Why dogs can have it
Pumpkin is not toxic to dogs. Its flesh is high in fibre and water, contains beta-carotene, potassium and other vitamins, and is low in calories. Cooked, mashed flesh is easy to mix into a meal.
Prepared pumpkin dishes contain sugar, butter, cream and spices such as nutmeg, which are not suitable for dogs. Pumpkin is a treat, not a fix for digestive trouble: if your dog has diarrhoea or cannot pass stools, contact a vet.
How to give it
- Peel it, remove the seeds, and boil or bake it without salt or fat.
- Mash the flesh or cut it into small pieces.
- Tinned pumpkin purée is fine too, if pumpkin is the only ingredient.
- The first time, give very little and watch how your dog feels.
What to watch out for
- Too much pumpkin can cause diarrhoea or bloating.
- Pumpkin pie filling and sweetened purée contain sugar and spices such as nutmeg.
- The hard skin and stem are hard to digest and can block the gut.
- A mouldy decorative pumpkin can be harmful to a dog.
Different parts
Not every part of this food is equally safe.
-
Cooked flesh
SafePlain cooked pumpkin flesh is the best part of the pumpkin to give.
-
Raw flesh
In moderationRaw flesh is not toxic but is harder to digest, so give only a little, grated.
-
Seeds
In moderationOnly plain, unsalted, dried and crushed seeds are fine, and only a very little.
-
Skin and stem
Not safeThey are hard, difficult to digest and can block the gut.
What to give instead
- Sweet potatoes Yes, plain boiled or baked sweet potato without salt, butter or spices is fine for dogs, peeled and cut into small pieces. Safe
- Carrots Yes, carrots are fine for dogs: raw or cooked, unseasoned and cut into pieces, they make a crunchy, low-calorie treat. Safe
- Courgettes Yes, courgettes are fine for dogs: raw or cooked, without oil, salt or spices, they make a light, low-calorie treat. Safe
- Peas Yes, peas are fine for dogs: fresh or frozen, cooked without salt, they make a good treat or an addition to a meal. Safe
Looking for a treat?
The "Dog treats" category compares prices for 10,376 products across shops. It is a product category, not a recommendation of what to give.