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In the pumpkin spice season, treats like pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin bread dominate the storefronts. With Halloween around the corner, we want to make sure our feline friends can enjoy the holiday just as much as we do. But this season also leaves cat parents wondering: Can cats eat pumpkin?
Since cats are carnivores, it’s easy to wonder whether or not a superfood like pumpkin has a place in your cat’s diet. After all, it’s important to know what’s safe for your cat to eat and what isn’t. Believe it or not, pumpkin is a long-time home remedy for cats, which means it can be a wonderful addition to their diet. But for cats, not every form of pumpkin is safe, which we’ll explain later in this video.
As a quick disclaimer, this is general information, NOT medical advice. You should always talk to your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat’s diet. Now, onto pumpkin for cats 101!
Why Pumpkin?
Pumpkin is a superfood squash that’s loaded with antioxidants and vitamins. But where does pumpkin fit into your cat’s diet? Pumpkin actually has a wide variety of health benefits, from being a nutrient-rich and fiber-filling superfood to being able to help with gastrointestinal upset. So in other words, pumpkin packs a big nutritional punch.
According to Healthline, here are some health benefits of pumpkin:
- Rich in Vitamin A, C, and E, pumpkin yields an incredibly high antioxidant content that can protect against free radical damage.
- Rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, these nutrients can help preserve and protect eyesight.
- Nutrient rich pumpkin has a that can help heart health.
- Mildly diuretic and with a high fiber content, pumpkin can help aid weight loss and constipation with little calories.
So if your curious cat wants to join in on the festive fun, here are the dos and don’ts, as well as benefits and risks, of pumpkin for cats.
Can Cats Eat Canned Pumpkin?
Simple, plain canned pumpkin is the best way for your cat to consume this yummy squash! When it’s cooked down, pumpkin is also a wonderful option for cats, as a purée. One-hundred percent pure pumpkin without any additives or fillers is perfectly safe for your cat to consume. Whether canned or cooked, pumpkin is safe as long as there are no added ingredients. You can add it to their kibble, canned food, or by itself for a delicious treat!
Dr. Heather Meyers, a veterinarian for Carolina Pets Hospital, says a cat can be given one to four teaspoons of canned pumpkin, up to twice daily, mixed in their cat food. But since every cat’s needs are different, it’s important to first ask your veterinarian about the right serving size for your cat.
Can Cats Eat Pumpkin Pie?
Though pumpkin pie is the ultimate hallmark of autumn, it’s best if your cat skips it. Spices such as allspice, cinnamon, and clove are toxic to cats and are often added to this delicious dessert. So it is important to keep those spices away from your cat, regardless of what dish it is used in. If you have a curious cat that loves people food, maybe give them a little canned pumpkin while you have your pie. If you suspect your cat has ingested something toxic, take them to the nearest emergency 24-hour pet hospital or call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680.
Can Cats Eat Raw Pumpkin?
Raw pumpkin is incredibly hard on your cat’s gastrointestinal tract. However, when it’s cooked or canned, it yields numerous health benefits and can alleviate constipation, solidify diarrhea, and help with weight loss. For your cat to optimally digest pumpkin to reap the health benefits, it needs to be cooked down into a puree. Otherwise, it can upset your cat’s tummy. So in short, skip raw pumpkin altogether and be sure to dispose of any rinds or stems so your cat doesn’t get into it.
Can Cats Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are arguably one of the best parts of jack-o-lantern leftovers! Rest assured, pumpkin seeds are okay for your cat to eat, as long they’re plain and have no added spices. Cats can eat them raw or baked. Pumpkin seeds are full of fiber and add essential vitamins like zinc, copper, and magnesium. All you have to do is grind up the seeds and sprinkle them on top of their food or feed them whole for your cat to enjoy.
Health Benefits of Pumpkin
As long as pumpkin is cooked or served straight from the can, it yields a lot of health benefits for your cat. It’s full of beneficial antioxidants and nutrients and is an excellent option for supplementation in your cat’s diet.
Since pumpkin is full of fiber, it can leave your cat more satiated at dinner time. If your cat is struggling with their weight, this is where pumpkin puree can come in handy. High-fiber diets have long been linked to weight loss. Though it is a vegetable and doesn’t necessarily have a place in a cat’s diet, it is fine to consume alongside a high protein, carnivorous dinner. Add some to their food and watch the weight fall off! BUT, don’t forget to consult with your veterinarian first.
Pumpkin is a natural at-home treatment for cats with GI upset or constipation. A long-time veterinarian remedy for constipation, pumpkin puree can help move things along in your cat’s bowels since the high soluble fiber content moves through their GI tract. Similarly, if your cat is having diarrhea, pumpkin can help soak up excess water in the bowels and solidify your cat’s stools. Who knew that vets had this trick up their sleeve?
Pumpkin can also help clear out fur from the digestive tract and minimize hairballs. When hair gets caught in the digestive system, it can cause constipation. Adding some pumpkin to your cat’s diet is a surefire way to clear out excess hair in their system.
Pumpkin is also loaded with essential vitamins like copper, magnesium, zinc, manganese, vitamin K, phosphorus, iron, and potassium. As a true superfood, pumpkin can add a lot of nutritional value to your cat’s diet.
Specifically rich in vitamins A and C, pumpkin can help your cat’s eyesight and boost their immune system. Though cats aren’t typically vitamin A or C deficient, it can provide an added boost of vitamins! Pumpkin is also rich in zinc, an important vitamin for your cat’s skin and coat.
Risks of Consuming Pumpkin
Pumpkin is virtually a harmless additive to your cat’s diet. As long as you avoid the seasonal pumpkin sweets and stick to simple pumpkin puree, your cat can reap the benefits of this super squash!
Avoid feeding your cat too much pumpkin, as it can cause diarrhea in some cases. If this occurs, scale back the amount or forgo it until the diarrhea subsides. It is rare for your cat’s occasional consumption of pumpkin to cause diarrhea, according to PetMD.
Also avoid feeding your cat the stem, rind, or pulp of a pumpkin, since it has little to no nutritional value. Keep your cat’s pumpkin consumption solely to plain, canned, and pureed pumpkin!
Another thing to remember is that cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need to eat meat in order to survive. This is why meat should always be the leading ingredient in a cat’s diet, not pumpkin. So as mentioned earlier, be sure to follow your vet’s diet and serving size recommendations.
How to Incorporate Pumpkin Into Your Cat’s Diet
- Check out your local pet store for canned cat food containing pumpkin.
- Add plain, canned pumpkin or cooked pumpkin to your cat’s food.
- Add pumpkin seeds to their food or use them as treats.
- Serve them pumpkin puree by itself as a treat.
So, Can Cats Eat Pumpkin?
Overall, with a thumbs up from your vet, and given in a safe form, your feline friend can enjoy pumpkin as much as you! As you have probably gathered by now, adding this superfood squash to your cat’s diet can be incredibly beneficial. Stick to canned, simple pumpkin puree, cooked pumpkin, and pumpkin seeds to add festivity to your cat’s food. Just remember to save the pumpkin pie for yourself instead of Fluffy.
DISCLAIMER: The Purring Journal is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn commissions, at no cost to you, by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I only affiliate with products that I truly enjoy or find helpful, and commissions help support this blog. In addition, this article is made for entertainment purposes only. This is NOT medical advice. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. ALWAYS seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
References
https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-nutrition/what-can-cats-eat/can-cats-eat-pumpkin
https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/benefits-pumpkin-cats
https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/nutrition-feeding/can-cats-have-pumpkin
https://moderncat.com/articles/pumpkin-your-cats-digestive-cure-all/
https://www.aspca.org/news/why-cant-my-cat-be-vegan
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pumpkin#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
