Great Money Saver: Pumpkin Can Cut Dog Costs!

Are you crazy for pumpkin everything like over 172K Facebook users? Your dog could love pumpkin as much as you.

If you’re looking for simple little ways to tweak your dog expenses while still positively benefiting your dog, pumpkin could be an easy win. Pumpkin has a multitude of benefits for dogs and is relatively cheap.

Today, let’s dig in and discover how pumpkin can cut dog costs while providing great care. It’s a simple daily adjustment that could result in big savings. 

Of course, you want to always talk to your vet before making any dietary changes. 

*Updated: September, 2024

Budget tip:

Keeping your dog healthy is a great way to save on your dog budget. One of the biggest organs to manage with your dog is the GI tract. A healthy GI system for your dog means a much higher chance of being healthy. 

One tool for accomplishing this is pumpkin. When used correctly it can “balance a dog’s gut” and in turn minimize the number of vet trips and medicines your dog will need. That’s a great savings and an amazing boost for your dog's overall health. I’d say that’s a major win-win!

Is pumpkin safe for dogs?

Yes, if it’s given in the right dosage for your dog it can provide great benefits. 

What are the benefits of giving pumpkin to my dog?

Pumpkin has a few really good benefits. They include:

• Great for digestion
• High in fiber
• Loaded with A, C, E, potassium, and other minerals

As my dog, Henry’s vet says, “Pumpkin is great for balancing a dog’s gut.” In other words, pumpkin can be the great balancer between diarrhea and constipation for a dog.

Additionally, it has amazing vitamins and minerals all in a natural form. It’s one of those rare finds and it’s relatively inexpensive. You could almost say it’s an orange diamond in the ruff. Sorry, I just had to go for that one

Are there any side effects of giving my dog pumpkin?

The key to giving pumpkin to your dog is giving the right kind and the right amount.

• GI distress (diarrhea or other stomach issues with too much)
• Canned pumpkin is higher in sodium and should be avoided for dogs on a low-sodium diet
• Vitamin A toxicity with too much pumpkin
• Avoiding pumpkin pie spice puree is critical as it’s toxic for dogs and can them very sick

What kind of pumpkin is good for my dog?

You may notice several different types of pumpkin purees on your grocery shelf. Most are fine for your dog as long as you read the label. You want to avoid spices, sugar, salt, and other added ingredients. Basically, you want the label to just read “pumpkin” and nothing else. 

• Organic pumpkin puree – great for your dog 
• Pumpkin puree – just fine
• Pumpkin pie spice puree – AVOID as stated above it’s toxic!
• Fresh pumpkin – excellent (cook without salt, spices, or oils, and then puree)

Tip: You can freeze pumpkin puree into smaller quantities. So, if a large 32 oz. can is on sale, get it and freeze what your dog won’t use in 4 days. I like to freeze in 4-day amounts that way the pumpkin is always “fresh”. One small can will last Henry several weeks.

Want to learn more about the benefits of a licky mat for dogs? Here’s an article that breaks it all down.

Here’s where you can get a licky mat similar to Henry’s mat.

How much pumpkin should I give my dog?

Honestly, this is where your vet comes into the picture. The amount will vary depending on your dog’s size and needs.

For example, Henry is 13.4 lbs and I give him 1/2 heaping teaspoon twice a day. However, this amount will vary by how Henry is doing on any given day. Some days he may get a bit more or a bit less. His vet told me how to properly tweak the amount for his needs. 

In general, you can expect about:

• 1 tablespoon for a large dog 
• 1-2 teaspoons for a small to medium dog 

These amounts may be given 1-2 times a day. Again, you will need to talk with your vet. These amounts simply give you a ballpark for planning your dog budget expenses. 

While pumpkin is great for your dog, the amount to give is certainly not an exact science. Henry loves his pumpkin and his stomach is much better with it as well. 

Note: Read the labels of your dog’s diet food and treats. You could currently be giving your pup pumpkin. If so, count that amount in the total amount you give to your dog for the day. Otherwise, you may accidentally overdose your pup.

How pumpkin can cut dog costs and save on my dog budget expenses? 

If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know I’m a big advocate of being proactive and love actions I can take for preventative care. With this in mind, I know a dog’s stomach is very sensitive. Some are more sensitive than others for a multitude of reasons, including breed, hereditary conditions, or even medications for an illness.

For example, I know Henry’s stomach conditions tend to be on the ultra-sensitive side. Thus, if there’s a way I can help balance out his stomach issues, which means fewer trips to the vet, fewer additional medications, and ultimately a more healthy Henry, I’m all in for it! Moreover, if my expenses and my dog budget can receive a positive boost, then I’m nearly doing a pumpkin happy dance.

However, consider the following for a moment.

Oh, and with regards to my dog budget, I account for Henry’s pumpkin under the consumables section on his dog budget. 

Tip: A great time to stock up on canned pumpkin puree is after the holidays. You can also get great deals at the box stores after the holidays.

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• How to Find the Best Veterinarian
• Steps To Build A New Dog Budget
• Pawsitively Perfect: Dog Lick Mat Benefits

No Wizards Needed For Magical Pumpkins to Cut Dog Costs

Pumpkin may seem rather mundane and even seasonal. But the benefits are exceptional! For such a small amount of money, I can help Henry balance his stomach (I’ve heard his vet even call pumpkin “magic”). Heck if everything in life were this easy, I’d already be on board.

However, I need to stress again to make sure to talk with your vet first before changing your dog’s diet, especially with the additional fiber pumpkin contains. Thank goodness my vet was instrumental in determining the right amount and how to tweak the amount daily for Henry.

Also, I had discussed the addition of pumpkin during one of Henry’s regular vet visits. Thus, there was no additional cost for a consultation. Pumpkin was definitely a great addition to Henry’s diet. It’s helped his health and my budget for him.