Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds? Pepita?

Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds? Yes, pumpkin seeds (or pepitas) contain many health benefits and can be added to your dog’s diet. Pumpkin is a superfood for your dog. 

Before you feed your dog any pumpkin seeds, make sure that they are prepared. We recommend peeling and roasting your seeds. Pumpkin seeds go moldy quickly when raw.

Can my dog eat pumpkin? Pumpkin is excellent for dogs! It is fantastic for dogs who have any tummy issues because it helps to calm their upset stomachs. Pumpkin is also full of fiber, which allows dogs to feel full for longer and can help with weight loss.

Can my dog eat pumpkin puree? Pumpkin puree is good for your dog to eat as long as it is 100% pumpkin. If you are buying a can of pumpkin puree, make sure to check the ingredient label. If the puree contains nutmeg, sugar, or sweetener, do not feed it to your dog. 

Nutmeg is toxic to dogs and can cause your dog to hallucinate, become dehydrated, experience seizures, and it can also increase their blood pressure. 

If your dog has a high sugar diet, they are at a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, cavities, and depression. 

Busy? Get Your Hands Paws On The Answers Quickly…

• How To Prepare Pumpkin Seeds For Your Dog
• Benefits Of Pumpkin Seeds
• Risks Of Pumpkin Seeds
• 7 Alternative Seeds – Are They Good For Dogs?
• 3 Pumpkin Recipes For Dogs
• FAQs

HOW TO FEED PUMPKIN SEEDS TO YOUR DOG

The best way to add pumpkin seeds to your dog’s diet is to roast and grind them.

1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

2. Clean the seeds from the flesh, rinse them, and pat them dry.

3. Spread the seeds out on a cooking sheet and roast them for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Allow the seeds to cool before grinding them into a fine powder. You can use a coffee grinder or a pepper grinder to grind the seeds.

BENEFITS OF PUMPKIN SEEDS

Nutritional Information of Pumpkin Seeds

1 cup of pumpkin seeds contains approximately: 

• 12 grams of protein
• 12 grams of fat
• 34 grams of carbohydrates
• 285 calories

High In Antioxidants And Fatty Acids – This helps keep your dog healthy and improve their urinary health. 

Prevent Canine Parasites – The amino acids in pumpkin seeds act as a deworming agent and help a dog’s body rid itself of parasites and worms, especially roundworms and tapeworms.

Anti-Inflammatory – Pumpkin seeds are helpful for any dogs who are suffering from arthritis or dysplasia.

High in Healthy Fats – These fats help lower the level of bad cholesterol and promote good cholesterol. 

Good For Cardiovascular Health – Pumpkin seeds are high in vitamin E and vitamin K. These vitamins also help keep your dog’s bones strong and healthy.

High in Potassium – Potassium is essential for muscle support.

High Levels Of Zinc – Zinc is excellent for improving your dog’s immune systems as well as regulating hormones. 

Improves Red Blood Cell Function – This is because pumpkin seeds contain iron, phosphorus, and magnesium.

RISKS OF PUMPKIN SEEDS

High Fat – Since pumpkin seeds are so high in fat, they should only be consumed in small amounts to keep your dog healthy.

Added Ingredients – Some store-bought pumpkin seeds have added ingredients such as salt or nutmeg. Many recipes with pumpkin seeds usually contain toxic ingredients, like flapjack with raisins. Nutmeg and raisins can cause health complications for your dog.

Choking Hazard – To prevent choking, it is best to grind the pumpkin seeds into a powder and use them in recipes instead of full seeds.

7 ALTERNATIVE SEEDS – ARE THEY SAFE FOR DOGS?

Sesame Seeds – Yes. Sesame seeds are safe for your dog to eat in moderation. They are non-toxic and full of phosphorus, manganese, calcium, and selenium, making them healthy snacks. 

Sunflower Seeds – Yes. As long as they are unsalted and peeled they’re fine for dogs. When enjoyed in moderation, sunflower seeds can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of disease, and boost the immune system.

Flax Seeds – Yes. Flax seeds are full of fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid. Ground flax seeds may lower inflammation, boost your dog’s immune system, and keep your dog’s skin healthy and coat smooth and shiny. 

Chia Seeds – Yes. Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, making them ideal for sprinkling on your dog’s food or snacks. Some veterinarians recommend soaking the chia seeds in water before you give them to your dog.

Poppy Seeds – No. Poppy seeds are poisonous to your dog. This is because poppy seeds contain opiates, affecting your dog’s nervous system, and alkaloids, which can harm your dog’s brain functioning. 

Mustard Seeds – No. You should never give your dog mustard seeds because they contain toxins that can lead to gastroenteritis, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

Quinoa – Yes. Believe it or not, quinoa is considered a seed, and it is safe. Some high-quality dog food brands include quinoa in their recipes. Just be sure to wash the quinoa before cooking it to remove the saponin from it. For more information check out our article Can Dogs Eat Quinoa.

3 PUMPKIN RECIPES FOR DOGS

Homemade Dog Meatballs, inspired by The Dog Bakery 

Ingredients:

• 10 lb lean ground beef
• 3 slices of bread
• 2 cups oat bran
• 4 eggs
• 3 cans 100% pumpkin puree
• 4 carrots
• Flour

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). 

2. Cut the bread into small cubes. 

3. Steam and mash the carrots.

4. Mix all the ingredients, except flour, in a large bowl.

5. Form the mixture into small balls.

6. Dust the service with flour and roll the balls in flour and shake off the excess.

7. Place the floured meatballs onto a tray and cook in the oven until they are thoroughly cooked. This will depend on the size of the meatballs, but a good guideline is 25 minutes. 

8. Let the meatballs cool completely, and then feed your dog the meatballs as part of their meal.

Pumpkin Seed Treats, inspired by Doggy Daydream 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups 100% pure pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2. Mix the pumpkin puree, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, egg, and oats in a bowl and stir until the ingredients are combined.

3. Gradually add the flour to the mix.

4. Roll the dough into bite-size pieces.

5. Place the rolled treats onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, making sure that they are at least an inch apart on the cookie sheet.

6. Place the cookie sheet on the middle rack of your oven.

7. For smaller treats, cook the treats for 25 to 30 minutes.

8. For larger treats, cook the treats for 30 to 40 minutes.

9. Store the treats in a sealable bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Treats, inspired by Instructables

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp canned pumpkin or the pulp from about one large raw pumpkin
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter, non-sweetened
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions: 

1. If you are using store-bought puree, skip this step. If you are using pulp from a fresh pumpkin, remove as many seeds as you can from the pumpkin “guts.” Use a food processor to chop and grind the guts for about two minutes or until smooth. 

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

3. Mix the pumpkin puree, eggs, and peanut butter in a medium bowl.

4. Mix the whole wheat flour, salt, and ground cinnamon into a large bowl.

5. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients into the larger bowl. Mix the ingredients by hand.

6. Roll the dough into a large ball. If the mixture cannot form into a ball easily yet, add more pumpkin puree, one tablespoon at a time until you have a workable dough.

7. Cover your workspace with flour and roll the dough flat about 1/4 inches thick.

8. Use a cutter to cut the dough into shapes and place the treats onto a cookie sheet.

9. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the treats’ underside are golden brown, and they are completely hard all the way through.

10. Let the treats cool, and then give them to your dog. Store the remaining cookies in an airtight container for up to a few weeks. 

FAQS

Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds with shells? 

No. It is best to clean, peel, and roast the pumpkin seeds before giving them to your dog. 

Can dogs eat salted pumpkin seeds? 

No. It is not a great idea to share a salty snack, such as salted pumpkin seeds, with your dog because excess salt can make your dog extremely thirsty. In extreme cases, eating salt can lead to your dog developing sodium ion poisoning, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, muscle tremors, or seizures. 

How many pumpkin seeds can a dog eat?

It depends on their weight. Since pumpkin seeds are high fat, your dog should only have about one pumpkin seed per ten pounds of weight a day.

So if your dog weighs 60 pounds, they can enjoy six pumpkin seeds a day.

If you are interested in feeding your dog pureed pumpkins, they can have one teaspoon of pumpkin per ten pounds of body weight a day. Make sure to alter the rest of their food to keep them at a healthy weight.

Do pumpkin seeds kill intestinal worms? 

Maybe, pumpkin seeds contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin, which paralyzes intestinal worms in your dog. This makes the worms easy to eliminate from the intestines.

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Disclaimer: Each dog is different, and every circumstance is different. All efforts have been made to provide accurate information. However, it is not provided by a qualified Veterinarian, Veterinarian Surgeon, or Behaviorist. The information provided is purely educational. The information should not be used as an alternative or substitute for medical care. If you have any health or medical concerns, contact a qualified Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinarian immediately.