Beagles aren’t known for being the most discriminating eaters, in fact they’re incredibly food-motivated. We beagle owners know that our dogs will chow down on just about anything that they can get their paws on! While vets generally discourage serving dogs “human food” there are actually quite a few vegetables, fruits and grains that are a healthy choice for an occasional doggie treat.

Pumpkins are a type of gourd that comes in numerous sizes and varieties. And, although raw pumpkin is not good for a dog, the canned variety is not only delicious, but it is high in nutrients and can offer benefits for the digestive system when given as an occasional treat or supplement.

Of course, your vet should be the ultimate authority on what is right for your beagle, but for most, a bit of pumpkin is more likely to do good than harm. We’ve gathered all the info you need if you are considering adding this nutritious vegetable to your dog’s diet.

How Much Pumpkin Can Beagles Eat?

We’ve all heard the phrase “everything in moderation” and that goes double for your dog. Dogs aren’t known to slow down and stop eating when they’ve had enough. You may have heard about beagles reputation for becoming overweight because of their propensity for eating any and everything.

This means that it’s your job as the owner to offer foods in safe and healthy portions. The answer depends partially upon whether you are giving pumpkin as a snack or as a supplement for treating digestive issues. (More on the digestive benefits of pumpkin later.)

As a treat, the amount of pumpkin that is right for your beagle will vary – all dogs are individuals. The first time that you serve any new food, including pumpkin, you should give it to them in a very small amount (as little as a tablespoon) and wait to see if your dog has any reaction. If not, it’s probably fine to give 1-2 tablespoons on top of food, or as a treat a few times a week. Of course, you do not ever want to replace any portion of your dog’s regular diet with another food without consulting with your vet, because dog food is fortified to give your pet the nutrients that they need first and foremost. 

Health Benefits of Eating Pumpkin for Beagles

Pumpkins are a healthy snack for humans and beagles alike. These gourds are full of nutrients and fiber, are low-calorie and low fat. Here are just a few of this superfood’s qualities:

• Pumpkin is high in fiber, and can be beneficial for stomach upsets

Fiber helps to regulate the digestive system and keep things moving along. If your beagle is having diarrhea or – conversely – if they are constipated, a bit of pumpkin added to their meal, or given separately, might be just the thing to help their digestion get back on the right track. In this case, for a full grown beagle, try giving one to four tablespoons of canned pumpkin. This, in combination with plenty of water, will knock out many cases of run-of-the-mill digestive upset or indigestion.  Of course, if your dog is experiencing other concerning  symptoms or seems to be having stomach problems on a regular basis, you will want to check in with your vet to get to the cause of the problem.

One important note to make is that canned pumpkin is different from pumpkin puree that’s used for pies and breads, as that has a lot of added sugar that you shouldn’t be giving to your dog under any circumstances. Always read the label and consult with your vet if you’re unsure of canned food that you’re evaluating for your pup.

• Pumpkin is a good source of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is one of the fat soluble vitamins and plays an important role in your dog’s health. It contributes to maintenance of their muscle function, eyesight and even skin and coat health.

It’s also important to work to avoid vitamin A deficiencies in dogs, which you can read more about here.

• Pumpkin is a good source of calcium

Although we tend to associate calcium with  its bone-building functions, this mineral also plays an important role in many of the body’s other systems. Notably, calcium is important for proper contraction and relaxation of muscles and plays a role in blood clotting.

Getting a healthy amount of calcium into your dog’s diet is important because it promotes muscle growth, and helps to keep their blood pressure in check. This can be particularly important for dogs as they get older in age.

Related Article: Can Beagles Drink Milk?

• Pumpkin is a good source of iron.

Iron is utilized throughout your dog’s body for a variety of functions. Most importantly, iron is essential for building red blood cells. If your dog suffers from iron-deficiency anemia, you may want to speak with your vet about adding pumpkin as a supplement to their current medical regimen.

• Pumpkin is a low-calorie, low-fat food

If your dog needs to lose weight, pumpkin is a great choice for a treat. Many dogs have a difficult time adjusting to a lower calorie diet. If your vet has recommended decreasing the amount of food your dog receives at each feeding, adding a bit of pumpkin – which has the added bonus of lots of fiber – can help fill them up without filling them out.

• Pumpkin is good for your beagle’s urinary tract health

Because dogs, and male dogs in particular, are prone to urinary tract infections, it’s important to provide your dog with nutrients that help combat this! Urinary tract infections may seem like a rather small inconvenience but they are very uncomfortable for your beagle and, left untreated, can lead to much more serious problems such as kidney infections, gallbladder problems or kidney stones.

The antioxidants and omega fatty acids in pumpkin seeds (dogs should be fed only cooked seeds, as we discuss below) have been shown to be effective in combating urinary tract infections. Again, if your dog is in pain or having chronic kidney or urinary tract issues, a visit to your vet is in order.

Risks of Eating Too Much Pumpkin for Beagles

While pumpkin is a healthy choice of food for your beagle, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing! Eating too much pumpkin can actually lead to serious health conditions.

First off, pumpkins are high in Vitamin A. While great in small quantities, an overdose of this vitamin is a serious medical emergency. Vitamin A accumulates in the liver and becomes toxic at high levels. Signs of Vitamin A toxicity in dogs include lethargy or malaise, tremors and peeling skin. This condition can be fatal, if left untreated. If you suspect that your dog has gotten into pumpkin, or any other high Vitamin A food and eaten a large amount, you should call a vet immediately.

Another risk of eating too much pumpkin is the potential for digestive upset. Yes, you read that right. As we discussed above, pumpkin can be great for upset tummies in dogs. But it can have the opposite effect. All the fiber in pumpkins, when eaten in large amounts can lead to constipation. The key is to start your beagle on a small serving of pumpkin and see how they react to it, then slowly increase the amount. If you are serving your beagle pumpkin to stop diarrhea, vets recommend 1 to 4 tablespoons for an adult dog.

What Types of Pumpkin Can Beagles Eat?

You will need to pay careful attention to the type of pumpkin that you purchase for your dog to eat. First of all, the only parts of the pumpkin that are edible for dogs are the flesh and the cooked seeds. If you would like to prepare your own dish from a fresh pumpkin, you will need to cut it up and remove the outside peel and the seeds (which can be prepared separately.) You can cube the pumpkin and microwave or roast it. You should not add any other ingredients. Your dog will love the flavorful pumpkin flesh just the way it is!

You can also buy canned pumpkin, the most popular brand of which is Libby’s. It’s very convenient and can be heated or served directly from the can. You do need to be very careful to double check that you are purchasing canned pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie mix. The two of them look very similar and are often located right next to each other on the shelf. Canned pumpkin contains nothing but the vegetable itself and possibly water for processing. Pumpkin pie mix, however, contains spices and sugar, and is not recommended for dogs.

Your beagle may also enjoy eating pumpkin seeds. They’re quite nutritious and make a great snack but keep in mind that they are fairly high in calories and fat (unlike pumpkin flesh). So if your beagle is overweight, you may want to pass on them. Pumpkin seeds should be cooked or roasted before serving and most vets recommend that you grind the seeds as a precaution against choking. You can sprinkle this pumpkin “powder” on top of a serving of pumpkin or even on your dog’s kibble. If you purchase already-roasted pumpkin seeds for your beagle, make sure they do not have salt or any other spices added.

Final Thoughts

Finding healthy treats for your beagle can be a trick, particularly if you have a beagle with special health considerations. Pumpkin is a great treat for just about every dog and a good way to add a nutritional kick to your dog’s regular mealtimes. Its many health benefits make it a particularly good choice for older dogs or those who tend to get upset stomachs.

Because canned pumpkins are always available, you don’t even have to wait for fall for your beagle to enjoy this fun year-round treat.