Pumpkin is super healthy for dogs. Some dogs love it and some dogs don’t. It’s very nutritious and can help with a variety of ailments, particularly digestive upsets which is why it’s worthwhile to sneak some pumpkin into your dog’s diet.

Adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet will fulfill their requirements of essential vitamins and nutrients. It is high in fiber-rich vitamins A, E, and C, as well as potassium and iron.

Can I give my dog pumpkin every day?

Well, there are many ways to feed your dog pumpkin. We have experimented and have come up with some simple ways to introduce pumpkin into your dog’s diet. 

Note: Consult your veterinarian whenever you introduce new food or ingredient in your dog’s diet

Let’s dive into them;

1.   Feed a Pumpkin Dog Food 

Even the pickiest eaters love the air dried food from Front of the Pack. It's super nutritious and has pumpkin baked right in. At the time of this writing, they are offering a free trial of their food.

2.   Use A Pumpkin Supplement

We love this one by WOOOF because it's a supplement and a topper all in one. In fact, it's more of a saucy supplement so it evenly coats all of the food and make it really yummy. Think Thanksgiving Dinner in a bottle with ingredients like pumpkin (1st on the list), cranberry and turkey. Also has glucosamine, organic apple vinegar, cider, zinc, biotin and and a ton of vitamins.

3.   Make a Pumpkin Puree Recipe For Dogs

Pumpkin puree is the best add-on to your dogs’ food. Regardless of whether your dog has a liking for any one food type (wet or dry food), adding pumpkin puree will make their meal yummier and more healthy.

How much pumpkin puree should you give your dog? 

So, based on the size of your dog, 1-2 tablespoons should be enough for your fur babies. Some dogs want to lick it right off the spoon, while others prefer to combine it into their meal.

Canned pumpkin is good as long as it is natural and contains no sweeteners. However, we suggest making pumpkin puree at home. Generally, small pumpkins are advisable to use for making puree. 

Here is the recipe for making homemade pumpkin puree for your pooch.

PUMPKIN PUREE RECIPE

Recipe By : dogtipper.com

Ingredients

• 1 ripe, medium-size pumpkin
• 1 baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Before you begin, you must remove the pumpkin's top. It requires more strength to cut off its crown. 

Directions

• Clean the pumpkin.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Using a knife, cut the pumpkin into quarters. 
• Make smaller pieces out of the quarters.
• Remove the seeds with a spoon. Keep the seeds for washing and roasting. 
• Put the pumpkin slices on a baking sheet that has been adjoined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 45 minutes. 
• Remove from the oven and let it cool down. 
• Now, peel off the outer skin and cut the baked pumpkin into small chunks. 
• Blend those chunks in a blender, gradually adding water to make a thick puree.
• You can keep it in the freezer for some days. 

This pumpkin puree can be used as an ingredient in many dog treats and dog cakes recipes for your pooch.

4.  Pumpkin Ice-cream For Dogs

Pumpkin dog ice cream is another way to spoil your pup with a deliciously healthy treat. It can become your go-to recipe that refreshes your pup’s mood and can be a change from their regular meal. Here are two quick pumpkin dog ice cream recipes for your canine companion.

A.   Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Ice Cream

Recipe By: fakeginger.com

Ingredients

• ½  cup pumpkin puree
• 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter (Xylitol-free)
• 2 tbsp honey
• ½ cup of plain unsweetened yogurt 

Directions

• Whisk together pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and honey in a mixing bowl until smooth.
• Bend in the yogurt with a rubber spatula.
• Distribute the mixture among freezer-safe containers or ice trays.
• Freeze it for around 2 hours before serving.

B.  Frozen Pumpkin Pupsicle

This recipe iseasy-peasy to make and requires only 2 ingredients. 

Recipe By: www.akc.org

Ingredients

• 1 cup of plain unsweetened yogurt
• 1 cup of pumpkin puree

Directions

• In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin and yogurt.
• Fill ice cream trays or molds with the mixture.
• Freeze for at least 24 hours.
• Then take it out for your pups 

Let your pup enjoy the hot summers with these chilled ice creams.

C.  Buy It Ready Made

5.   Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin cookies are a good addition to your dog treats list. Here’s how you make them.

Recipe By: www.akc.org

Ingredients

• 3 cups of whole wheat flour (extra for dusting counter)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of pumpkin puree
• 1 mashed banana

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Combine the eggs, mashed banana, and pumpkin puree. Mix in the flour until it is completely blended.
• Flour the counter and a rolling pin gently, then roll out dough to about normal thickness and cut out cookies with cookie cutters.
• Place on a baking pan and bake for about 20 minutes. Allow cooling entirely before offering it to your dog!

6.   Pumpkin Dinner Toppers

Pumpkin dinner toppers are an easy and prompt way to serve your pup with a regular dinner. You can buy them ready made or make yourself.

This one is made from all-natural pumpkins grown and harvested in North America!  It has a fresh, sweet, pumpkin taste. Order it !

Or if you'd like to make a topper yourself:

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp of pumpkin puree
• 1 tbsp of plain unsweetened yogurt
• 1 cup of low-sodium beef/chicken broth (As per your pup’s preference)
• 1 tbsp of white rice or brown rice

Directions

• In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, yogurt, and beef/ chicken broth.
• Now, add rice. Mix all the ingredients well if necessary add water. 
• Refrigerate the mixture for at least 2-3 hours or till mealtime. 
• Remove it from the freezer and let it cool down to room temperature or you can warm it slightly. 
• Pour a spoonful over your dogs' routine dinner to spice it up a little bit! 

7.   Pumpkin  Puppuccino

Pumpkin Puppuccino sounds unusual, right! Well, we have prepared this delicious and creamy pumpkin puppuccino recipe as a tasty treat for your pup. 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 1 cup of warm water
• 1 tbsp of plain unsweetened yogurt
• Cinnamon powder for topping

Directions

• Mix pumpkin puree, warm water, and yogurt in a bowl.
• Serve with dusting cinnamon powder on the top.
• Now, the pumpkin latte is ready for your pooch. 

8.   Pumpkin Dog Cakes

Photo by: Better With Butter

Pumpkin dog cakes are simple and easy to make. We have already mentioned the list of best pumpkin dog cakes recipes. You can check out this recipe blog, it will help you to make mouth-watering pumpkin cakes for your doggie birthday. 

We have shared 6 different ways to serve your pup with this nutrition-rich ingredient. However, you can even check out our bakery’s pumpkin products such as pumpkin dog chews.

Rocky Kanaka

Rocky Kanaka is an entrepreneur, pet rescue advocate and dog dad to a rescue boxer named Flip, a blind Cane Corso called Kobe, and a terrier mix named Zoey. He's also a pet chef and owner of The Dog Bakery, which specializes in dog birthday cakes and fresh baked dog treats. His three dogs can't get enough of the dog cakes and treats!

Lorna Ladd

Lorna Paxton Ladd is a passionate dog lover and enthusiast of The Dog Bakery. She loves spoiling her 3 rescue dogs with dog cakes and jerky. A 15 year veteran in the pet industry, her aim is to educate pet parents on the best recipes, products, tips and tricks to optimize the human/canine bond. Her favorite product at The Dog Bakery are the customizable dog birthday cakes.