Pumpkin – it might be a doggie superfood. Ok, that might be overstating it, but if your dog has ever had the runs uncontrollably (especially indoors), an immediate solution is golden. Or at least orange.

Pumpkin is a safe fruit to give dogs and is suggested to benefit digestion. Its high soluble fibre means that it helps both diarrhea and constipation. So, you don’t have to remember what to give – if your dog isn’t pooping right either way, pumpkin can help.

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But only real pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filler that contains sugar, nutmeg, which should not be fed to dogs), and only if your dog will eat it. That last one is a challenge for me. Getting my dog to eat pumpkin, especially at exactly the right time, is the mark I don’t always hit. She doesn’t really like pumpkin and must be encouraged (or fooled) into eating it. And that means looking for new ways to sneak it into her. So, I went on a quest for pumpkin dog products. My dog tried all the following products.

First, pumpkin in moderation for your dog (and you, FYI), is often a good thing. Here are some health advantages of pumpkin:

• Pumpkin contains vitamins A, C, and E—important for immune health, skin, and coat.
• Pumpkin contains potassium, which supports muscle function and vitality.
• Pumpkin increases moisture in your dog’s diet, especially when mixed with regular meals.
• Pumpkin is high soluble fiber content helps regulate your dog’s digestive system.
• Pumpkin is also low in calories and helps dogs feel full, helping with weight management.

Second, some pumpkin products for dogs I discovered are best for occasional digestive emergencies, while others are simply an easy way to include pumpkin in a dog’s regular diet. Note, however, pumpkin is not a cure for ongoing issues, and it’s challenging to regulate dosage.

Pumpkin Topper

Our first attempt at introducing some pumpkin in the diet temporarily was with a topper. Specifically, I occasionally give my dog Weruva Pumpkin Patch Up – purely pumpkin puree, with a little water for processing. This is essentially nothing but pumpkin, portioned for both dogs and cats (if they’d eat it).

Pumpkin Patch Up comes in a pouch, and I usually give it all in one meal or divide it between two meals in one day. Generally, this does the trick, but my dog won’t eat it unless it’s combined with other wet dog food – and very often some ‘high value’ treats like dehydrated chicken or beef lung.

Best for: Dogs with sudden digestive upset that need plain pumpkin.

Pumpkin Pet Food

We met N&D brand of pet food and treats (part of Farmina Pet Foods) at several pet events in Canada, including Pet Connect, which is how I was introduced to this quality Italian pet food producer. First, I tried the N&D wet dog food with pumpkin, lamb, and blueberries. This was one wet food she ate willingly (she’s actually a picky eater), even though pumpkin was a primary flavour.

 Pumpkin is not my dog’s favourite flavour. In fact, my dog isn’t a fan of fruits or vegetables at all, so the addition of lamb likely contributed to her willingness to eat it. After consuming two cans for two days, her stools returned to normal. Lamb, herring, and pumpkin are the first three ingredients listed.

Best for: Dogs who refuse plain pumpkin but enjoy canned food.

Pumpkin Chews for Dogs

Also from the N&D brand: pumpkin chews. While the company doesn’t specialize in pumpkin, it has a few options, which my dog also eats. I’m not sure if chews will impact her digestion as well as food or toppers do, but she did like these. Formulated in Italy with chicken, pumpkin, and pomegranate, N&D calls these dental treats, and they are designed for dental health. My dog ate two in a row enthusiastically, but she also loves chicken. It’s one way to get some pumpkin into her.

Best for: Adding small amounts of pumpkin as part of a regular diet—not emergency digestive care.

Pumpkin Cookies for Dogs

Mega Bones from Darford, based in British Columbia, Canada, are one of my travelling favourites. These thick baked dog cookies are individually packaged, so they are half chew, half treat. Chew because they take a while to get through – Junior size is plenty big for my spaniel – and treat because they are a cookie consistency. Also, they are thick, so they don’t break easily when packed.

Mega Bones come in several flavours, including pumpkin. I don’t know if there’s enough pumpkin in the cookie to make a difference in the dog’s digestion, however. My dog likes these (bacon flavoured is her preference), though she often takes a while to eat them. The last Mega Bone she carried around for two days, room to room, before she finally decided to crunch down on it.

Best for: Treat time—not necessarily treating diarrhea.

Overall…

Ultimately, I found the pure pumpkin puree was what my dog needed when she had digestive issues, especially runs. However, I needed to fool her into eating it immediately by adding other flavours for it to work.

Feeding her N&D food a few days in a row helped prevent issues, but this brand is imported and pricey, so feeding it every day isn’t an option for everyone, including me. Fortunately, getting the occasional chew into her is good for her teeth too, but isn’t the solution if digestive issues need to be addressed immediately.

Final note: Pumpkin can help mild digestive upset, but it’s not a cure-all. If your dog has severe diarrhea, repeated vomiting, blood in the stool, appears lethargic, refuses water, or the digestive upset lasts more than a day or two, it’s time to call your veterinarian. Puppies and senior dogs can become dehydrated quickly. Ultimately, pumpkin can help in mild situations, but it is not a cure-all for ongoing health issues.

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria.Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!