Pumpkins and Puppies!

         Since we have left Halloween far behind us, and are fast approaching Thanksgiving, now is the time to stock up on Pumpkin.  " Pumpkin?", you say.  "Mine is already in the pumpkin graveyard aka compost pile."  Well, you may not have any pumpkins hanging around, but there is still plenty of time to  grab a can of canned pumpkin in the grocery aisle.   Pumpkin is a seasonal item in many stores...and can be hard to find the rest of the year.   So why am I reminding you to stock up on pumpkin?   Its not for pumpkin pie.  (though I will be making those as well!)   Pumpkin is actually a good medicinal item to have on hand for puppies and dogs.

Bazinga is not much bigger than a pumpkin, herself!

The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Chavez, says the following. "This festive gourd is a miracle food for dogs. Good for both diarrhea and constipation, canned pumpkin (not raw, not the sugary, spicy pie filling) is loaded with fiber and beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A." But as he warns, a little goes a long way. A few teaspoons for small dogs or a few tablespoons for bigger dogs is enough for one day. 

I highly recommend that every dog owner keep some pumpkin on hand just in case your little poochie has potty troubles.   Once you open the can and take out a teaspoon full for a little puppy, you needn't discard the rest of the can.  How about saving the leftover pumpkin in case you have some more trouble down the road.   One website suggested making Frozen Pumpkin Puppy treats.   Distribute 1 teaspoon of pumpkin into each cube of a silicone ice tray.  Then mix in a few teaspoons of plain yogurt.  Stir each cube and freeze.   When the tray is frozen, empty the pumpkin cubes into a freezer bag and store in the freezer.  Now you are all set to administer pumpkin to your puppy whenever it is needed.   This is just one method to help get a puppies digestive system back on track....the natural way!   

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!