Is Pumpkin Good for Cats?

Most cats are quite food-oriented and love to be given some "people food" from time to time. We must be cautious when giving human foods to our cats, though, because they can cause gastrointestinal irritation or even be toxic. However, one human food with surprising health benefits for cats is pumpkin.

Potential Benefits of Pumpkin for Cats

Here are some benefits that may be seen from feeding pumpkin to cats:

How to Feed Pumpkin to Cats

There are some "do's and don't" when it comes to feeding pumpkin to your cat.

Don't Feed:


What to Feed:

How Much Pumpkin to Feed Your Cat

Most cats find pumpkin quite palatable. If your cat doesn't enjoy the taste, the pumpkin can be mixed into a wet feline diet.

At every step of the process of introducing pumpkin into your cat's diet, be mindful of the activity of the GI tract and the firmness and frequency of the stools.

How to Preserve Pumpkin

It is often thought that more of a good thing is better. In this case, that isn't true. Too much pumpkin can result in destabilization of the GI tract. Pumpkin is a natural laxative. Remember to check with your veterinarian and err on the side of caution: start with less and work up to the desired amount. Ensure that your cat always has plenty of fresh, clean water.

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