What are the benefits of Pumpkin?

[Otto'sMom]

I've been reading the reccommendations for feeding pumpkin to the pups but haven't run across a list of benefits of doing it. So what are the benefits of feeding your dog pure nonpumpkinpiefilling pumpkin?

[Meemoo]

NOT the pie mix...is good for both constipation and diarrhea. It works in either case. It is also good because it has few calories and fills up the dog for losing weight. It also has vitamins which are healthy as well. You don't want to give TOO much though at one time.

[dutchman]

Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it is generally used as a filler. That is when you have an overweight dog and you are trying to cut back on the amount of food that you are feeding them you supplement the food witht the pumkin whic is suppose to have a low calorie count. That way the dog stomach feels like it is getting more to eat while helpiong to achive the goal of taking in fewer total calories in the a attempt to reduce the dog's weight.

Tom and the boys (Franl, Tanner and Dexter)

[Owen's Mom]

It's also the high amount of fiber that helps when a dog is either constipated or has diarreah. I'd use it more in cases like that than for filler... and again, NOT pumkin pie mix, just PLAIN canned pumkin, nothing added to it.

[Meemoo]

who have used pumpkin for diarrhea or pumpkin is that if you use TOO much it will have the opposite effect of what you want. So if your dog has constipation and you use TOO much you're gonna wind up with a dog that has diarrhea. Just a side note there..

[Mack]

When I give pumpkin, it's less than a tablespoon added to their regular food.

[Meemoo]

instead of GOOD right Mack? :D No..that's not too much..it's when you go more than that it can be a problem, IMO

[Mack]

Love that edit feature.

[Dapple Dandy]

I find that the pumpkin helps balance my dog's digestive system. Because we use it regularly I don't get much of a swing in stools. I don't feed enough to call it filler, I leave that to the green beans, just a rounded teaspoon in each dish once a day.

Pumpkin was a lifesaver when Cindy had to go on a crash diet. The low calorie foods must have a lot more fiber. Despite us gradually switching her over, she developed horrible gas pain. I had eliminated the pumpkin, thinking it added calories she just didn't need, but after a couple of miserable nights with a gassy dog in my lap, the pumpkin went back in the dish. The next morning, she was her old self.

I don't know why it works, I just know I'll never be without it.