Three Reasons to Feed Pumpkin to Your Bostons and American Bulldogs
100% Pumpkin (not the spiced pumpkin for pies) is very good for your dogs for many reasons.
Most people consider pumpkins as vegetable, they are really a fruit born from vine plants of the genus Cucurbita, part of the gourd family. I bet you did not know this. Did you?
Pumpkins are rich in carotenoids, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, fiber, zinc, iron, vitamin A and potassium. In fact, you can tell the pumpkin is rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, just by looking at its bright orange color.
While you can buy a fresh pumpkin and cook it, canned pumpkin is really simple to feed to your dog. We understand that canned pumpkin is just as packed with nutrients as fresh pumpkin.
If you buy fresh pumpkin, you will want to puree so it is easy to mix in your dog’s food, like the canned pumpkin. You can even roast the pumpkin seeds and grind them up, but do not add salt. The leaves and stems should not be given to dogs because of the sharp hairs that will irritate your dog.
1. Give it to your dog as a treat: or use it as an ingredient when you make your dog treats. When first introducing as a new food, only feed a small quantity at first to see if it causes your dog stomach upset, such as gas.
We keep canned pumpkin and fresh frozen pumpkin at all times. It is one of the basic must haves in my home for the following reasons:
2. Dog diarrhea and constipation: Pumpkin has high fiber and water content, which are good for correcting and preventing constipation or even diarrhea in dogs, plus it can help bulk up your dog’s stool. Start with feeding your dog 1 or 2 tablespoons of pureed pumpkin a day, depending on your dog’s size. NOTE: Pumpkin may not help your dog with diarrhea or constipation if there is an underlying medical condition.
3. Helping your dog lose weight: Some dogs need to lose weight, but their owners don’t want them to feel hungry. Pumpkin is a great low-fat treat that fills a dog up due to its being high in fiber. The proper amount of pumpkin to feed depends on the size of your dog and dietary needs.
As with anything related to your dog’s health be sure and consult your veterinarian for how much or how often to use for diarrhea, constipation or weight loss.
Wanted: recipes with pumpkin let us know in the comments below if you have a recipe you want to share.Thank you so much. Let us know if you have used pumpkin in the past.
The History of Boston Terrier Network
Around 2014 it became apparent to our co-founders, that many supporters of the rescue community were having a hard time staying motivated and finding needed information in a timely manner. We wanted to help, do something positive, so the conception of the BOSTON TERRIER NETWORK (BTN) was developed.
Moreover, members of the rescue community continue to need recognition for many of their efforts to rescue, foster, and sharing of needed resources. Our team understood that each person, regardless of level or experience, has something important to offer the rescue community.
We had several ideas we wanted to try. Therefore, we attempted several programs dedicated to helping various rescues across our nation. By this time, we were in contact with other rescuers in United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada and several other countries.
We appreciated that building a stable platform would take many years. Our development efforts while successful, were interrupted by our need to take care of our own families.
For a couple of years, we even tried our hand at being a 501c3 nonprofit organization. We have decided this status has too many rules and regulations that sapped our energy and time instead of being able to focus on our true passion, the dogs and the people who love them. Before we paused, BTN had raised several thousand dollars, that was distributed to several struggling nonprofit Boston Terrier rescues.
We found along the way, SO many friends willing to help, many others that had been searching for a trusted place to learn more. BTN friends were introduced to the many pet owners who were willing to share their experiences of being in rescue, fostering, or adopting a rescued short nosed dogs like the Boston Terrier, French Bulldog (Frenchie), American Bulldog, Pug or even the Boxer.
We found that there were many items of interest we all have in common. We learned there were many questions on many dog related subjects to research and explore. With acknowledgement that our friends had lots of professional as well as personal experiences to share. This fact remains true today.
We had input from our friends who were breeding Show quality blood lines, who taught us a lot on why pure blood lines are so important. Several veterinarians and Vet Techs shared some of their advice and what they went through to provide best possible outcomes. We were also ankles deep in rescue, transporting, home visits, supporting sick and ill Bostons of all ages, aiding new foster and adopting families.
Here we are in 2023, We have updated our BOSTON TERRIER NETWORK website.
We have decided to pick up where we left of. It is so wonderful to share, encourage and help. So we will pray that God blesses again, this latest endeavo. Our goals are to continue to grow, reconnect with old friends, repaving our path towards some of the programs we were working on.
What is this website about?
This website is all Boston Terriers owners, fosters, adopters and their families. We encourage those who have Pugs, Frenchies, American Bulldogs, and other short nose dogs such as Boxers to join in to our supporting each other. In reality all dogs and owners are welcome, along with those who have been adopted by Cats.
We stay family friendly about the serious stuff, positive in our outlook, as we share with each other ways to enjoy our love of Boston Terriers. No question is to dumb, nor too silly, when it comes to educating and supporting each other.
We are eager to once again to provide our dog loving families with special place to learn, share and rekindle friendships.
Thank you again for your friendship and support
Updated: 7-01-2023