Last updated on March 23rd, 2023 at 05:35 am

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds, Or Is It Better To Avoid Them?

Dogs can eat pumpkin seeds and get numerous health benefits from nutrients such as vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, fiber, zinc, and almost every element required for their healthy growth. Similarly, these seeds strengthen their body and immunity to fight against deadly diseases.

Therefore, whether it is your pups’ heart or overall health, you must be worried about it and find natural ways to keep him fit. Here is everything about pumpkin seeds’ benefits and the best way to prepare and store them for later use. So, you should not waste a minute and know their advantages from the start!

What are Pumpkin Seeds?

Pumpkin seeds are the edible seeds found in pumpkins that are flat, dark green, and sometimes encased in a whitish husk. These seeds are soft and have a sweet, nutty flavor.

If you cut a pumpkin at home and take its seeds, you will see these are hard-shelled or contained in the husk, but on the other hand, store-bought pumpkin seeds are shell-free oval and flat.

Although pumpkins have been grown and eaten for ages now, they are immensely popular among dog parents for their vital nutrients, and they offer to the dogs as snacks.

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?

Pumpkin seeds for dogs are absolutely safe, and they can enjoy in their homemade food plan. Similarly, pumpkin seeds are also referred to as ‘Super food’ because they contain many beneficial nutrients. They contain good amounts of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that promote health and help to get rid of many problems.

Nutritional Profile of Pumpkin Seeds

• Calories
• Fiber
• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Fats
• Vitamins
• Phosphorus
• Iron
• Zinc
• Copper
• Manganese
• Magnesium

So, these nutrients make pumpkin seeds superior and aid in many good aspects. You can take an overview of pumpkin seeds’ positive effects for dogs such as:

• Prevent cancers
• Improve heart diseases
• Lower blood sugar level
• Improve sleep
• Reduce infections

Are Pumpkin Seeds Good for Dogs?

Yes, pumpkin seeds are good for dogs and do not cause harm if used correctly. Many health reports favor pumpkin seeds to be used for healthy dog life.

Above all, veterinarians also highly recommend these seeds for a dog’s meal. You can either give your pup pumpkin seeds as snacks or add seed powder to their food.

Here are some convincing health benefits of pumpkin seeds for dogs:

Improve Urinary Health of Dogs

If your dog has typically urinary tract infections or other issues with the bladder, pumpkin seeds are best for him. These seeds are amazingly beneficial for urinary health because of antioxidants and fatty acids. Similarly, their ample amount also helps to prevent urinary tract problems and keep your dog fit.

 At the same time, older dogs have an overactive bladder that causes frequent and sudden urge to urinate that may be difficult to control. Your pup feels like he needs to pass urine many times during the day and night and remains upset. So, if you want to solve his problem organically, you must add pumpkin seeds to his diet.

Above all, pumpkin seeds are also good at dislodging kidney stones and preventing major kidney problems.

Natural Solution to Parasites or Worms

It is common for dogs to have parasites or worms in their intestine, but if not cured, they can worsen and badly damage your dog. Thus, pumpkin seeds also act as a deworming agent against worms like roundworms or tapeworms.

Cucurbitacin is the main constituent of these seeds that make them effective against worms and help dogs to get rid of worm sickness. The cucurbitacin works on intestinal worms and paralyzes them. The paralyzed worms cannot reproduce or grow and, as a result, are expelled from the body. Hence, if your lovely pup also shows lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or if you have visual evidence of tapeworm, you must give him the pumpkin seeds and get the benefit of their deworming power.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Pumpkin seeds are exceptionally well to reduce inflammation in the body of dogs. They contain antioxidants like carotenoids and Vitamin E. These antioxidants protect the pup’s body cells and protect against many diseases.

On the contrary, if you cannot give your lovely pet a good amount of pumpkin seeds or if he does not like to eat, you can also get the benefit of pumpkin seed oil. It also does wonder to reduce inflammation and arthritis without side effects.

Benefits for Prostate Gland

The prostate gland is a small gland near the urinary bladder of male dogs and is essential for reproductive functions. Sometimes, older dogs or even young dogs of 9 years have prostate gland enlargement issues.

Pumpkin glands are pretty good to regulate this condition and prevent from discomfort. Zinc is critical to the normal prostate, and many prostate issues arise in the absence or reduction of this element. But luckily, pumpkin seeds are a good source of Zinc and, therefore, can solve dogs’ prostate problems.

Source of Good Fats

Pumpkins are rich in good fats that dog’ body needs to survive without harmful effects. Good fats include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, and you will be amazed to know that pumpkin seeds have both these types of fats that are good for dogs in many ways.

Similarly, your dog also gets a good amount of omega 3 fatty acids their body cannot make and must be consumed in the diet.

Promote Cardiovascular Health

If your furry baby has cardiovascular disease or a history of heart problems, you must give him pumpkin seeds to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol that are the leading causes of heart attacks.

In addition to pumpkin seeds, pumpkin oil is equally good to improve your dog’s cardiovascular health. So, you cannot find any cost-effective and natural remedy to prevent your dog’s heart problems.

Help Proper Body Functioning

When you think about ideal body functioning, you mean muscles, brain, immunity, bones, teeth, and overall safety from deadly diseases. Surprisingly, pumpkin seeds are all-rounder for your dogs to help proper body functions.

Potassium is good for muscle support; zinc gives immunity, brain activity and regulates body secretions. Similarly, calcium makes bones and teeth strong and helps to fight cancers. So, on the whole, pumpkin seeds are a complete package to give everything your dog needs to stay fit and healthy.

How to Feed Your Dog Pumpkin Seeds?

There is no rocket science to prepare pumpkin seeds, and you can do it at your place with no effort. Although you can also find ready-to-serve seeds from stores, you should not waste pumpkin seeds in your refrigerator.

So, follow these steps, and you will be done in no time:

• Scoop the seeds from a pumpkin and remove their husk. You should also wipe to remove any excess pulp and ensure you have only the seeds, not the pulp.

• Now spread them on a sheet or any dry surface to let them moisture-free.

• After that, take a baking tray and let them flat on it. Place the tray in a cool oven at 160 to 175oF for up to 20 minutes.

• Don’t let them in the oven for longer as they need to be roasted, not cooked. After the specified time, you can take them out and cool to offer your dog. You can also grind these roasted pumpkin seeds and save them for later use.

Remember, you should not add salt to the seeds as excessive salt intake can make your pup sick and increase the chances of many heart diseases. So, it is better to give them plain and salt-free seeds in their diet and let them enjoy a healthy and nutritious meal.

How Much Pumpkin Seeds Should You Give Your Dog?

After getting about can dogs have pumpkin seeds, it does not mean that you start feeding only the pumpkin seeds. Moderation is the key, and you can give your dog a quarter teaspoon per ten pounds of body weight per day. Ideally, it is the best amount you should not surpass.

If you think pumpkin seeds for dogs are in large amounts, you can store them for later use.

Bear in mind these seeds can spoil and become toxic if not properly stored, and giving spoiled seeds can harm your furry friend. Therefore, completely dry the seeds and place them in an air-tight container.

Pumpkin seeds can last up to a week on the shelf or up to two months if stored I the refrigerator. You can also freeze them in freezers and store them for six months.

Similarly, if you want to keep ground pumpkin seeds for two up to two months, place the powder in a sealed package and keep it in a dry place.

Conclusion – Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seed?

With all of this being said about pumpkin seeds for dogs, it is evident that they are ideal and nutrient-rich to give all essential elements of a healthy diet. You should prepare pumpkin seeds without adding salt or oil and give your lovely pup a balanced diet.

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