Know More About Dog Diarrhea Pumpkin
You may not know that dog diarrhea pumpkin is a commonly searched term online. However, diarrhea is one of the most common health problems in dogs. It is one of the first symptoms that show up for all kinds of infections or diseases.
A mild form of diarrhea caused by the wrong diet or an upset stomach can be resolved at home. However, if diarrhea is caused due to parasites or other diseases, then contacting a veterinarian is the first step.
Apart from medications, diarrhea can be tackled using some of the common vegetables in your kitchen. You must have heard the three words dog diarrhea pumpkin in conversations with fellow pet parents or maybe you’ve seen it searched online as I mentioned before but clearly it is a familiar problem that other pet owners have experienced as well.
But before you try this method, there are other things you should know regarding dog diarrhea pumpkin. You may even have multiple questions popping in your head so I’d like to provide some additional insights for you to deeper your understanding behind this common topic.
Does pumpkin help dogs with diarrhea?
Pumpkin is a fiber-rich food loaded with essential minerals and vitamins. It can do wonders when added to your dog's daily diet. Some of the reasons why it's a superfood for dogs are:
Good source of essential vitamins
Pumpkin is a rich source of Vitamin A that is crucial for brain and eye development. It comes packed with other vitamins such as Vitamin C and E that helps in maintaining your dog's immune health.
Vitamin E is also a great antioxidant that aids in keeping your dog's internal organs healthy. It removes free radicals from the body that may lead to abnormal cell growth.
Rich source of potassium
Potassium plays a major role in keeping your dog's muscles healthy. A dog suffering from diarrhea may experience excessive loss of potassium from the body. This may lead to a severe medical condition called hypokalemia.
With the loss of potassium, your dog may experience fatigue, weakness, cramping, or even death. Therefore, feeding even a cup of pumpkin will help in overcoming these symptoms.
Dietary Fiber
Since pumpkin is a fiber-rich food, it can ease the digestion of your dog in many ways. The fiber content absorbs water from your dog's gastrointestinal tract and causes the stool to harden. It also produces essential fatty acids that give energy to the cells.
The fiber in pumpkin also lowers the pH of the intestines and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, and supports the growth of beneficial bacteria. In short, fiber acts as a prebiotic in dogs.
Keeps the body hydrated
Diarrhea in dogs can make them dehydrated very quickly. It is important to keep your dog hydrated always. Since pumpkin has high water content, it supports maintaining your dog's hydration level.
Your dog may not like to drink plenty of water, but eating pumpkin daily in small amounts will help.
How fast does pumpkin work for dog diarrhea?
Since pumpkin is rich in fiber, your dogs' body will readily absorb all the nutrients quickly. You should be able to see the results in just a few hours. Your dog's bowel movements may improve in 4-6 hours.
This will also depend on the quantity of pumpkin you give your dog, which brings us to the next question.
How much pumpkin to give a dog with diarrhea?
According to the AKC, you can begin by giving 1-4 tablespoons of pumpkins in your dog's meal to resolve diarrhea. The amount needs to be controlled as too much pumpkin can also cause diarrhea.
It is always recommended to start with small quantities and gradually increase the dosage.
How to determine pumpkin for dog diarrhea dosage?
Before you decide on the dosage about dog diarrhea pumpkin, consider the following aspects first:
- Weight
- Age
- Breed
- Size
If you have large breed dogs, then you can probably start from 3-4 tablespoons per meal. However, in the case of small breed, do not exceed 2 tablespoons. There is no right answer to how much pumpkin for dog diarrhea. But, you need to start from the minimum.
What kind of pumpkin should you give?
The first choice of pumpkin to give your dog should be plain canned pumpkin.
Most pet parents ask does canned pumpkin help dogs with diarrhea? The answer is definitely a yes.
Canned pumpkin for dog diarrhea has proven to be better than fresh pumpkin. That is because canned pumpkins have a higher concentration of nutrients and fiber.
Fresh pumpkins have higher water content and fewer nutrients as opposed to canned pumpkins.
Don't forget to check the content of the canned pumpkin before you buy. Some may come with added sugar, salt, and spices that may be harmful to your dog's stomach.
Using pumpkin puree for dog diarrhea is the easiest way to feed your dog.
Can pumpkin cause diarrhea in dogs?
It’s probably safe to say yes to this one. Every dog is different and reactions can differ from pet to pet as you can imagine.
However, that doesn’t lessen the reality that pumpkin is still widely given to their dog(s) when the pet is either constipated or has diarrhea. That is because of the fiber content in pumpkin. The insoluble fiber in pumpkin helps in diarrhea, while soluble fiber regulates bowel movement and aids in constipation.
Nevertheless, it all boils down to how much pumpkin you are giving your dogs.
As mentioned above, if the quantity of pumpkin is controlled, there is no issue in trying out dog diarrhea pumpkin.
Can I give all the parts of a pumpkin to my dog?
No, you can’t. That’s a bad idea. Not all parts of a pumpkin are good for your pooch. If you are using fresh pumpkin, then steer clear of the following parts:
- The center of the pumpkin has a stringy and gooey part which should be avoided.
- The pumpkin stem and skin may also upset your dog's stomach; hence you should avoid that.
Also, don't give a pumpkin that has been left in the kitchen for a long time. It may harbor harmful bacteria or molds. Always buy a fresh pumpkin. Fresh is always the way to go.
The combination of pumpkin and dogs diarrhea has always acted as a quick home remedy in dealing with diarrhea in dogs.
However, keep in mind that uncontrolled amounts of pumpkin may have side effects on your dogs and upset the stomach so exercise with awareness as the frequency that you are giving this to your beloved pet at home.