Pumpkin
What to do with all that pumpkin
It’s that time of year when the shops are fully of pumpkins for us to make jackal lanterns and decorate the house for Halloween, but did you know pumpkin is good for the digestion of your dog and cat?
For cats especially keep portions small: For an average adult cat, start with around ½ teaspoon mixed into food and see how they tolerate it. Too much can cause digestive upset.
Here are some pumpkin facts for you:
Pumpkin is high in fibre – Plain pumpkin can help support healthy digestion and normal bowel movements.
It can help with both loose and firm stools – The soluble fibre absorbs water and adds bulk, which may help dogs and cats with mild diarrhoea, while its fibre and moisture can also help dogs prone to constipation.
Pumpkin contains plenty of moisture – Cooked pumpkin has a high water content, so it can contribute a little extra hydration alongside a dog or cats normal water intake.
It contains beta-carotene – Pumpkin's orange colour comes partly from beta-carotene, which the body can convert to vitamin A. Vitamin A supports normal vision, immune function and healthy skin.
It can be a low-calorie addition to meals – Plain pumpkin can add volume, fibre and flavour without adding lots of calories, which can be useful as an occasional food topper.
Important: Use plain cooked pumpkin or 100% pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling, which can contain added sugar and spices. Pumpkin should complement a complete, balanced diet rather than replace it.
Here are a couple of ways you can cook your pumpkin so that it is ready to be mashed/blended to make purée.
Boil it – just like you would potatoes. Peel and deseed it, dice it up, pop it into a pan of boiling water then drain it, mash it and blend it to make into a puree. Let it cool before serving.
Microwave it - cut it in half (no need to peel it or deseed it), put it cut side up in the microwave and cook for about 20mins.Check that the flesh is soft by poking it with a fork.One ready scoop out the flesh, mash, blend and leave to cool.
To store it – put it in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or keep it frozen for up to 3 months.
For the rest of the year if you can’t get a pumpkin butternut squash has similar health benefits for you dog or cat.
Written By Sara Barnes from Who Lets Your Dog Out? and Dog Adventure Centre and Grantham Cat Sitting
