Is This Festive Food Good For Your Cat?

Fall, it’s a wonderful time of the year. A crispness in the air, beautiful colors of fall leaves, and lots of comfort food to choose from which one of the favorites is, pumpkin anything! But we the pet parents shouldn’t be the only ones to enjoy the fall food fare, our pets can enjoy it too. Especially our furry kitty friends.

Cats need nutritious diets as well as humans, so why not give them this healthy fall treat? The wonderful thing is, they can have pumpkin all year round thanks to canning. Here are some of the incredible benefits cats can receive when putting pumpkin into their diet.

Fiber– One of the key qualities of pumpkin is that it is rich in fiber. It is also rich in moisture. Some of the way fiber is beneficial to cats are these:

Treatment of diarrhea– Pumpkin contains soluble fiber, and this can absorb excess water in the digestive tract, reducing or relieving diarrhea in kitties. Remember to check with your vet if this condition lasts more than a day or two.

Constipation– Equally, a pumpkin’s high fiber content can act as a laxative. The combination of fiber and moisture can benefit in creating bulk in the bowels which creates normal and consistent bowel movements.

Hairball treatment– Hairballs in cats can be relieved through the same method as it relieves constipation.

High nutrient content– Pumpkin is filled with nutrients that benefit different body systems in cats. It contains, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Alpha carotene, Calcium, Iron, and Lutein.

There is a proper way to feed pumpkin to your kitty, here’s a few do’s and don’ts.

Don’t Feed cats the stem of a pumpkin, pumpkin skin, pumpkin pulp, raw pumpkin, canned or fresh pumpkin with additives such as spices, sugar or fillers, and jack-o-lanterns that have been cut up.

Here’s what to feed your kitty that is safe.

100% canned pumpkin bought at the store. Buy the can that has no additives, fillers, spices, or sugar. It can be organic or not.

Fresh pumpkin can be used. Clean out seeds and cut up and bake until soft. Be sure and cool before serving to your kitty.

How much should you feed your cat? Start with a small amount first, it is better to build up to your desired amount. Use a level measuring spoon to ensure that you are using the correct amount. Adult cats give ½ teaspoon-1 teaspoon pumpkin daily. Too much at once can disrupt your cat’s digestive system. Always make sure your cat has fresh drinking water and dispose of the pumpkin that your cat does not eat. Most kitties like the taste of pumpkin, if your cat does not enjoy it you can mix it with their regular wet food.

Also, if you are going to use the pumpkin quickly store it with a cat food lid in the refrigerator. If you are going to use it slower, you can put portions of the pumpkin into an ice cube tray and put it in the freezer. You can defrost it the day you plan to use it. Make sure it’s not too cold when you give it to your cat. While you are introducing this healthy snack to your cat’s diet, it would be good to be mindful of their daily potty stops so you can check for the firmness and frequency of their bowel movements.

We all want to enjoy this season of the year and what a wonderful way to celebrate it by introducing your cat to pumpkin, just remember no sharing your pumpkin pie!