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Pumpkin spice appears in lots of human foods, including coffees, muffins, ice cream, cocktails, pumpkin pie (of course), and other tasty treats. But can dogs have pumpkin spice? While you can enjoy your these products, don’t share them with your pet, since pumpkin spice isn’t safe for dogs.
What’s in Pumpkin Pie Spice?
For starters, there’s often no pumpkin in pumpkin spice-flavored products. Rather, pumpkin spice refers to a mixture of several spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. This combination is typically used to flavor baked goods made with fruits like pumpkin.
Can dogs eat pumpkin spice? While some of the ingredients may be safe for dogs in moderation, others, like nutmeg, are toxic to dogs in larger quantities. So it’s not safe to feed foods flavored with pumpkin spice to pets.
The foods and drinks flavored by pumpkin spice can be equally dangerous for dogs. For example, a pumpkin spice latte has caffeine in it, and caffeine and coffee can be toxic to dogs. Baked goods may contain raisins, the artificial sweetener xylitol, chocolate, or other substances that are highly toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Pie?
Dogs shouldn’t eat pumpkin pie, given that this delicious fall staple contains unsafe ingredients. Along with the spices, the filling contains sugar and condensed milk, which can cause stomach upset. In small amounts, pie crusts won’t harm your dog, but sugar and butter aren’t good for them. Dogs shouldn’t eat canned pumpkin mix or pumpkin pie filling, which often has pumpkin spice seasoning and additional sweetening, among other unsafe ingredients.
Can dogs eat pumpkin? Dogs can actually eat pure pumpkin, which is safe and even has some beneficial properties. It’s low in fat, contains vitamins, and is high in fiber. Pumpkin is often recommended for digestive upsets like doggie diarrhea.
Signs of Pumpkin Spice Poisoning in Dogs
A dog would have to eat a large amount of pumpkin spice to be in danger of serious illness. If they get their paws on a container and eat its contents, contact your vet or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
If you suspect your dog may have ingested pumpkin spice, be on the alert for symptoms like:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Disorientation
- Hallucinations
- Abdominal pain
- Irritation in their mouth
- Dry mouth
- Lethargy
Safe Ways to Give Your Dog Pumpkin
You don’t have to leave the family dog out altogether when it comes to the delights of pumpkin. Try making these dog-safe homemade pumpkin treats to give your pet, or you can buy dog treats with pumpkin as a major ingredient. Talk to your vet about whether your dog might benefit from fiber supplements made with pumpkin, probiotic pumpkin chews, or stool-firming pumpkin supplements.