Dogs and pumpkin spice: Experts explain what’s safe and what’s not
Veterinarians warn that popular fall flavors can be harmful to pets, and some common ingredients may even be toxic.
Pumpkin spice is synonymous with September and fall in general, which means you may have already started adding the blend to your lattes or incorporating it into foods. From breakfast items like pancakes and waffles to pastas, curries, and other savory dishes, pumpkin spice is everywhere this season.
What’s in pumpkin spice?
Pumpkin spice is a blend of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, with allspice often included. Some recipes may vary or omit certain spices. On the surface, these ingredients seem relatively healthy, and they are, when added to food and drinks in moderation.
According to Next Level, using pumpkin spice correctly can have several health benefits, including improving blood sugar control, reducing inflammation, and aiding digestion.
Why dogs should avoid it
But none of these benefits apply to dogs, who should not be given pumpkin spice, warns Dana Harris, a pet nutrition expert.
While pumpkin alone is an excellent source of fiber and vitamins for dogs, pumpkin spice contains ingredients that can be toxic to them.
Ingesting nutmeg, for example, can lead to seizures and hallucinations. Cloves may cause liver damage and digestive upset, while allspice can also irritate pets if consumed in large amounts.
Warning signs of pumpkin spice ingestion in dogs
If your pet accidentally eats a pumpkin spice treat, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, a dry mouth, or lethargy. These are key indicators that your dog may have ingested something harmful.
Pumpkin-related treats
Harris says that a “very infrequent” pup cup, which is simply whipped cream, is “okay in moderation.”
Adding plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie. to a dog’s diet is a much healthier way to treat your pet. You can serve it as frozen pumpkin pops, use it as a topping for their meals, or simply mix it into their regular dog food.
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