Image courtesy of Michael Elliot at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
If you've ever worked at an animal shelter or fostered critters, you probably know about the benefits of pumpkin. And no, delicious as it is, I don't mean pumpkin pie.
If your dog or cat has diahrrea from a new medicine or eating something that didn't agree with his system, a bit of raw pumpkin can help slow the flow. Strangely enough, if the animal is constipated, raw pumpkin helps, too. The natural fiber provided by a teaspoon or two (depending upon the animal's size) works wonders. And since most critters look at pumpkin as a delicious treat, you shouldn't have much trouble getting them to eat it. For the more finicky, try mixing the pumpkin into the animal's food.
NOTE: If your animal has other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, lethargy, or doesn't seem to be bouncing back from the problem, don't rely on pumpkin as a cure-all. Animals (especially puppies and kittens) can become dehydrated quickly. Contact your veterinarian for advice.
Remember to look for 100% pure canned pumpkin, NOT canned pumpkin pie mix.
Because this isn't a cooking lesson!
5 comments:
Excellent advice. Pat. Thanks!
I'm tucking away that tidbit of information for future reference--though my craft canine has a cast-iron digestive system. Yesterday she sneaked into the kitchen and helped herself to half a pan of fresh apple crisp! (And she slept like a baby!)
Hi Pat,
News to me, but some I'll remember.
Thanks for posting such great advice.
Donna
Interesting. I had no idea. I'm gonig to share with my sister who experienced a bout of diarrhea with her one dog this past spring. I know for a fact her vet never recommended raw pumpkin. Thanks for sharing this.
That is a really great tip! My hermit crabs will eat fresh or dried pumpkin. But no pie for them!
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