Does canned pumpkin help cats with constipation
Can Cats Eat Pumpkin?
Has your kitty ever helped you make a pumpkin pie and taken a taste? Or how about sharing your pumpkin spice latte?
Pet parents often ask if its safe for their cat to eat pumpkin. Heres what you need to know about sharing this seasonal squash with your cat, from potential benefits to how to feed it safely.
Is Pumpkin Good for Cats?
Plain 100% pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) is safe for cats and can even be useful as a treatment for gastrointestinal issues. It contains several healthy ingredients, such as potassium; phosphorous; calcium; vitamins A, C, and K; and lots of fiber.
Keep in mind, however, that cats are obligate carnivores. This means that their systems are designed to process meats, so everything that isnt a meat product, such as pumpkin, should be fed sparingly.
You may sometimes see pumpkin added as an ingredient in commercial cat foods, and this is usually done for the fiber content the pumpkin adds to the diet. Although there are other healthy nutrients in pumpkin, theyre usually also found in other components of the food that are easier for them to digest.
Can a Cat Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
Although pumpkin seeds are not toxic to cats, they can become a choking hazard, especially when eaten quickly. If your cat eats too many, it could result in an intestinal obstruction.
If you do give your cat pumpkin seeds, they are best fed in small quantities with you close by. Do not add any salt or spices or cook or roast them in oil, which markedly increases the fat content.
It is fine to use seeds that are either in the shell or with the shell removed, but mashing or crushing the seeds is safest. They can then be sprinkled on top of canned cat food for your cat to enjoy.
Is Pumpkin Good for Constipated Cats?
Perhaps the most common reason veterinarians recommend pumpkin is for constipated cats. The water content combined with the fiber can often help ease constipation. Many cats will respond to 2-4 teaspoons of canned pumpkin added to canned cat food if they have a mild case of constipation.
Canned food is recommended for constipated kitties, as it adds more water into their system. This is augmented by the water and the fiber in the canned pumpkin. Many veterinarians will use the addition of canned pumpkin as part of the cornerstone treatment for constipation.
Is Pumpkin Good for Cats With Diarrhea?
Canned pumpkin serves double dutyit is sometimes used to treat cats with diarrhea as well as constipated cats! The fiber in the pumpkin can add bulk to the stool, which helps to relieve the loose stools of diarrhea. However, if you give your cat too much canned pumpkin, it will usually result in diarrhea.
If your kitty has diarrhea, consult your veterinarian before giving pumpkin. Most cases of diarrhea actually have a medical cause, and those are easiest to diagnose in the earlier stages. You dont want to treat the symptom and not investigate the cause.
After checking a stool sample and perhaps doing other tests, your veterinarian may recommend pumpkin as part of the treatment plan. Somewhere between 1-4 teaspoons of canned pumpkin will usually be recommended for diarrhea, depending on the severity of the symptoms, age and weight of your cat, and other factors your veterinarian might note. This is likely safe for both young and old cats that are otherwise healthy.
Can Cats Eat Pumpkin Pie?
Pumpkin pie and canned pumpkin pie filling both contain many spices, which are likely not healthy for your cat. Some of these spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice, can be considered mildly toxic and result in gastrointestinal upset.
A small lick of pumpkin pie filling will likely cause no harm, but if your cat eats more than this, call your veterinarian to determine if any additional action is needed.
How to Feed Your Cat Pumpkin Safely
If your kitty likes pumpkin and you would like to share, the best option is a small amount of cooked, plain pumpkin with no spices added. While it is sometimes best to cook your own so you know exactly whats in it, canned or pureed pumpkin is also safe as long as no other ingredients have been added.
It is safe to use either pie pumpkins or carving pumpkins, although most people think that pie pumpkins taste better. Who knows what cat taste-testers think? The canned pumpkin you get in the grocery store comes from pie pumpkins.
Some cats will eat pumpkin on its own, while others prefer to have it stirred into a small amount of canned cat foodabout 2-3 tablespoons. However your cat likes it, canned pumpkin can be a very valuable addition to your cats diet if they have gastrointestinal problems, especially mild chronic constipation.
Featured Image: iStockphoto.com/Bogdan Kurylo
Is pumpkin good or bad for constipation?
Foods play important roles in different bodily functions, including metabolism and digestion. Fiber-rich foods such as pumpkin may help improve bowel movements, preventing gastrointestinal issues such as constipation.
Pumpkin is a plump, highly nutritious vegetable that people can consume in different forms.
Its leaves, seeds, and skin are also edible and contain nutrients such as fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and folate.
This vegetable has
This article discusses how pumpkin affects the digestive system and whether it can help with constipation and diarrhea.
Pumpkin may help relieve constipation as it is
Pumpkin contains soluble and insoluble fibers, which play significant roles in digestion:
- Soluble fiber: This is soluble in water and gastrointestinal fluids and dissolves into a gel-like substance in the gastrointestinal tract. Soluble fiber slows down digestion and can help make a person fuller. It can help reduce LDL cholesterol also known as bad cholesterol and help regulate blood sugar levels.
- Insoluble fiber: This is insoluble in water and does not dissolve in the gastrointestinal tract. It adds bulk to stools and pulls water into the digestive tract, helping food pass quickly through the intestines. This type of fiber can be beneficial for relieving constipation.
While most studies on pumpkin focus on its nutritional content, some include information on how it may affect digestion and bowel movements.
Nevertheless, several
Since pumpkin contains soluble fiber, it can help loosen stool, preventing and relieving constipation.
The fibers in pumpkin are also prebiotics that helps the growth and balance of the typical gut microbiota. An imbalance of the microorganisms in the gut may contribute to constipation, according to a
Fresh pumpkin
Fresh pumpkin contains fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, is low in calories, and rich in fiber.
A fresh pumpkin retains all its nutritional value including fiber and is beneficial for gut health.
Canned pumpkin
Canned pumpkin is convenient for preparing foods such as soups or pumpkin desserts all year round.
Canned pumpkin may also help relieve gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, as it also contains enough fiber and a low amount of sodium.
According to current guidelines, 1 cup of canned pumpkin contains about
However, before purchasing canned pumpkins, it is advisable to check their ingredient labels. For instance, fresh, canned pumpkin vs. a pumpkin pie mix can contain varying amounts of pumpkin and sodium.
While the body needs sodium to maintain a regular fluid balance, over time, a high amount of sodium can cause high blood pressure and gastrointestinal diseases.
Pumpkin seeds
With a low fat and high protein content, pumpkin seed is an important part of the pumpkin plant and may also help with constipation.
A 2022 study on the characterization and food application of different pumpkin parts revealed that pumpkin seed powder could substitute white flour to increase the nutritional quality and fiber content of biscuits.
The study also indicated that pumpkin seeds contain more protein, fat, and fiber than pumpkin flesh and peel.
While pumpkin is generally considered good for gut health and motility, it may be advisable to eat it in moderation.
This is because how the body digests food varies from person to person. For some people, eating too much fiber from pumpkin may worsen constipation rather than relieve it.
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This can prevent or alleviate constipation.
How much dietary fiber should an individual have?
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 20202025, most healthy adults ages 19 years and older on a 2,000-calorie diet need between
As pumpkin contains soluble and insoluble fiber, it may help with diarrhea.
Insoluble fiber can help slow down digestion, reducing frequent bowel movements.
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Here are some questions people often ask about the effect of pumpkins on gut motility.
How fast does pumpkin work for constipation?
How fast high fiber foods such as pumpkin will work for constipation depends on the digestive-absorptive process.
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In the colon, the insoluble fiber from the meal adds bulk to the stool and pulls in water into the digestive tract, making it easier to have a bowel movement.
It is also important to drink enough water to aid digestion.
How much pumpkin can I eat for constipation?
There is no standard amount of pumpkin a person should eat for constipation.
Most adults ages 19 years and above need between
However, if a person has constipation, it is best to speak with a doctor to properly diagnose and treat the cause.
Pumpkin is highly nutritious and has many health benefits, including regulating blood sugar and reducing the risk of chronic conditions such as heart issues.
Pumpkin is rich in fiber and contains prebiotics, which can help improve digestive system health and bowel movement. It may help relieve constipation and diarrhea in some people.
However, if constipation or diarrhea persists, a person should consult a doctor.
Pumpkin for Cats How and When to Use It
No matter how careful you are, accidents happen this is particularly true when it comes to pet poisoning cases. Not only that cats and dogs have some uncanny ability to get into stuff that theyre not supposed to get into, but you also cant always know what things could be a potential toxin to them. And believe us when we say, there are a lot of potential pet toxins in an average household!The annual report by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) only goes to prove this. Each year, they examine all the compiled data to determine which are the most commonly encountered pet toxins each year. It helps keep owners aware of the threats, and to keep vets always one step ahead. In 2023, the APCC was extra busy, having received hundreds of thousands of calls about items and substances that pets were exposed to. Incredibly, these substances totaled over 351,000!Even though they were contacted about such an imposing number of potentially hazardous substances, they managed to narrow down the most common culprits and compile the list of top 10 pet toxins in 2023, which will serve as a great reminder of what to look out for.Over-the-counter medications, including cold and flu medicines, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and vitamins and supplements. With 16.8% exposure, these medications are the number one threat in 2023. Almost every home has some sort of medications stored, and they arent always expertly hidden. Accidentally, pets can discover them and suffer many dire consequences if they ingest them. Human food and drink are almost equally as dangerous, with 16.2% reported calls. A lot of what we consume daily is toxic to pets. This can range from common items such as raisins, onions, garlic, grapes, or sweets, to more rare items such as protein drinks and bars, xylitol gums, and energy drinks. If your pet gets their paws on any of these, it can end up in an emergency vet visit. Prescription medications for humans are very dangerous to pets, and many reports were made in regard to inhalers, ADHD medications, heart medications, and similar. Prescription medications are often strong drugs and definitely not meant for pets.Chocolate is the number 4 threat for 2023. A staggering 13% of calls were related to this sweet. Dogs are mostly found consuming it as cats do not have sweet taste buds or the appetite of dogs. Still, chocolate is not meant for pets and can cause many side effects.Veterinary products are at number 5 with 8.3% reported exposures. Callers reported ingestion of chewable tablets or soft chews, many of them used for calming pets. Owners are urged to keep medicines locked away, as pets can like their sweet taste and go after them when you are not looking. Plants and fungi accounted for 8.1% of exposures. Dogs are inquisitive and can find these plants on their outdoor adventures. But many plants can cause a threat to dogs, so make sure to acquaint yourself with a list of toxic plants to look out for.Household products are also on this list, with 7.1% of exposures reported. Pets consumed various dangerous items, such as deoxidizer packets, batteries, and various miscellanea lying around the house. Be aware of whats lying around thats easy to reach.Rodenticides are a major threat to pets. People can use poisons to get rid of pests, but our pets dont know that. If they ingest them, it can be extremely dangerous, leading to kidney failure, bleeding, and even death. When you are out on walks, always be careful what is lying around. Insecticides are almost the same. People use bug sprays, ant baits, and poisonous powders all over the place. Always make sure that the area you are in is free from anything that can be a threat to your pet. Recreational drugs are last but not least. With substances such as marijuana becoming increasingly legal, pets can come in contact with them as well. But there are also hallucinogenic substances such as mushrooms, especially psilocybin, and muscarine, which can be very harmful to pets.
