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Pumpkin spice flavors have made their way into lots of human products, including coffees, muffins, ice cream, cocktails, and even cleaning products or air fresheners. But can dogs eat pumpkin spice? While you are free to enjoy your spicy seasonal indulgences every fall, be mindful of sharing the edible ones with your dog. In excess, pumpkin spice isn’t considered safe for dogs.
What’s Actually in “Pumpkin Spice”?
For starters, there’s usually no pumpkin at all in pumpkin spice-flavored products. Rather, pumpkin spice refers to a mixture of several spices, including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. This combination of spices is usually used to flavor seasonal baked goods like pies, breads, and cakes that are made with pumpkin as a key ingredient.
While some of the spices in a pumpkin spice blend may be safe for dogs in moderation, others, like nutmeg, are toxic to dogs in larger quantities. So, to be safe, it’s better to avoid feeding foods flavored with pumpkin spice to your pets.
What’s more, the foods and drinks that tend to be enhanced or seasonally flavored by pumpkin spice can be equally dangerous for dogs. For example, a pumpkin spice latte made with espresso has a jolt of caffeine, and caffeine and coffee can be toxic to dogs. Baked goods like a pumpkin spice loaf cake may contain raisins, the artificial sweetener xylitol, chocolate, some nuts, or other ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
If what you’re enjoying is store-bought, you can always read the ingredient label and know what’s in that pumpkin spice-flavored treat or beverage. But especially during the holidays, when homemade treats are everywhere, you might not even always be certain you know what’s in that slice of pumpkin cake or tempting spiced cookie, so skip sharing with your dog and offer them a pumpkin dog cookie instead.
Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Pie?
Dogs shouldn’t eat pumpkin pie, since this fall food classic contains ingredients beyond just the spice mix that can cause digestive issues in dogs. Along with the spices, the filling contains plenty of sugars, fats, and dairy that can cause stomach upset in dogs. While a taste of pie crust won’t harm your dog, too much butter or shortening can cause digestive discomfort or trigger pancreatitis. Dogs shouldn’t eat canned pumpkin pie mix or pumpkin pie filling, either, as these usually have the sugars, fats, and dairy already incorporated.
Dogs can eat pure pumpkin, and most of them enjoy it. This vibrant orange fruit is low in fat, vitamin-rich, and high in fiber. With your vet’s approval, pure pumpkin puree can also be used as an at-home remedy for dog diarrhea or dog constipation, since it works its digestive magic on both conditions. Pure pumpkin puree in a can is something every dog owner should have on hand for tummy troubles, so long as the ingredients list includes 100% pumpkin and nothing else.
Signs of Pumpkin Spice Poisoning in Dogs
A dog would have to eat a lot of pumpkin spice to be in danger of serious illness, but in the event they get their paws on a jar of it and decide to eat its contents, contact your vet or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
If you suspect your dog may have ingested an excess of 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 key 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.