Pumpkin Puree for Dogs
Pumpkins are everywhere at the moment, and they are at their cheapest in Autumn. It’s a great opportunity to make some pumpkin puree for your dog.
Making pumpkin puree for your dog is a cheap and easy way to ease an upset tummy and add valuable fibre to your pet’s meals.
Pumpkin is high in both soluble & insoluble fibre. This makes it ideal for absorbing excess water, as in diarrhoea, and adding bulk to the stool if dealing with constipation.
The fibre in pumpkin acts as a prebiotic to feed the good gut bacteria and to aid in balancing the microbiome.
It is low in calories, low carb and high in antioxidants, particularly beta-carotene.
You will need:
A Pumpkin or Butternut Squash
Boiling water - Enough to cover the chopped pumpkin in the pan
Colander or drainer
Small pots or large ice cube moulds.
How to:
Chop into large slices and then peel off the rind. Scoop out & discard any seeds.
Cut into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Simmer until the pumpkin is tender, and then drain well.
Mash with a fork or potato masher.
Freeze in small individual pots or larger ice cube trays, which can be thawed quickly when needed.
If you want to make your dog a tummy-soothing meal, there is a recipe here using pumpkin, chicken, or white fish. https://www.hedgerowhounds.co.uk/news/pumpkin-chicken-mash
Pumpkin Chicken Mash
A soothing and comforting meal for when tummy trouble strikes!
A soothing and comforting meal for when tummy trouble strikes!
You will need:
1 Small skinless chicken breast or Cod/Coley portion if your dog is sensitive to chicken.
Pumpkin or Butternut Squash peeled & diced around 400g
1 Small celery stick, finely chopped
A quarter teaspoon of fennel seeds, lightly crushed
How to:
Place the diced squash into a saucepan, cover with boiling water, and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until soft.
Put the skinless chicken breast into another pan of boiling water along with the chopped celery and the crushed fennel seeds and simmer for around 15 minutes.
Drain the squash in a colander and allow to sit for 5 minutes to remove excess moisture then mash with the back of a fork or use a potato ricer.
Drain the chicken and celery.
Thinly slice or cube the chicken breast and stir into the pumpkin mash.
Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
This recipe is not a complete and balanced meal, but it is extremely useful to feed in small portions if your dog has a sudden tummy upset or is a little off-colour. It is light, easily digested, and tempting for fussy or shy eaters.
If you have the Digest & Rest blend, then a little stirred into the mash will be very soothing to the gut, https://www.hedgerowhounds.co.uk/products/digest-and-rest
The chicken and pumpkin mash will keep in the fridge for up to five days or can be frozen in small individual pots for later use.
Caroline Hearn- Hedgerow Hounds