When we think of Autumn, we often think of falling leaves, cosy evenings under a blanket with the candles lit and not forgetting the infamous pumpkin spice latte. It also marks the beginning of events in people’s social calendars, such as Halloween.
With pumpkin carving a staple tradition in many households and the rise in popularity of ornamental squashes, what risk, if any, do these pose to our pets? Here at The Insurance Emporium, we’ll give you the scoop on whether or not cats and dogs can eat pumpkin.
IS PUMPKIN GOOD FOR CATS AND DOGS?
Pumpkin is a naturally low-calorie food which is packed with vitamins A, C, and E as well as other nutrients. It’s also fibre-rich making it a good option for combatting problems such as diarrhoea and constipation.
It could be a good addition to your pet’s diet to help with weight management; it’s low in calories and its high fibre and water content help your pet feel full. It can easily be added to homemade treats.
Remember, adding foods such as pumpkin to your pet’s diet should be done in moderation as too much could cause your pet to have an upset stomach. Your pet’s regular food should remain their main source of nutrients, in addition to water to keep them hydrated.
CAN CATS AND DOGS EAT PUMPKIN SAFELY?
Before introducing pumpkin to your pet’s diet, it’s important to know that not all parts of a pumpkin are safe for them to consume.
Whilst pumpkin is not poisonous to dogs or cats, the hard rind on the outside of a pumpkin isn’t digestible to your fur babies and could pose a choking hazard. When carving pumpkins try to avoid your furry friends getting their paws on any cut off pieces.
Also, the stem and leaves of a pumpkin are covered in prickly hairs that could be harmful, while the seeds are another potential choking hazard to smaller cats and dogs.
If you’re planning on carving pumpkins why not take the opportunity to roast or steam the carved out pumpkin flesh to make your own puree? The washed seeds could also be roasted and then ground down to use as a topping on your pet’s regular food.
Alternatively, you could buy canned pumpkin puree to add to your pet’s food or to make homemade treats. Just be sure to check that it’s the plain unsweetened version, as some varieties may contain added sugar or spices; Xylitol in particular is toxic to dogs, while allspice and clove are toxic to cats.
Finally, don’t forget to keep any candle lit pumpkins out of reach of your pets as they could inadvertently burn themselves if they try to eat it. After the main event, dispose of your carved pumpkin(s) as soon as possible as they begin to rot fairly quickly which could attract pests or even cause your furry companions to become poorly if they accidentally ingest any.
WHY HALLOWEEN CAN BE STRESSFUL FOR YOUR PETS
While Halloween marks the beginning of the seasonal social calendar it’s worth remembering that a change of routine and an increase in social engagements could cause unwanted stress to our furry friends.
Unfortunately, our pets don’t know what Halloween is, even if you do decide to dress up your pet for the occasion, therefore the costumes and constant coming and going of children trick-or-treating may be overwhelming for your pet, causing them to bark or feel anxious.
To help, here’s some tips to keep your pets calm and safe during Halloween:
- Keep your routine as normal as possible and turn on the TV, radio or play music to drown out any unusual noises
- Take your dog for a daytime walk to avoid bumping into overexcited children in the evening
- Feed your pet before any potential disturbances makes them too nervous to eat
- Keep your pets safe and secure in a room if you’re going to answer the door to trick or treaters to prevent them running off
- Beware of the treats! Whether you’ve bought them to give to children or you’ve got a haul from trick-or-treating, ensure these are kept out of sight and reach of your pets to avoid them getting poisoned and/or choking on them
In addition to these tips, why not take a look at our guide on keeping pets calm during fireworks with Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve just around the corner too!
WHAT FOODS SHOULD YOUR PETS AVOID?
Although pumpkin is a safe food for your pet, other seasonal foods, especially those saved for the festive season, start to creep into many households as we move through the Autumn and Winter months. Therefore, it’s important to remain mindful that many of these Christmas foods are hazards for pets, such as mince pies, Christmas cake, chocolate, and roast dinners with all the trimmings. Should the worst happen, and these become ingested it could result in an unwanted and potentially expensive trip to the vet.
We all love to involve our pets in these special occasions, after all – they are an extension of the family. However, sometimes accidents and illnesses, among other things, can happen. If you’ve not already considered pet insurance, take a look at our range of policies for Cat, Senior Cat, Dog and Senior Dog.
Our insurance products can be tailored to your individual needs and budget because we know one size doesn’t fit all. Call us today for a free, no-strings quote and we’ll make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew.
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