How to Roast Pumpkin and Squash for your Dog

Pumpkin and squash are both amazing sources of fibre and vitamins for our dogs.  They have a sweet taste that most dogs enjoy.  Because it’s high in fibre it’s also great for digestion.  It’s great in recipes (see Pumpkin Oatmeal Baked Dog Treats, Pyramid Pan Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats or Frozen Pumpkin Blueberry Dog Treats) and also can be added to a meal or served as a treat. 

I’ve been making an effort recently to avoid waste.  We are a two-person, two-dog household.  My husband and I eat very differently (I don’t eat meat except for chicken occasionally and prefer meals with fresh ingredients, and my husband loves meat and processed frozen foods) which means we are normally cooking for one.  It complicates grocery shopping and can create a lot of food waste.  According to Love Food, Hate Waste, 63% of food that Canadians toss in the green bin could have been eaten.  They estimate that we throw away about $1,300 in food a year! Yikes!  I have been consciously trying to reduce this for our household, not just for financial reasons but also for the environmental impact.

That is one of the things I love about roasting a pumpkin or squash: there is minimal waste.  Technically the only thing that isn’t edible is the stock:

• The flesh can be roasted then cubed or pureed and kept in the freezer for several months
• Seeds can be baked and ground to add to treats and food (human or dog!)
• Innards / slimy, stringy bits can be made into a broth
• Skin can be eaten, but can be hard to digest

This year, for Halloween, I also was more thoughtful about our pumpkin carving.  The pumpkins got carved later in the afternoon on Halloween day and were stored in the fridge until close to Trick or Treating time.  As soon as Trick or Treating was done, they got chopped up and went into the oven to be repurposed for the dogs! 

Although dogs can eat raw pumpkin or squash, it’s easier for them to digest and much tastier when it’s cooked.  One of my dogs, Willow, loves pumpkin when it’s freshly baked, right out of the oven and also in treats, but turns her nose up when it’s cold!

Pumpkin and squash should be served in moderation.  Too much can cause digestive issues.  Depending on the size of your dog, 1 to 4 tbsp a day should be appropriate. 

Did you know?  Carving pumpkins are perfectly edible.  They tend to be thinner, more fibrous and watery than other varieties, but are still very healthy and good to eat.

To make puree:

• Put the pumpkin or squash (or combined!) in a blender
• Add a little water.  Start with just a little, add more if needed (remember you can always add more water but you can’t remove it after blending!)
• Blend
• Store in an air-tight container for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 6 months (freeze in ice cube trays or in a Ziploc)

How to use your roasted pumpkin and squash:

The options are almost endless! However you choose to use it, it is a delicious and healthy additive to your dog’s diet.

• Kong, Toppl or other stuffed toy
• Stuffed trachea, hoof or bone
• Lickimat or tasting plate
• Recipes like Beef Pumpkin Gummies for dogs, Pumpkin Oatmeal Baked Dog Treats or Pyramid Pan Beet Turkey Dog Treats
• Mix in with a regular meal or serve as a treat