If you’re cooking some zucchini or pumpkin for dinner, you might wonder if it’s safe to feed squash to your dog. The answer is yes! Dogs can eat squash and in fact, the vegetable (technically a fruit) has a number of health benefits for dogs, and it’s a smart staple for a dog’s balanced diet.
Benefits of squash for dogs
1. High in fiber
Like many other fruits and vegetables, squash contains fiber that helps your dog feel full and help keeps their digestive system running smoothly. If you have a dog who is always hungry, adding fiber to their diet from healthy sources like squash can help them feel full for longer.
2. Low in calories
Squashes are lower in calories and therefore suitable for dogs who are looking to lose a few pounds. They have a high water content and plenty of fiber to help your pup feel full without adding too many calories. If you have a dog that is underweight, they can also enjoy squash but chat with your vet about pairing it with good sources of protein and fat to help them gain weight the healthy way.
3. Packed with vitamins and nutrients
In the Natural Pet Food Cookbook, Wendy Nan Rees and Kevin Schlanger, DVM, say that squash “has lots of beta carotene and vitamin A…Plus, it’s naturally sweet which dogs love. Many kinds of squash are also rich in potassium, which helps to maintain electrolyte balance.” Ollie includes freshly cooked squash in a number of its recipes so that dogs can reap these excellent health benefits.
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Risks of feeding squash to your dog
When it comes to squash for dogs, the only real danger is difficulty digesting. Remove the rough bits (seeds and skin) and cook the squash before feeding it to your dog. Raw squash is especially tough may be tough on your dog’s stomach, causing diarrhea or vomiting. It’s best to steam or bake squash before giving it to your pup.
Leave out unnecessary butter or oil and skip garlic or onions, which can be toxic for dogs. If your dog has a sweet tooth, its okay to add some cinnamon to your squash (especially pumpkin or butternut squash) but you should also skip any added sugar.
Best kinds of squash for dogs
Dogs can eat all different sorts of squash. Here are some of the benefits of the most common varieties you might find in the grocery store.
1. Butternut squash
This slightly awkwardly shaped squash has a boatload of health benefits for dogs. It’s especially rich in potassium (one cup contains more than a whole banana!), which is critical when it comes to the functioning of kidneys, muscles, nerves, and enzymes.
2. Pumpkin
Pureed pumpkin is a popular anecdote for dogs experiencing constipation. The soluble fiber helps to get things moving without adverse effects. Pumpkin is also rich in carotenoids for better skin and eye health and the anti-inflammatory vitamin E. Try making these healthy pumpkin dog treats that your pup will love.
3. Zucchini
Easier to digest than most squashes, zucchini is usually well-tolerated by dogs and can be eaten raw with the seeds. The long green squash is rich in potassium, beta-carotene, and folate, which is important for cell health and maintaining a quickly ticking metabolism.
4. Acorn Squash
This cute little squash is rich in vitamin V, folate, and vitamin B-6. Vitamin B-6 helps promote healthy digestion and a shiny coat. Acorn squash is especially high in vitamin C as well, which is best enjoyed by dogs in moderation and excessive amounts can lead to calcium oxalate stones.
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Remember, any time you introduce a new food to your dog, it’s best to do so slowly! Try mixing a spoonful of cooked squash into your dog’s food and see how he fares. If your dog loves squash and it agrees with his digestive system, this is a great vegetable to include in a healthy diet.
The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.
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Marissa Taffer is a consultant, writer and strategist based in Philadelphia. She lives and works with her rescue dog Charlie, a certified therapy dog.
Written by:
Marissa Taffer is a consultant, writer and strategist based in Philadelphia. She lives and works with her rescue dog Charlie, a certified therapy dog.
FAQs
Butternut squash is filled with potassium, which greatly benefits the nerves, enzymes, kidneys, and muscles of a dog. Dogs can eat any type of squash, but you'll want to make sure that you remove the seeds before feeding it to your dog.
What happens if a dog eats too much squash? ›
The high fiber content can cause digestive upset if your dog eats too much squash.
How much squash is safe for dogs? ›
A toy dog should only eat about a teaspoon or two of butternut squash a day, while a medium pooch can have a tablespoon or two, and a big breed can have even more. Alternatively, just use the 10% rule and just make sure your dog's squash treats don't exceed 10% of their recommended daily calorie intake.
Is zucchini or squash bad for dogs? ›
Is Zucchini Good for Dogs? Zucchini is completely safe for dogs to eat in moderation. It's low in calories and high in fiber, making it a healthy and nutritious addition to both you and your dog's diets. This summer squash contains numerous vitamins, including A, C, and K.
Can squash cause diarrhea in dogs? ›
Risks of feeding squash to your dog
Raw squash is especially tough may be tough on your dog's stomach, causing diarrhea or vomiting. It's best to steam or bake squash before giving it to your pup. Leave out unnecessary butter or oil and skip garlic or onions, which can be toxic for dogs.
Why can't dogs eat squash? ›
Dogs can eat any type of squash, but you'll want to make sure that you remove the seeds before feeding it to your dog. While a few seeds won't hurt your dog, if they eat too many, they can cause a backup in your dog's digestive system.
Should I feed my dog raw or cooked squash? ›
The first thing to know about how to prepare squash for your dog is that you shouldn't feed him raw squash. It isn't toxic, but it can cause problems for your dog's stomach. If you do feed raw squash, you'll want to puree it and give your dog only small amounts.
Is banana good for dogs? ›
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.
What is the difference between a pumpkin and a squash? ›
Pumpkins generally are round and symmetrical, sitting squarely on their base. Squash tend to be oblong or pointed at their base, causing them to not sit flat like a pumpkin. Gourds are similar to squash in this way, growing in all sorts of odd shapes, often oblong or with crooked necks.
What vegetables can't dogs eat? ›
Fruits and vegetables poisonous to dogs
onions, leeks, chives and garlic. grapes and raisins. tomato leaves, stems or unripe young tomatoes. green potatoes, potato leaves and stems.
Dr. Klein explains that the best types of squash to feed your dog are butternut squash, pumpkin, zucchini, and acorn squash. In particular, zucchini is the squash most easily digested by dogs.
Is sweet potato good for dogs? ›
Yes, dogs can indeed savor the sweet, nutritious benefits of sweet potatoes. Full of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, these tasty tubers can make a beneficial addition to your furry friend's diet when served cooked and in moderation.
Does squash Constipate dogs? ›
Let's dive into the various nutrients of butternut squash and how they can benefit your dog's health: Good source of dietary fibre, so is excellent for smooth digestion in dogs and promotes healthy bowel movements.
Does squash cause gas in dogs? ›
“Ideally, dogs should have cooked squash,” Dr. Fox explains. “The raw squash is more difficult to digest and can cause gas and digestive upset. It is also very tough and could be a choking hazard if a dog struggled to chew up and swallow a large piece.”
Are green beans bad for dogs? ›
Are Green Beans Safe for Dogs? Chopped, steamed, raw, or canned—all types of green beans are safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are plain. Green beans themselves are not only safe for dogs, but veterinarians also recommend them as a healthy treat. Best of all, dogs seem to love them.
Can too much squash make you sick? ›
Squash can contain cucurbitacin E, which is a toxic compound that can cause cucurbit poisoning or toxic squash syndrome. While dangerous, toxic squash syndrome is extremely rare, you can protect yourself by learning how it occurs and how to avoid it.
What happens if dogs eat too much vegetables? ›
Although vegetables are good for your dog, they should make up to 10% of their daily calorie intake. Eating too many veggies can negatively change the gut flora or increase alkalinity and cause kidney issues.
What happens if you drink too much squash? ›
It would be almost impossible for a human to take that much squash on, according to dietitian Dr Sarah Schenker. "I would imagine it would lead to a very upset tummy and disrupt the digestive tract," she says. Diarrhoea and sickness would be the main symptoms, she suggests, though they would not last too long.
