It is Pumpkin Time Again
@GardenGerty (169590)
United States
September 20, 2015 10:32am CST
Pumpkin and its readily available similar tasting cousin, butternut squash are available in the stores, and in cans and at vendors and farmer's markets.
A few years ago the summer was so wet the pumpkins rotted in the fields. Not only did we suffer from lack of pies and cookies and muffins and breads, but also little old ladies wandered the aisles of Wal Mart looking for canned pumpkin for their constipated pooches. Many breeds benefit from a spoonful of pumpkin in each meal according to the veterinarians. It is good for digestion and hair, and skin, and eyes.
My cats decided they liked butternut squash, and pumpkin, because I was preparing fresh squash soup. They began begging from the first one I cut open. The smell enticed them.I had two sickly kitties that I made chicken cat food, and pumpkin and squash quickly became an add in.
This is one case where human food is good for the pets. Have you tried this?
6 people like this
8 responses
@rosekiss (30413)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Sep 15
I never knew that. It seems that there are more things good for pets than we realize. I found out recently, that coconut oil is good for dogs too, as it helps with skin conditions, which my one dog has. I just put it on her skin daily, and it seems greasy at first, but once it soaks in, it doesn't feel that way. She had a yeast infection when I got her from the human shelter, and I kept chaging her diet, and nothing helped, until I started her on the coconut oil. I just hope that it will help her over time. I was told it will take a few months. I can wait if it helps.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
21 Sep 15
Yes, I use coconut oil and put it on my kitty. I had to make homemade food for two kitties that kept getting gum disease. I made roast chicken and added olive oil and pumpkin, and oat meal and ground it all up. As long as I did that their gums stayed healthy.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
23 Sep 16
@rosekiss Many vets and doctors know very little about nutrition. I have been giving Princess some coconut oil daily as she liked to lick it off my hands when I massaged it into her skin.
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30413)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Sep 15
@GardenGerty What gets me is that the vet never said anything about coconut oil. I think that is bcause he wants mone. The vets should be honest with people, but they just aren't, and that is sad. If I hadn't gone to petsmart asked them what to do, I would have never found out about the coconut oil. I get the extra virgin coconut oil, unrefined, and all natural. She did eat for a bit, now she won't so I just put it on her skin instead.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
21 Sep 15
I have never heard of pumpkin or squash being good for the pets. I've heard green beans not being so bad for them, and there was one other but it doesn't come to mind at the moment.
We are brimming with pumpkins already at my store. Not just the physical pumpkins but the pumpkin flavored stuff as well. Of course we always have the libby's pumpkin puree on the shelf, and an organic variety as well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
21 Sep 15
It was something several people told me. When I told my vet I was giving it to my kitties in a home made cat food she was all for it.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
21 Sep 15
@GardenGerty A lot of people are going more towards homemade food for their pets. It beats having to guess whether the food is truly as good for them as the bag or can dictates.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
23 Sep 16
It is good to know my discussions will still come up. Working on finishing SB goal. We went to Wichita after work to get the new stove and bring it home.
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
21 Sep 15
It is high in vitamin A. So it is good for skin and hair.
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
21 Sep 15
It is good to keep track of things, one thing that I did not know is that grapes and raisins are very bad for them.
@shaggin (74987)
• United States
21 Sep 15
Wow no that is something that I did not know about pumpkins. I had no idea they were good for pets. My cat usually throws up from anything unless it is cat food. If she gets any of our scraps soon after she will be gagging and I have to rush her out to the back room where there is linoleum so she doesn't make a mess on the carpets. I myself love pumpkin and am glad it is in season again although I do still have one can of pumpkin left from last year. After the season I got a bunch of cans for 25 cents each and bought them in bulk.
