell you to give your basset? anything? Just wait and watch?

[harleygirl49]

I WOULD NOT recommend it at all unless it is cooked pumpkin. My basset ate the carved nose and eye and he is one sick pup. We thought he didn't chew it up and had a blockage as he has been so sick since Sat. We took him to the vet today and had x rays done. No blockage, just big time gas bubble and inflamed intestines. The vet said the rind of uncooked pumpkin forms gas when they eat it. It may take up to 72 hrs for it to finally breakdown. He is just miserable. Just an FYI.

[Sandra_G]

I give my Poodle cooked Yams daily. She takes her pills with mashed yams & has no idea it's pills. lol   Don't overdo giving your dog Pumpkin. I would suggest cooking it though.
You never know what parasite gets in Pumpkins or in any raw vegetables.
Also, cooked sweet potato is a great treat for dogs, & healthy too. In moderate amounts.

[GSDgal]

Wow. My recently acquired 3yr old GSD went absolutley crazy for the pumpkins we were trying to carve last night. We could barely keep him away from it and finally ended up giving it to him since he liked it so much. The vet I used to work for actually recommended pumpkin as a bland diet for patients with mild digestive issues before she ran further tests if symptoms went on.
I cannot imagine a problem with a pet eating pumpkin. The only thing I will ask my vet about after the weekend is a possible vitamin/mineral defficiency with my guy.

[April2]

I was actually told to give a tsp of pumpkin to my cat for awhile there when she was constipated. Like the others said, it's a great laxative! A little shouldn't hurt. :)

[Bwoods]

My Pups are German Shp./Ridgeback Parvo Surviors. Saved all herbal, all at home after the Vet wanted to put them down.  I added Pumpkin to their diet to rebuild their digestive system. And add a tbls. a night when they have any bowl problems. It's so good for them. In moderation, like anything else. and saves lots of expensive vet visits!

[Yvette BG]

We have 2 German Shepherds. Our younger dog just loves sweet potatoes. Go figure. The older one turns his nose up at them.  

[Paula56]

My dogs eat canned 100% pumpkin with every meal and have for years.  Pumpkin is great for their skin, coats and adds fiber to their diet.  

[Avas Mom]

Im sure theres nothing to worry about! my brothers dog use to eat socks and underwear! But she died so i wouldnt suggest letting them. Then again they dont know what she died of for sure.