Can cats eat pumpkin?
Can cats eat pumpkin? Most cat owners type this question into their search engines, hoping to find an answer and feel comfortable with what they find. During Halloween, the popularity of the question skyrockets. So what does this mean? Well, on the one hand, this just means that most cat owners are skeptical about the benefits of pumpkin for their beloved cats, and some cats show some negative reactions to this human food.
So for now, let’s jump right into it. Should you feed your cat pumpkin? The answer is yes. In fact, you can do what I do: incorporate pumpkin into your cat’s daily diet. As we will point out later in this article, pumpkin is an excellent remedy for both diarrhea and constipation.
At this point, I should point out that your cat has been eating pumpkins for a long time, you just don’t know it. as? Well, most canned products contain pumpkin as an ingredient. So if it is toxic, most of these cat foods will be banned and we will have systemic health problems at some point.
Benefits of feeding cats pumpkin
There are a few ways you can offer pumpkin to your cat. However, it is best to have the squash plain, cooked and unseasoned. In this way, pumpkin has many benefits for your cat.
As you know, pumpkin is rich in fiber. That’s why humans force themselves to eat them. I say forced because most people don’t like the taste. But the case of cats is different. Their sense of taste is not as developed as humans, so the taste of pumpkin is not a problem. But beyond that, pumpkin can provide up to 5 grams of fiber per cup.
So yes, it is high in fiber, but what does fiber do for your cat? Fiber is nutritious for all animals, including cats. Their nutrient levels vary depending on the efficiency of the animal’s digestive system, but they are still beneficial.
1. full fiber
Fiber helps prevent constipation in cats. Fiber acts more like a laxative. Helps loosen stools. Additionally, it is known to help improve normal bowel movements in felines.
2. Treat diarrhea
The soluble fiber present in pumpkin absorbs excess water that would otherwise pass through the digestive system. This helps relieve diarrhea in cats. For constipation and diarrhea, a small amount of pumpkin should be enough to relieve your cat’s discomfort. After a few hours, you should start to notice some major improvements.
3. Cat weight
The fiber in pumpkin will help you keep it under control. How is that? Well, fiber is usually very low in calories. However, it gives a feeling of satiety for a longer period of time. As a result, your cat will eat small amounts of food and feel satisfied for a long time.
4. Remove hairballs from the pet’s digestive tract.
Swallowed hairballs leave the cat’s system immediately and easily as regular bowel movements improve.
In addition to being high in fiber, pumpkin is also rich in vitamin A, which is known to help improve vision. Of course, a cat’s vision is excellent, however, it requires maintenance. Vitamin A is an important nutrient for this purpose.
It is also worth noting that pumpkin is rich in vitamin C. One cup of vitamin C contains about 11 milligrams of this vitamin, known to boost and strengthen the immune system.
How much is too much?
Now that we’ve answered the question of can cats eat pumpkin, it’s also important to dive into another question: how much pumpkin is good for your cat? Is there a threshold where things start to go downhill?
Considering the benefits of pumpkin we just described, it can be very tempting for cat owners to fill their cat’s diet with pumpkin. But it’s important to remember that too much of anything is toxic. Excessive consumption of the above fruits can have adverse effects. That being said, it is recommended to set a limit on the portion of pumpkin you give your cat. This will help maximize your strengths.
For adult cats, you can start with just half a teaspoon of pumpkin per day. After a few days or even a week, this serving can be increased to a full teaspoon.
If you like to feed your cat pumpkin seeds, you should start with small amounts. Makes approximately one-sixteenth of a teaspoon servings. For pumpkin seeds, you may want to consult a veterinary professional before increasing this ration. This will help keep you safe.
How should you feed your cat pumpkin?
Let’s start with pumpkin seeds, how do you prepare them for cats? During my research, I found a suggestion to wash pumpkin seeds and roast them at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour.
When preparing pumpkin, you should avoid adding spices or even salt. Added salt or spices may upset your stomach. Most spices sold in local stores include ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. All of these ingredients can help cats show negative symptoms in one way or another.
Take cinnamon, for example. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in heart rate, which can be life-threatening. On the other hand, nutmeg also increases blood pressure and heart rate. Ginger has been linked to stomach problems in cats in the past, while cloves can cause liver toxicity.
You can also feed your cat canned pumpkin if you wish. However, before purchasing these canned pumpkins, you should read the ingredients carefully and make sure that the particular canned food does not contain fillers or additives.
For canned pumpkin, you should consider Weruva Cats in the Kitchen and Fussie Cat FCC020.
How to preserve canned pumpkin for cats?
While the answer to “can cats eat canned pumpkin” is yes, let’s be honest, a 15-ounce can of pumpkin is a lot for cats to devour in one sitting. Unless, of course, you have dozens of cats in your house.
Now, that realization opens up a different can of worms: how do I store canned pumpkin? You know that storing it in the refrigerator won’t keep it fresh for more than a week. So what’s the best way to preserve canned pumpkin?
The best way to do this is to store the contents of the canned pumpkin in ice cube trays and store in the freezer. When the cubes freeze, pack them carefully in freezer bags.
Whenever you need to feed your cat pumpkin, simply defrost an ice cube and store the rest in the freezer for later.
