Can dogs eat it?
How much pumpkin can I give my dog?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Plain cooked or tinned pumpkin is safe for dogs, and a common guideline is about one teaspoon per 5 kg (11 lb) of body weight per day as a food topper. That means roughly a teaspoon for a small dog and a tablespoon or two for a large one. Use 100 percent pumpkin purée, never pumpkin pie filling.
Portion guide by size
Plain pumpkin purée has around 35 calories per 100 g, so it is light. As a daily topper: dogs of 5 kg (11 lb), one teaspoon. Dogs of 15 kg (33 lb), one tablespoon. Dogs of 30 kg (66 lb) or more, up to two tablespoons.
Going far beyond this can cause loose stools or gas, because pumpkin is high in fiber that gut bacteria ferment.
Tinned purée versus pie filling
The tin you want lists one ingredient: pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling looks similar but contains sugar, spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon, and sometimes sweeteners. Nutmeg in large amounts is harmful to dogs. Read the label before buying, as the two are often shelved side by side.
Using fresh pumpkin
Cut a pumpkin or other winter squash into chunks, remove the seeds and stringy fibers, and steam or roast without oil until soft, about 20 to 30 minutes. Scoop the flesh from the skin and mash it. Freeze extra in an ice cube tray; one cube is a handy portion for a medium dog.
Raw pumpkin is hard to digest, and carved Halloween pumpkins that have been sitting out quickly grow mould.
Pumpkin and stomach problems
Pumpkin is often suggested online for dogs with loose stools or constipation. Digestive changes can have many causes, some of them serious, so a vet should guide what to do. Pumpkin is best thought of as a fiber-rich food, not a home remedy for symptoms.
Key takeaways
- About one teaspoon per 5 kg of body weight is a common topper amount.
- Buy 100 percent pumpkin purée, not pie filling.
- Remove seeds and cook fresh pumpkin until soft.
- Pumpkin is not a substitute for veterinary advice on stomach upsets.