Want to feed your dog butternut squashes but not sure if it’s safe for them or not? Don’t worry, we have your back! In this 3-minute article, you will learn everything you need to know about “can dogs eat butternut squash?”
The answer is YES! Dogs can eat butternut squash in moderation, but there is more to it! So buckle up because we are about to give you all the reasons why this veggie is the best treat for you and your dog! And not this we will also tell you the risks involved.
Is Butternut Squash Good For Dogs?
Butternut Squash is an excellent way to incorporate multiple nutrients into your doggo’s diet. So, if you are someone who is always concerned about your dog’s health and what they eat in snacks, then this veggie might be the answer to all your questions. But before that, let’s see what the hype is about:
- Butternut Squash is packed with vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and folate, which are essential for a dog’s well-being.
- If your dog often ends up eating fried and full-of-fat treats, then it’s high time to stop that habit! Obesity is one of the common health concerns in dogs, and well, butternut squash is THE perfect alternative to any unhealthy treat!
- Last but not least, this veggie is full of fiber! It means that if your dog often struggles with poop problems or poor digestion- all you have to do is butternut squash your way out of it!
How Do You Prepare Butternut Squash For Dogs?
Now that you know butternut is safe for dogs and can be fed- you must be wondering about all the creative ways you can feed it to your dog. BUT! Before you go all creative, here are some basics of preparing butternut squash for your pooch:
1. Remove seeds and peel
Before feeding your dog any human food, be it apple, pear, watermelon, cantaloupes, apricot, etc., ALWAYS remember to scoop out the core or the seeds. It is because these little guys may seem harmless but can cause choking hazards, especially in small dogs! Also, some of the seeds even contain cyanide, which is a toxin for dogs! (study)
2. Raw or cooked?
When it comes to feeding your dog butternut squash, you cannot be lazy! This fruit cum veggie needs to be cooked before you serve it if you want it to be safe for your dog. Cooked food is always better as it stores the nutrients better and is also easier to digest. But wait, imagine this: you are chopping raw butternut squash for your pooch, and your dog steals some off the plate and gobbles it down. If this happens to you, don’t worry! Your dog would be fine!
3. Chop it all!
Butternut squash is enormous in size, and it’s humanly and dog-ly (if that’s a word) impossible to gobble it down all at once. This is why you should always chop it down in bite-sized pieces so it is easier for your dog to eat it one by one. Also, do you know what’s better than small pieces? Smashed and pure-ed butternut squash!
Conclusion
If you are asking us – then please go ahead and shower your pooch with butter squash nuts! These nuts are not just tasty but make a brilliant alternative to unhealthy treats like fried dog treats and sweet cookies.
In a nutshell, if you are someone who is always concerned about the nutritional value of dog food, then butter squash nuts will not disappoint you with their health quotient. BUT BUT BUT! Before you feed your dog anything new, always remember to consult a veterinarian, feed in moderation, and only give your dog unseasoned food! And that’s all!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can feed your dog butternut squash soup until and unless it contains any additives. The best way to serve your dog soup is to make it at home without using any seasonings or harmful ingredients. Also, please consult your veterinarian before feeding anything new to your dog.
Even though raw and cooked versions of the butternut squash are safe for dogs, we recommend cooking it beforehand. It is because cooking will make it easier to digest and possibly even prevent choking hazards. Also, a cooked and smashed version would be the best if you have a small or toothless dog.
No! It would be best to keep the butternut squash peels far from your pooch. Your dog might pick it up from dustbins, so you better monitor them. Eating peels can cause severe choking hazards, and if they aren’t chewed properly, they will be very hard to digest for your pooch.
Even though butternut squash is an excellent treat for dogs, it should make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake. It also depends on the size of your dog- whether it is a small, medium, or large dog and their dietary requirements.
Nope! You should never feed your dog butternut squash seeds, as they can be choking hazards for dogs. Although if your dog gobbled down a few and pooped them out, it should not be a concern as the seeds are not toxic. Yet, always remove the seeds, especially when feeding a small dog.
