Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin? Yes: Safe Amount by Weight

Safe

Yes, dogs can eat pumpkin!

Plain canned pumpkin (100% pumpkin, not pie filling) or cooked fresh pumpkin is safe for dogs. Its soluble fiber is often recommended for mild digestive upset.

Pumpkin for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	Safe
Calories	About 5 kcal per tablespoon of plain pumpkin
Main benefit	Soluble fiber that can help firm stool or relieve mild constipation
Main risk	Pumpkin pie filling contains sugar and spices (and occasionally xylitol)
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How much pumpkin can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One tablespoon of plain pumpkin has about 5 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if pumpkin were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max pumpkin per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	6.5 × tablespoon of plain pumpkin
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	11 × tablespoon of plain pumpkin
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	19 × tablespoon of plain pumpkin
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	26 × tablespoon of plain pumpkin
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	33 × tablespoon of plain pumpkin

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Soluble fiber that can help firm stool or relieve mild constipation
Low in calories (about 5 kcal per tablespoon)
Beta-carotene and potassium

Risks

Pumpkin pie filling contains sugar and spices (and occasionally xylitol)
Too much fiber can cause diarrhea
Raw pumpkin and the stem are hard to digest

How to feed pumpkin to your dog

Use 100% pure canned pumpkin or cooked, unseasoned pumpkin
Start with about 1 teaspoon for small dogs and 1 tablespoon for large dogs
Freeze in ice-cube trays for treats

What if my dog ate too much pumpkin?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your dog seems unwell.

Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.

Pumpkin and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have pumpkin?

Yes. Plain canned pumpkin (100% pumpkin, not pie filling) or cooked fresh pumpkin is safe for dogs. Its soluble fiber is often recommended for mild digestive upset.

How much pumpkin should I give my dog for diarrhea?

Common guidance is 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon depending on size. If diarrhea continues beyond a day, or there is blood or lethargy, see your vet.

Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds?

Plain roasted, unsalted seeds in small amounts are okay. Grind them for small dogs.

Is pumpkin pie safe for dogs?

No. Pie contains sugar, spices like nutmeg, fat and sometimes xylitol.

Can puppies eat pumpkin?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Puppies have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete puppy food.

More "can dogs eat" guides

Browse lists: all vegetables dogs can eat · human foods dogs can eat · foods dogs can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin?