If you’re looking to add a little oomph to your homemade pumpkin puree for dogs, you’ve come to the right place!
I recently made a fresh batch of pumpkin puree for my raw-fed pup Wally when he had a stomach bug.
He must have picked up something that didn’t agree with him on one of our walks.
So after an afternoon and night of throwing up, I took him to the vet the next morning.
She gave him subcutaneous and oral meds and told me to feed him a bland diet for the next couple days.
Since Wally doesn’t do well with chicken, rice or potatoes, she suggested boiled sweet potatoes or pumpkin puree.
I decided to go with the latter, especially because it’s pumpkin season as I type this!
But also because I had just cooked up a batch of yummy goodness I was going to add.
Curious to know what I added? You’re about to find out!
Add This to Your Homemade Pumpkin Puree for Dogs to Make It Even Better
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The Secret Sauce in My Pumpkin Puree
Ok, I’ll let you in on the secret sauce, which it quite literally is!
I’m talking about bone broth.
The particular kind I used for this type of pumpkin puree is my own homemade goat bone broth.
I made it with goat ribs, filtered water and organic ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar).
But you can make it with any other bones as well! For example:
- Turkey and duck necks
- Chicken and duck feet or wings
- Beef soup bones, etc.
I just happened to have goat ribs handy in Wally’s raw dog food freezer, so I went with those.
The Benefits of Bone Broth for Dogs
For those of you who aren’t familiar with bone broth, here’s a quick summary of why it’s so awesome!
So just like its name suggests, bone broth is made from bones and the cartilage that cushions the bones.
That means that all the goodness that’s found in both slowly seeps into the broth. For instance minerals, chondroitin and glucosamine.
That makes it an excellent immune system booster that’s also great for achy joints!
Additionally, it’s really gentle on the digestive system and helps with upset doggie stomachs.
It also detoxifies the liver and you can even use it as a meal topper to get picky eaters to eat.
And that’s why I strongly recommend you use bone broth in your pumpkin puree!
The Benefits of Pumpkin Puree for Dogs
Pumpkin puree itself is a low fat, low calorie food that’s naturally rich in fiber.
That’s why it’s SO good to feed to your pup when they have an upset stomach and/or diarrhea, as my vet suggested.
It also makes a great filler to replace part of your pup’s food with if they have to loose some weight. That’s because it makes them feel fuller longer.
Besides that, it’s also rich in minerals (iron, magnesium, potassium) and vitamins (A, B, C, E and K).
What You’ll Need for Your Homemade Pumpkin Puree For Dogs
All in all you’re looking at about an hour and a half to 2 hours of your time, including prep work and clean up.
However, it doesn’t include making your own bone broth! That takes up to several hours to a full day, depending on how long you decide to let it cook.
It’s best to make it in a crock pot because you can really let it simmer in there for 24 hours without having to pay any attention to it.
Alternatively, you can also make it in a pot and let it simmer in there for a few hours at a time.
I just wouldn’t let the pot sit out on the stove top unsupervised.
Now, besides your time, this is what you’ll need:
- Whole pumpkins
- Bone broth
- Kitchen knife
- Cutting board
- Food processor or blender
- Food storage containers (I like to use BPA-free ones)
- Your oven
Here’s a tip: Try to find smaller pumpkins to make your puree with as opposed to the super large Jack ‘O Lantern ones.
They’re usually labeled sugar pumpkin or baking pumpkin. They’ll have a lot more flavor and taste way better!
How to Make Your Pumpkin Puree
Cut the stems off your pumpkins first.
Next, cut the pumpkins in half and scoop out the seeds.
Place the pumpkin halves onto a cookie sheet and roast them at 350 F (180 C) in your oven for 45-60 minutes.
Technically, you can also steam them, but roasting them brings out a lot more of their flavor.
Let them cool until they’re no longer hot to the touch, then peel the skin off.
Cut them into smaller pieces and put them into your food processor or blender. Instead of adding water, add the bone broth.
How much exactly depends on the amount of pumpkin flesh you’re looking to puree. Just add enough to create a smooth concoction!
Add This to Your Homemade Pumpkin Puree for Dogs to Make It Even Better: Bottom Line
As expected, Wally did great with the homemade pumpkin puree!
I gave him 3 smaller meals of just the puree before I added his raw dog food back into his daily routine.
By the way, you can totally have some of the pumpkin puree as well.
That’s if your pup won’t mind, ha!
But all kidding aside, it’s made of human-grade ingredients so go ahead, take a bite.
It’s really good, especially as part of a home cooked meal on those cooler fall and cold winter days.
Of course it would also make a great side dish for any Thanksgiving dinners.
One more thing – I also suggest to make a few extra batches before pumpkin season is over.
That way, you’ll be able to stock up and have some on hand when your pup’s feeling off outside of pumpkin season.
If you have enough freezer space, you can keep your extras in there up to a year.
Obviously, you could also pick up some plain pumpkin puree at the grocery store, but it’s just not the same.
The homemade version is always going to be a lot fresher and tastier!
Content Related to Pumpkin Puree for Dogs:
- How To Make Pumpkin Puree For Dogs and Pumpkin Pancakes For Yourself
- Slippery Elm for Dogs: What It Is, How To Make It & More
- Bone Broth for Dogs: Recipe and How to Feed
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