Pumpkin & Other Superfoods for Your Dog

A few years ago we shared the ultimate guide on feeding pumpkin to your dogs. Who knew pumpkin was such a hot topic? We received almost 100 comments with questions and anecdotes on how feeding pumpkin has benefited their pup.

We thought we’d revisit and share some fun pumpkin recipes, as well as other dog superfoods you might want to try.

First, let’s recap. Why is pumpkin a superfood for dogs?

Benefits of Feeding Pumpkin

• Quells an upset stomach
• Adds in fiber to aid with weight loss
• Helps avoid diarrhea
• The fatty acids and antioxidants found in pumpkin helps keep their skin and coat healthy
• Since its composed of 90% water, adding it to food will help keep your dog hydrated

Pumpkin Recipes

You can always feed plain pumpkin puree to your dog by the spoonful or as a kibble topper. If you want to pumpkin it up a bit, try these recipes to make your dog’s day:

Homemade Pumpkin Treats

• Ingredients
  • 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup plain canned pumpkin
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter (make sure there is no xylitol in your PB!)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Directions
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)
  • Whisk together all ingredients. Add water as needed to make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff. Roll the dough into a 1/2 -inch-thick roll. Cut into ½ inch pieces.
  • Bake in a preheated oven until hard, about 40 minutes.

Pumpkin Ice Cream

• Ingredients
  • ½ cup plain canned pumpkin
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter (make sure there is no xylitol)
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 32 oz plain yogurt
• Directions
  • Whisk together all ingredients except yogurt
  • Fold in yogurt using a rubber spatula
  • Using a muffin tin lined with cupcake foils, divide the mixture
  • Place in freezer and freeze for at least 2 hours

Pumpkin Popsicles

• Ingredients:
  • 1 part plain canned pumpkin
  • 1 part bone broth (make sure there is no added garlic, onions or salt)
  • Handful of kibble
• Directions
  • Mix ingredients until blended
  • Grab an ice cube tray and place a few pieces of kibble at the bottom of each compartment
  • Pour pumpkin mixture evenly across the tray
  • Place in freezer for 4-6 hours until frozen
  • Give to your dog as a cold treat

Other Superfoods for Dogs

Give these superfoods as treats, or add to your dog's mealtime. Just make sure to give a bit less regular kibble to compensate for the extra calories you’re adding in.

• Sweet potato - High in fiber, full of vitamins A, B6, and C to help maintain the immune system.
• Eggs - High in protein and packed with amino acids, eggs are great to help maintain muscle and overall tissue health; also aids with digestion. Always served cooked with no added spices or oils.
• Fish - High in omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and D. Great for joint health!
• Carrots - A great source of beta-carotene to help maintain vision. Vitamin A keeps the immune system strong. Give whole frozen carrots as a tasty chew!
• Quinoa - Rich in minerals.
• Blueberries - Full of fiber and rich in antioxidants. A sweet treat that’s healthy for your pup!

We hope you enjoyed this blog and try out some of these recipes! We'd love to hear feedback on what works with your pups.