The pumpkin is famous in North America, where it is eaten especially on Thanksgiving or Halloween. In Europe, on the other hand, it remains little known, as do its benefits for human and animal health. However, it turns out that the simple fact of adding a little pumpkin to your cat’s diet every day can be particularly beneficial for him, and notably facilitate his digestion. We tell you more in this article!
The benefits of pumpkin for your cat
1. Fight against constipation
Rich in fiber and water, pumpkin helpshydrate the intestinesand in particular your cat’s dry stools, thus helping to combat constipation.
2. Relieves Diarrhea
What makes pumpkin a truly amazing food is that it works against constipation but also against diarrhea. In fact, the soluble fibers it contains can help absorb excess water in the intestines and add bulk to stools, thereby relieving diarrhea.
3. Promotes the elimination of hairballs
When your cat eats pumpkin, it travels through the gastrointestinal tract and thus allows you to release the hairs found in its wake. Therefore, it is invaluable in combating hairballs.
4. Increases the feeling of fullness
The good thing about pumpkin is that it promotes the feeling of satiety even though it is only very low calories. Thus, it is a great tool for weight loss, helping your pet feel fuller for longer.
5. Has a high nutrient content
Pumpkin is full of nutrients beneficial to health: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, iron, beta-carotene, lutein…
How to add pumpkin to your cat’s meals?
First of all, it is essential to choose organic pumpkin (or gourd) without additives, without added sugars or spices. Choose canned pumpkin (preferably pureed) or pumpkin cooked by yourself (in this case, remember to remove the seeds). Then add half a teaspoon (or even a teaspoon for large breeds) every day in your cat’s food.
On the other hand, avoid giving your cat the pumpkin stem, skin, pulp, raw pumpkin or even spoiled pumpkin.
And be careful, if your cat suffers from a chronic illness (kidney failure, diabetes, etc.), ask your veterinarian for advice before adding pumpkin to your diet.
Good to know : if your cat is regularly subject to digestive disorders, a veterinary consultation is necessary. Indeed, vomiting, diarrhea or even stomach aches can be symptoms of many illnesses.
