by Rachel Witucki

Fall is here! Along with the new season, we’re seeing different kinds of squash lining our grocery store shelves and decorating the tables of our local farmers’ markets. Most pet owners are aware that pumpkin aids digestive issues, but there’s so much more to this squash!

Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Pumpkin boasts a long list of health benefits. In situations of mild diarrhea or digestive upset, pumpkin is a great addition to your dog or cat’s meal. Pumpkin is rich in soluble fiber, meaning that it coats and soothes an irritated bowel. This type of fiber slows down gastrointestinal transit times, which in turn can reduce the amount of diarrhea episodes your pet may be having.

Since pumpkin is a great source of fiber, it can also aid the slightly plumper pets. Fiber provides a feeling of fullness, so adding it to a diet may help with weight loss by reducing caloric intake.

If you have fresh pumpkins on hand, don’t toss those seeds! Not only are they high in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, they are also an excellent source of beta-carotene, potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron. In addition, the seeds also act as a natural dewormer, especially in the case of tapeworms and roundworms. Pumpkin seeds contain the amino acid ‘cucurbitin,’ which paralyzes parasites or worms before they are flushed from your pet’s digestive system. Simply dry the seeds from your fresh pumpkin or purchase an organic, raw, unsalted option from the grocery store. If your cat or dog doesn’t enjoy the seeds whole, you can try grinding them up and adding them in with their daily meals.

Other Fall Vegetables for Pets

For those pets that aren’t huge fans of pumpkin, you can also try squash or sweet potato.

Squash, much like pumpkin, can be a beneficial addition to your pet’s bowl at meal time. It can help with bulking up soft stool and soothing a sore stomach. This fall vegetable is also high in beta-carotene, which benefits the eyes.

Sweet potatoes are loaded with amino acids, which are essential to your pet’s diet as they build and maintain muscle and increase antioxidant activity in the body. Research has shown that sweet potatoes can help remove fatty cells from the liver and also helps keep organs healthy. Additionally, sweet potato is a great source of dietary fiber. According to the doctrine of signature for plants, the sweet potato also represents and supports pancreatic health.

Healthy Fall Pet Products

If you are not purchasing these fall ingredients fresh, make sure that any canned options you give your animals (especially pumpkin) are sugar- and/or flavoring-free. We also carry a wide variety of options at The Pet Beastro, including:

• Nummy Tum Tum Organic Pumpkin or Sweet Potato
• Snook’s Sweet Potato Chews
• Sam’s Yams
• Fruitables Pumpkin and Sweet Potato
  • Fruitables Digestive Supplement, Switch, or Weight Loss Supplement (options in both pumpkin or sweet potato)
  • Fruitables All Natural Pumpkin & Apple Dog Treats
  • Fruitables All Natural Pumpkin & Banana Dog Treats
  • Fruitables All Natural Pumpkin & Blueberry Dog Treats
  • Fruitables All Natural Pumpkin & Cranberry Dog Treats
  • Fruitables All Natural Sweet Potato & Pecan Dog Treats
• Weruva Pumpkin Patch Up! Pouches
• Grandma Lucy’s Pumpkin and Sweet Potato
  • Grandma Lucy’s Organic Baked Banana & Sweet Potato Treats
  • Grandma Lucy’s Freeze-Dried Sweet Potatoes
  • Grandma Lucy’s Organic Baked Pumpkin Treats
• Diggin Your Dog – Firm Up! Pumpkin Supplement
• Wild Yam
• CocoTherapy Five-Star Coconut Gingered Pumpkin Training Treats
• Crump’s Sweet Potato Rawhide
  • Crump’s Naturals Sweet Potato Rawhide Dog Treat
  • Crump’s Naturals Sweet Potato & Liver Rawhide Dog Treats

If you haven’t given these vegetables a try, you may want to consider adding them to your pet’s diet this fall!