Cats are carnivores that do not consume enough plant fiber. For this purpose, they can eat a small amount of some vegetables and fruits, as these plants have many benefits for these pets.
Discover in this article is pumpkin good for cats and the benefits of pumpkin for a cat, because yes, your cat can eat it!
Is Pumpkin Good for Cats: The Benefits of Pumpkin for a Cat
Pumpkin is immensely rich in protein, carbohydrates and fiber. To make sure your cat regularly consumes these 3 nutrients, you must put the crushed pumpkin seeds in her food.
Apart from that, this food has several other benefits.
1. An Intake of Protein, Carbohydrates and Fiber
Crushed pumpkin seeds in pet food are a great way to ensure that pets get enough protein, carbohydrates and fiber.
Preparation tip: Roast the seeds and crush them, but do not add salt.
2. A Natural Dewormer
Another advantage of pumpkin seeds is that they contain cucurbitine, an amino acid that acts as a natural deworming agent by paralyzing tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.
3. Pumpkin Helps Fight Diarrhea
Pumpkin flesh absorbs excess water in the digestion and can therefore help to manage diarrhea in our felines and canids.
Pumpkin also contributes to help with constipation due to its high fiber content.
By adding a little pumpkin to your cat’s meal, you should see improvements in 2 or 3 days.
4. An Effective Way to Satisfy your Cat
The pumpkin, which contains a lot of water, is ideal for “bulking up” the volume of your pet’s food.
The extra fibre will also help a dog or cat feel full, even if he eats fewer calories overall. For this reason, pumpkin can also contribute to your cat’s weight loss program.
In addition, pumpkin slows down digestion, so your pet will feel full for longer periods of time.
Tip: Try replacing a cup of regular food with a tablespoon of canned pumpkin.
5. Pumpkin Is Good for your Little Feline’s Eyesight
Pumpkin flesh contains vitamin A, which is essential for your pet’s visual health.
6. Pumpkin Strengthens the Immune System
The flesh also contains vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system.
7. Pumpkin Helps to Fight Joint Pain
Cats with joint problems need more vitamin C than they naturally produce, and pumpkin is a good source.
8. Anti-Aging Care
Pumpkin slows down the aging process with its beta-carotene, an antioxidant abundant in its flesh.
Ladies, beta carotene is also excellent for you and your skin, to prepare it for the sun for example 🙂
9. Skin and Coat Care
The zinc in the pumpkin will help improve the skin and coat of your hairballs.
10. Helps with Unexpected Peeing
The oils contained in pumpkin seeds and flesh are believed to contribute to urinary health.
Cats suffering from urinary incontinence, in particular, may benefit from a little pumpkin in their diet.
11. Helps Evacuate Hairballs
The fiber contained in the pumpkin can help move hairballs through your cat’s digestive tract, so they end up in the litter box, rather than vomiting them up on the living room carpet.
Regularly adding a teaspoon of ground pumpkin to her diet will also help prevent new hairballs from forming.
12. The Pumpkin Is a Vitamin Rich Food
- Vitamin A: Helps maintain a healthy immune system and good vision.
- Vitamin C: Strengthens the immune system and helps relieve joint pain.
- Vitamin E: Is a powerful antioxidant whose main function is to protect the body’s cells from damage.
- Beta-carotene: Is an antioxidant that slows down the aging process.
- Lutein: Supports healthy eyes, skin and coat.
- Zinc: Helps improve the appearance of skin and coat.
The Amount of Pumpkin You Should Give to your Cat
According to studies, it is highly recommended to give only a small amount of pumpkin to your cat, on an occasional basis.
- For an adult cat, count 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of pumpkin per day.
- For pumpkin seeds, start with very small amounts and gradually increase.
However, it is forbidden to give raw pumpkin to your cat, it must be well cooked.
For the preparation, you can mix the seed and the flesh of this mixed food, which you will put in the oven so that they are golden brown.
When your cat shows symptoms of constipation, you can give him 1 or 2 teaspoons of pumpkin mix. You should repeat this until the condition disappears.
Above all, don’t give your cat too much pumpkin. Pumpkin has laxative properties and can disrupt the digestive system.
Don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian for advice in case of doubt, and make sure that your cat always has enough water to drink.
What Parts of the Pumpkin Can I Give my Cat?
You can give fresh pumpkin to your cat, as long as it has been cooked to make it tender. Don’t forget to remove the seeds before serving!
The seeds can also be served to your cat, after having roasted them in the oven at a temperature of 350°F for 1 hour. Do not add salt.
If you find it more convenient, you can also buy canned pumpkin. Make sure that it does not contain any additives, sugars, salt… as it is too often the case with canned products.
Is pumpkin good for cats? – Image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay
What Parts of the Pumpkin Is It Not Recommended to Give to my Cat?
The skin is not very digestible and is difficult to chew.
The pulp inside the pumpkin is not recommended to give to your furry friend.
The very rough stem is also harmful because it can damage the digestive tract.
If you have made a Jack-o-Lantern for Halloween and left it outside for several days, do not give it to your cat afterwards because it will have started to rot, and bacteria can give your little feline diseases.
Finally, avoid all pumpkin preparations containing sugar, salt, additives or spices.
How Should I Store the Pumpkin?
You can store the pumpkin in the refrigerator, in the crisper.
You can also freeze the pumpkin after cutting it into small cubes. Be sure to defrost the cubes regularly as you give them to your pet.
Don’t leave the pumpkin at room temperature as it may spoil over time.
Foods You Can Give your Cat As an Alternative
If there is no pumpkin, you can give pumpkin to your cat. This food seems to be the same as pumpkin, but the difference is in the taste. The pumpkin also has virtues that help fight constipation and diarrhea effectively because of its water and fiber content.
You also have the possibility to give butternut squash to your cat when you don’t have pumpkin. This food has a very interesting taste when you add certain foods such as vegetables to it. Moreover, butternut squash allows your cat to lose a lot of weight thanks to its many nutritional virtues.
One Final Word
Well, I hope that this article “Is pumpkin good for cats?” has given you more and that it allowed you to better understand all the benefits of this vegetable for your dear little kitty.
As usual, don’t hesitate to give me your feedback on the use of pumpkin as food for our beloved hairballs!
Pumpkin cat Photo by Gundula Vogel from Pixabay
