We know your pet is the superhero in your family.
At Tucker’s, we believe in the power of pumpkin. Pumpkin provides your pet with the nutrients they need to keep doing all the activities you love to share with them. That's why all our diets are 95% meat, organ, and bone, and 5% pumpkin. Our farm-fresh pumpkin is sourced from local Midwest farms and is organic and GMO-free.
Why is pumpkin so great? We’re glad you asked.
Pumpkin is a superfood for dogs and cats. It contains essential micronutrients and fiber that make it very nutritious. Besides being a natural stomach soother, pumpkin also helps remove excess water in the digestive tract. Pet owners have long relied on pumpkin to reduce instances of diarrhea as well as constipation in their pets whether it be caused by diet changes, eating something they shouldn’t, or stress and anxiety. Please note: if diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours at a time, please contact your veterinarian for further guidance.
Now, let’s break it down.
Nutrient Dense
Pumpkin is packed with nutrients, like really packed, like super packed, which is why it’s considered a superfood.
Vitamins A, E, and C are important for the immune system, brain function, eyes, and skin health. Like other orange vegetables, pumpkin contains beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body. It helps improve vision as well as boost overall immunity and skin and coat health. The carotenoid zeaxanthin also protects the eyes from light damage.
Niacin (vitamin B3) helps the body turn food into energy. It helps regulate the nervous system and create healthy skin and coat.
Vitamin B6 supports the body, including protecting heart function, promoting brain health, and preventing anemia.
Folate (vitamin B9) contributes to healthy cell function and reproduction.
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) plays a vital role in several metabolic functions, including the control of the stress-related hormones stemming from the adrenal glands.
Calcium plays many vital roles in your pet’s system, from bone strengthening to carrying messages between the body and brain.
Phosphorus helps the body grow, maintain, and repair cells, tissue structures, and functions.
Potassium works with sodium to maintain normal fluid levels inside and outside cells. It also helps with muscle contraction and healthy blood pressure.
Copper makes the hemoglobin of red blood cells and strengthens nerve cells and immune responses.
In addition to potassium and copper, pumpkin also contains the minerals manganese and iron, which play a role in cellular functions.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect against dangerous free radicals in the body. Free radicals are damaged cells that steal molecules from other cells. They’re a natural by-product of metabolism and exposure to toxins in the environment. But if free radicals are uncontrolled, they can harm cells and even DNA. Antioxidants in pumpkin include plant pigments, aka carotenoids (beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin). Carotenoids help lower cancer risk and degenerative disease. Studies show they may also be good for bone health. Like beta carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin also forms vitamin A. Zeaxanthin contributes to slowing down the aging process, improving heart health, increasing glutathione levels, and reducing inflammation of the skin.
Digestive Support
Pumpkin is a good source of fiber, which is great for digestive health. The soluble fiber content in pumpkin absorbs water, which can help solidify runny stools when your pet has diarrhea. Fiber can also help with the opposite problem, by loosening up the packed stool in the case of constipation. The fiber in pumpkin can help your pet feel full longer, and fiber can help prevent anal gland problems in dogs because it gives stool consistency, aiding in natural anal gland expression during defecation. Pumpkin has prebiotics, an essential compound that supports the presence of important bacteria in the digestive tract. And because pumpkin provides so much digestive support it helps with the transition to raw food.
Tummy Soother
Just like humans, pets can have sensitive stomachs and digestive systems. Pumpkin can help soothe a sensitive or upset stomach.
Decreases Hairballs
Cats aren’t the only ones that get hairballs. Dogs can get them also. Because of the high fiber content in pumpkin, it can help pass ingested hairs through the gastrointestinal system without blockages or problems like the formation of hairballs.
Low Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load
Foods with a low energy density, such as pumpkin, can help with weight loss by curbing hunger with its fiber and water content. The low glycemic load of pumpkin, combined with its low-calorie content, makes pumpkin a good choice for maintaining a stable blood sugar level and controlling weight.
Bonus Benefit!
Pumpkin seeds are a great add-on to the food bowl as a natural and effective way to remove parasites like worms from the digestive tract. The seeds contain a chemical compound called “cucurbitacin,” which is proven as a deworming compound that can be used to expel tapeworms and roundworms in animals.
Pumpkin seeds are low in fat and rich in protein. When using seeds as a remedy for intestinal worms, make sure you only give your pet raw organic seeds, not the salted, roasted pumpkin seeds that humans eat. The best way to serve is to grind them and add a ½ teaspoon per 20lbs of weight to your dog’s food once or twice per day until you no longer see worms or eggs in their stool. For cats, you can feed a teaspoon per day of raw pumpkin seeds to get rid of parasite infestation. Likewise, grinding the seeds will also make it easier for your cat to digest and also easy to sprinkle them over the food.
So, now you know the power of pumpkin and what a superfood it truly is. Feeding Tucker’s raw frozen and freeze-dried ensures your pet is getting a healthy dose of pumpkin in their diet every day.
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