Can too much pumpkin Constipate a cat

Can Cats Have Pumpkin? (& Is It Healthy?)

Curious cats like to try everything! But can cats eat pumpkin? If your favorite feline friend is inquisitive about your morning sprinkle of pumpkin granola on yogurt or holiday baking projects, have no fear. Pumpkin is safe for cats. But there's a little more to know about this popular squash and how it can be enjoyed safely by your pet.

Let's learn which types of pumpkin products to keep safely tucked away in your kitchen, how to offer pumpkin to your cat and how this squash might benefit their health.

Can Cats Have Pumpkin?

Those sugary slices of pumpkin pie, seasonal lattes or spiced pumpkin bars are delicious for us humans, but they aren't a good treat for cats. While cats can digest pumpkin, the excess sugars, fats, and spices found in pumpkin desserts and drinks are not healthy them.

The Pet Poison Helpline explains that if your cat gets into the container of ground cinnamon or licks at a bottle of cinnamon essential oil or extract used to flavor your pumpkin treats, they may experience any of the following:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lowered blood sugar levels
• Mouth and lung irritation
• Heart or liver issues

Nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice are no better be sure to keep these spices away from your cat as well.

Can cats eat pumpkin? Yes! The pumpkin that's safe for cats is plain, cooked pumpkin. You can find it canned, or bake a fresh squash in your oven. If you go the canned route, be sure you're not choosing pumpkin pie filling as it's often seasoned. You want plain canned pumpkin, often packed with water.

The Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Veggies are good for you and your pet! Pumpkin is filled with fiber, water, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and ample minerals and vitamins including A, C and K, according to the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota. The orange-colored squash is also low in calories.

The fiber in pumpkin can both reduce excess moisture in your pet's digestive tract and add bulk to stools, helping to remedy diarrhea. The water in pumpkin also helps to alleviate constipation. The secret: moderation and portion control. Too much pumpkin may trigger loose stools.

Feeding Your Cat a Balanced Meal Plan

If you discover your cat craves a spoonful of the colorful vegetable, just remember it's a treat, not a meal. Try freezing the squash in small ice cube trays to create a frosty occasional snack. Or, add a dollop of cooked pumpkin to the top of their kibble as a meal-time appetizer. Then, monitor your pet. If your cat is having tummy issues such as flatulence, rumbles or issues defecating, it's best to skip the pumpkin. On the other hand, if pumpkin seems to alleviate irregular bowel movements, make pumpkin part of routine feedings. Can cats have pumpkin daily? If your pet seems to benefit from it, the answer is yes!

Although they may beg for them, cats can't live on treats alone! They require the properly balanced nutrition of a high-quality cat food. A few pet foods contain pumpkin, which might mean your squash-loving cat will find them extra delicious! Ask your veterinarian if a food product containing pumpkin might be beneficial for your pet.

We all love spoiling our furry friends, but sharing a spiced or sweetened pumpkin treat isn't the best option. Instead, try a playful cat treat-toy combo, like a ball filled with crunchy morsels that fall out as your pet plays. Or, if your cat is crazy for pumpkin, make it a special indulgence during your Friday night snuggle fest. Buying a can of plain pumpkin is a great treat to share with your cat and a lovely excuse to make a pumpkin smoothie for yourself!

Contributor Bio

Angela Tague

Angela Tague is a pet mom and writer living in the Midwest. When she's not making a mess in the kitchen, exploring nature trails with her dog, or attending a yoga workshop, she's writing full-time for multiple lifestyle and technology brands. You can find her on Twitter and LinkedIn @AngelaTague.

The Pros and Cons of Feeding Pumpkin to Pets

Is pumpkin the new fad, like gluten-free, grain-free and no-go-GMO? Seems every time I turn around, a client is bringing their dog in for diarrhea, saying, We tried pumpkin, but it didnt really work. Or, Someone told me to add pumpkin to every meal, so Im doing that.

Pumpkin might be on your mind right now because its everywhere: Mounds of pumpkins on display awaiting the knife, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes even pumpkin beer!

Since you cant escape the notion of pumpkin right now, I thought Id let you know how and when to properly try a bit of pumpkin for your pets, what kind to use and what to use it for.

Pumpkin for Constipation and Diarrhea

Most people try adding pumpkin when they think their dog or cat is either constipated or having diarrhea. How can the same substance help both diarrhea and constipation? Its all about the balance of fiber found in pumpkin and how it helps digestive and GI health.

Many dog and cat lovers think a spoonful of pumpkin is a GI cure-all, but give too much or continue to feed pumpkin when it isnt helping the problem, and you can make the problem worse and delay recovery. If you try pumpkin for a GI malady and it isnt resolving the problem in 24 hours, seek the help of your veterinarian.

The fiber in pumpkin is purported to help regulate bowel movements, but fiber is complicated and not a 1-size-fits-all kind of remedy.

Pumpkin and the Fiber Puzzle

Pumpkin, like many other foods, fruits and vegetables, contains fiber. There is soluble fiber and insoluble fiber, pumpkin having a small amount of both.

Soluble fiber can act like a sponge when theres excess water in the GI tract (diarrhea). Insoluble fiber does sort of the opposite, drawing water into the GI tract when the stool is dry and hard (constipation) to make a bulkier, softer stool that can pass. An oversimplification is this: Soluble fiber slows down the GI tract (less diarrhea), while insoluble fiber quickens the movement of poop through the bowel, hopefully preventing or relieving constipation.

The top insoluble fiber foods are wheat bran and bran cereals, beans, some grains and vegetables. Pumpkin is not high on this list. Soluble fiber is found in foods like oatmeal, apples and carrots. Again, pumpkin does not top the list.

Pumpkin is over 90% water, about 3% fiber and a source of potassium, antioxidants and other vitamins.

Get a Diagnosis

Now heres the crux of the problem: A pet with continuing diarrhea or constipation needs a diagnosis, not endless spoonfuls of pumpkin or other supplements. Once we diagnose the GI problem, we can recommend the right diet and other medications as necessary.

If your pet has loose stool or you think they are constipated, try adding pumpkin to the diet for 2436 hours, as long as your pet remains very perky. If the abnormal bowel movements are not getting better or if your pet is acting ill, get to the vet.

Pumpkin Feeding Guidelines

Some people feed pumpkin as an additive to keep their pet regular, and many cats and dogs seem to like it. This is fine, as long as the stools remain normal. Here are the basic guidelines:

• Feed canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
• You can use cooked, fresh pumpkin, but it is not necessary. Canned pumpkin is fine.
• Making pumpkin ice cubes is a nice way to keep it fresh.
• Dosing is empirical. There is no set dose; dosing depends on the severity of the problem.
• Cats, for constipation: 1 tablespoon per can of food.
• Cats, particularly geriatric cats, can suffer from severe constipation. These kitties usually need more than pumpkin to keep them regular, but many cats like pumpkin. It can also help as an additive on a daily basis.
• Cats, for diarrhea or inflammatory bowel: 1 teaspoon per can of food.
• Dogs, 1 tablespoon/meal for large dog; 12 teaspoons for small to medium dogs.

Again, moderate to severe GI cases require a combination of diet, supplements and medications.

Pumpkin is more commonly used for dogs for mild diarrhea. Constipation is not a common problem in dogs. If pumpkin is to be used to create a softer, looser stool, such as in the case of a fractured pelvis or after certain surgeries, more pumpkin is usually needed, up to 4 tablespoons per large dog per meal.

My take? Pumpkin is a safe and palatable aid for digestive and GI health, but its too benign to be a true cure for sick animals. Many GI diseases require specific fiber requirements, and pumpkin is not a great source of fiber for these cases. Im sorry to say that too many people keep trying pumpkin when it is doing nothing more than turning their poochs poop orange.

When in doubt, call your vet. Explain how long your pet has been experiencing abnormal bowel movements, and get some solid advice.

This pet health content was written by a veterinarian, Dr. Debora Lichtenberg, VMD. It was last reviewed Aug. 11, 2023.

How much pumpkin to give my cat for constipation?

Constipation is, unfortunately, a common problem for cats. Your feline friend cant tell you when something is wrong, so its important to keep a close eye on them. This includes their intake of food and their output of poop. If your cat is experiencing constipation, pumpkin can help get things moving again.

How much pumpkin to give my cat for constipation?

Pumpkin can help relieve constipation. Its also healthy for your cat, which makes it a great natural choice. Before we get into how to treat constipation with pumpkin, lets look at how to know your cat is constipated in the first place.

Signs of Constipation

Your cat cant tell you they are constipated, but the symptoms are easy to spot if you know what to look for. The downside is, youll need to inspect their litter box.

Your cat may be constipated if their poop is dryand hard. You may also notice that they are visiting the litter box more often, but are not able to poop.If they show signs of pain when pooping, like meowing or yowling, this is also a sign of constipation.

Your cats stomach may appear swollen and hard if they are constipated. This is because the poop cant go out properly, so it takes up space in your kittys body.

Cat constipation can turn into a serious issue if it isnt treated. Poop can build up in the intestine, creating a blockage. Thats why, in addition to your cats comfort, its important to treat constipation for health reasons.

How Much Pumpkin to Give My Cat?

Pumpkin is good for cats, but too much of a good thing isnt a good idea. If you have an adult cat, youll need to give your cat 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of pumpkin a day. Kittens should have no more than 1/2 a teaspoon of pumpkin per day.

If your cats bowel movements arent normal within 24 to 48 hours, you can increase the amount of pumpkin. Give them 1 teaspoon of pumpkin twice a day. If necessary, you can double this to two teaspoons twice a day.

Your cat isnt likely to suffer any serious health effects if you overdo their pumpkin intake. However, too much can cause diarrhea. Its best to start with one teaspoon a day and work your way up to 4 teaspoons per day if needed to avoid diarrhea.

Another method is to replace 20% of your cats current food with pumpkin. This will provide them with needed nutrition with less calories than their regular food. This may be especially beneficial for overweight cats, or those with skin or coat issues.

What Should IDo If My Cat Eats too Much Pumpkin?

Your cat has had too much pumpkin if their stools become very loose. If they are a pudding-like consistency, theyve had too much. Orange stool is another sign you should cut back on your cats pumpkin intake.

If your cat shows these signs, skip their next serving of pumpkin. From there, its wise to cut the amount of pumpkin you are giving them in half. If you are feeding them pumpkin for constipation, you can discontinue the pumpkin once they are no longer constipated.

However, you can also choose to continue giving them pumpkin. It can help keep them regular, and it has lots of other benefits as well.

What type of pumpkin to give my cat?

So pumpkin can ease your cats diarrhea, but what kind do you give them?

Canned Pumpkin

Canned pumpkin is easy to give your cat, and gives all the benefits they need. Be sure to get 100% pure canned pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling has added sugar and spices, which are unhealthy and potentially even poisonous to your cat.

Fresh Pumpkin

If you want to serve your cat fresh pumpkin, youll need to prepare it yourself. Cut and remove the seeds from the pumpkin. Cut it into slices. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until its soft.

Once its cooled, you can serve it to your cat. Store the unused portion in the fridge for a few days. If you want to keep it for future use, you can freeze pumpkin cooked or raw.

Just freeze what you dont plan to feed your cat within the next few days. When you want to serve it, get a portion from the freezer and allow it to thaw. It should thaw on the counter within a few hours. You can also thaw it by placing it in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

This is a simple way to keep fresh pumpkin to serve your cat, without a lot of prep work each time.

Pumpkin Puree

You can also make your own pumpkin puree. To make puree, youll need to bake the pumpkin first. Once its baked, remove the skin from the pumpkin. You can then use a food processor, blender, or potato masher to create a puree. Add a few tablespoons of water at a time, until you get the desired consistency.

Just like fresh pumpkin, the puree can be stored in the fridge or frozen until you are ready to use it. The best way to freeze pumpkin puree is to use an ice tray.

Fill the tray with puree. Once its frozen, youll have cube shaped frozen puree. You can then serve them one cube at a time.

Pumpkin Seeds

Your cat can also eat pumpkin seeds. You can prepare them by roasting them in the oven for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Your cat can also eat the raw seeds. However, if you plan to store them, roasted seeds have a much longer shelf life than fresh seeds.

Is pumpkin good for cats?

Pumpkin is very good for cats. Its full of fiber and vitamins and minerals your cat needs to be healthy.

Fiber

The fiber in pumpkin is what makes it a great constipation remedy. Its also good for overall digestion. It can even help obese cats on a diet feel full.

Fiber helps absorb stomach acid, which can ease tummy problems, including diarrhea.It also helps move hairballs through your cats digestive tract.

Vitamins

Pumpkin is rich in vitamins, particularly A,C, and E. Vitamin A is essential for eye health. Vitamin C helps the immune system function properly. Vitamin E helps keep their skin and coat healthy, and speeds wound healing.

Cats on a well balanced diet should get enough of these vitamins through their regular food. However, the extra vitamins found in pumpkin can still be beneficial.

Zinc and Cucurbitacin

Zinc is another benefit of adding pumpkin to your cats diet. Its beneficial for the immune system. It also contributes to healthy skin and coat.

Cucurbitacin is a biochemical compound that is believed to be antiparasitic. If your cat is receiving parasite preventatives, they should prevent them from picking up parasites. However, pumpkin wont hurt as a second line of defense.

How to get my cat to eat pumpkin?

Youve decided that pumpkin would be good for your cat, and you want to incorporate it into their diet. Now the question is, how do you get your cat to eat it?

Add It to Their Food

Canned or pureed pumpkin can be added to your cats wet or dry food. You can mix it into their food or simply place it on top. Most cats enjoy the taste of pumpkin. In fact, pumpkin can even entice your kitty to eat their food.

Fresh Pumpkin

Fresh baked pumpkin makes an easy snack or treat. Simply give them one to two pieces of baked pumpkin, once or twice a day. It may become your cats favorite snack.

Frozen Pumpkin

If your cat loves cold treats on hot days, frozen pumpkin will do the trick. Freeze pumpkin puree in an ice tray. This gives you perfect individual serving size cubes. Give your cat a frozen cube as a treat.

You can also freeze fresh baked pumpkin. Give your cat a frozen piece and let them enjoy the cool feeling.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds provide the same benefits as the flesh of the pumpkin. If you want to roast the seeds, youll need to allow them to cool before serving. Fresh or roasted seeds can be added to your cats regular food.

You can also feed them to your cat individually as a crunchy treat.

Lastly, you can crush the roasted seeds with a coffee grinder or food processor. You can then add the powder to your cats regular food.