Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
Yes, technically, dogs can eat pumpkin seeds. They aren’t toxic, and they’re actually rich in healthy fats and minerals. You’d even find them in some dog food, but usually in small amounts, ground and powdered, as they are rich in zinc and magnesium. But here’s the thing—dogs shouldn’t eat pumpkin seeds regularly because they are high in fat and hard to digest.
Every time we eat something salty, fatty, and crunchy, my dog goes nuts. He’s nuts for nuts! He likes to steal peanuts, salted almonds, and roasted and salted sunflower seeds that are not really good for dogs, and he likes to eat salted pumpkin seeds. I blame snacking in front of the TV because that’s when he wants attention from us, but still, it’s not something he should ever have.
While healthy for us, salty nuts aren’t meant for dogs. The same goes for pumpkin seeds! While they’re healthy and nutritious, they don’t need to be part of your dog’s diet. That said, if your dog manages to eat some, don’t worry! They aren’t toxic to dogs, even with the shells.
Can dogs eat raw pumpkin seeds?
Dogs can eat raw pumpkin seeds, but most vets think they shouldn’t. Here’s why: dogs don’t break down the shells in pumpkin seeds very well—they usually just pass through the GI tract undigested.
This means if your dog eats too many, they could experience an upset stomach, constipation, or diarrhea. In large amounts, the shells can even cause internal or intestinal blockages! If this happens, you can help by giving your dog something like cooked or canned pumpkin, which can assist with passing foreign objects.
When it comes to raw pumpkin seeds without the shells, your dog can technically eat them, but as I said before, the health benefits will be minimal. The health benefits are minimal, while the calories and fat are high, so it’s best to avoid them.
Can raw pumpkin seeds act as a natural dewormer for dogs?
It’s time for some myth-busting! This time, we’re looking at whether raw pumpkin seeds can act as a natural dewormer. There are several studies (I’ll link them below) that analyzed this, and while pumpkin seeds have been proven to kill worms, the key is that most of these studies used pumpkin seed oil extract! This means your dog would have to eat a huge amount of raw pumpkin seeds to get anywhere close to a similar effect.
Analyzing studies and how pumpkin seeds kill dog tapeworms
A study from 2004 looked at the effect of pumpkin seeds on canine tapeworms and its potential side effects on albino rats. The research found that a concentration of 23 grams of pumpkin seed in 100 ml of water was enough to produce an anti-parasitic effect on tapeworms. This amount is roughly equivalent to about 73 pumpkin seeds. When tested, the tapeworms showed signs of decreased movement, and at higher doses, the worms’ body structure was damaged especially their outer layer and eggs.
If rats needed 73 pumpkin seeds, your dog would need much more! Can you imagine giving your dog so many pumpkin seeds?! While they have the potential to fight parasites, you would need to feed them a large number of seeds to see a similar effect. Also, high doses might cause stomach discomfort.
In the second study, scientists analyzed whether pumpkin seed extracts can act as a natural dewormer. Research showed that the ethanol extract of pumpkin seeds was the most effective. It significantly reduced the hatching of parasite eggs and stopped the movement of adult worms, especially in higher doses.
In simple terms, pumpkin seed extract, especially the ethanol version (pumpkin seed extract in alcohol), can work as a natural dewormer, but it would take a huge amount to be effective in dogs. Would you really give your dog high doses of alcohol solution? Absolutely not! That’s why I’m all about myth-busting when it comes to this idea!
Can dogs eat roasted, baked, or sprouted pumpkin seeds?
If your dog happens to eat a few baked or roasted pumpkin seeds, it’s generally okay, but only if they’re unsalted. The main concern is how much salt they might have eaten, as salt can be harmful to dogs in larger amounts. Roasted pumpkin seeds, like baked ones, aren’t dangerous, but they are high in fat and calories without offering any real benefits for your dog. That’s not ideal if we’re trying to avoid unnecessary weight gain or digestive issues.
As for sprouted pumpkin seeds, they aren’t toxic either, but they don’t offer many advantages for your dog. While sprouted seeds are sometimes thought to be more nutritious for humans, the same doesn’t really apply to dogs. They’re still high in fat and calories, and your dog won’t get any extra nutritional value from eating them.
Dogs generally don’t need to eat sprouted foods, and it’s not something we should make a regular part of their diet. While sprouted foods can offer some nutritional benefits to humans, like increased vitamins and minerals, dogs don’t process or absorb these nutrients in the same way. Plus, sprouted foods can sometimes be harder to digest and could lead to stomach upset, mold, and toxins! If you’re interested in reading more, I wrote about this when I analyzed whether dogs can eat bean sprouts (they can!).
So, while pumpkin seeds aren’t toxic to dogs, they’re not something you should give them regularly. Out of all the pumpkin options, the best thing for your dog is cooked or baked pumpkin. And definitely skip the pumpkin pie—it’s full of sugar and not good for them. So, the next time you carve up a delicious pumpkin, now you know what you can and can’t share with your dog!
Love, life, and fur forever!
FAQs
These are the most popular questions. If you have more questions, comments, or concerns, make sure to leave a comment, and I’ll be happy to reply!
Can dogs eat pumpkin seed shells?
Pumpkin seed shells aren’t toxic, but dogs don’t break them down well. They usually just pass through the digestive system, but that can still upset their stomach and cause constipation if they eat too much.
Can dogs eat squash seeds?
Squash seeds aren’t toxic to dogs, but like pumpkin seeds, they’re high in fat and don’t offer much nutritional benefit. It’s best to avoid giving them to your dog, especially if they’re salted or roasted.
Can dogs eat butternut squash seeds?
Butternut squash seeds are similar to pumpkin seeds—they’re safe but not really necessary for your dog’s diet. If they’re plain and unsalted, it’s okay if your dog eats a few, but it’s better to stick with the cooked squash itself!