If you’ve asked for advice at the Barkery to treat your dog’s diarrhea, we’ve probably mentioned before that pumpkin is a good way to help resolve the issue. In this article by holistic veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds, we’ll take a closer look at pumpkin, why it’s used for management of diarrhea, and whether it might make sense for your companion animal.

Before we begin, however, please be aware that if your pet is experiencing diarrhea, a veterinarian should first determine if an underlying medical condition exists. Just like humans, pets can get diarrhea for many reasons, and you should know what you’re dealing with before trying to manage it. Severe diarrhea can also result in dehydration and loss of electrolytes, which can have serious consequences without medical intervention.

Once your veterinarian gives the “all-clear” to manage your pets diarrhea naturally, you can consider whether pumpkin is a viable alternative.

What is pumpkin?

Pumpkins are actually a fruit in the squash family. Like many fruits, pumpkins contain high amounts of fiber, which is important to digestive health.

What is fiber?

Fiber, also referred to as “roughage” or “bulk,” is any part of a plant that cannot be broken down and digested by the body’s enzymes (Mayo Clinic, 2012). Dietary fiber is found in all plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, beans, and seeds.

There are two types of fiber – soluble and insoluble – and most foods contain a combination of the two.

• Soluble fiber – As the name implies, this fiber is “soluble,” or breaks down in water. Soluble fiber absorbs water from the digestive tract, forming a gel-like substance that slows down the digestive process. Soluble fiber is found in foods such as oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley, psyllium, and pumpkin.
• Insoluble fiber – This fiber adds bulk to the stool and tends to speed up the passage of food through the digestive tract. Insoluble fiber is found in foods such as whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts, beans, and certain vegetables like cauliflower, green beans, and potatoes.

The soluble fiber in pumpkin slows digestion, which is beneficial in the management of diarrhea. And, since it absorbs water, it “bulks” up the stool, helping control the loose, water stools characteristic of diarrhea. Clinical studies show that soluble fiber helps regulate stool frequency and consistency in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

While insoluble fiber can benefit those suffering from constipation, it’s best to avoid feeding too much insoluble fiber to animals suffering from diarrhea, since it can act as a natural laxative.

Incorporating pumpkin into  your pet’s diet

Canned pumpkin is an excellent source of dietary fiber, with about 7 grams of fiber in a one cup serving, and it’s conveniently available at your nearest Barkery or grocery store. Just be sure that pumpkin is the only ingredient, you don’t want any added salt or spices.

Feeding your pet pumpkin has additional benefits. It’s packed full of nutrients, including beta-carotene, zinc, iron, vitamin A and potassium. And, since fiber provides a feeling of fullness, it can be used as a supplement for overweight pets when reducing daily caloric intake.

The amount of canned pumpkin you feed will depend on your dogs weight. We suggested working up to 1 tablespoon per day for smaller dogs and 2 tablespoons per day for larger dogs. However, be sure you don’t add too much too soon. Too much canned pumpkin can cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, and cramping. To avoid these effects, incorporate small amounts of pumpkin slowly and work your way up to the suggested dose. This will allow the bacteria in the digestive tract to adjust to the increased fiber.

The bottom line

If your dog or cat suffers from mild to moderate diarrhea, and your veterinarian has ruled out a serious underlying condition, the soluble fiber found in pumpkin may help relieve the symptoms. Just be sure to introduce it slowly and feed in moderation. Also, encourage your pet to drink plenty of fresh water. Proper hydration is key in helping the soluble fiber do its job.

If your pet could use some fiber in his or her diet, stop in your nearest Barkery and speak with a nutrition specialist today.

By Dr. Karen Becker

There’s a warm weather menace lurking in the environment many dog parents have never even heard of, and while I hate to throw a monkey wrench into anyone’s summertime fun, I feel it’s my duty to raise awareness about the dangers of blue-green algae.

Every summer there are reports of pet deaths after exposure to these toxic algae. Between 2007 and 2011, 13 states (Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, Wisconsin, California, Kansas, Montana and Texas) reported 67 suspected or confirmed cases of dogs being poisoned through exposure to harmful algae blooms.¹ The dogs came in contact with the algae in a variety of ways:

• 58 were in fresh water, one was in marine water and nine exposure sources were unknown
• Nine dogs were made sick by inhaling the blooms, six ingested the blooms, 36 were exposed through the skin with accompanying ingestion and 16 had unknown contact
• 29 dogs had gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting and diarrhea)
• Other symptoms included lethargy (12 cases) and neurologic signs, including stumbling or change in behavior (six cases)

While the most common victims of blue-green algae are dogs, other animals are also at risk, including cats, birds, horses, livestock and wildlife that drink from contaminated bodies of water, or groom themselves after a swim. In humans, exposure to harmful algae can cause a skin rash, hives, runny nose, irritated eyes and throat irritation. If water containing the toxic blooms is swallowed it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, throat irritation and muscle pain.

Blue-Green Algae Contain Deadly Bacteria

Blue-green algae contain deadly microorganisms called cyanobacteria, which are microscopic organisms found in freshwater lakes, streams, ponds (including backyard ponds) and brackish (salty) water ecosystems.

The algae give the water a blue-green or “pea soup” appearance. It looks almost as if someone spilled blue or green paint on the surface of the water. These floating blooms can form thick, dense mats that collect near the shore, which is where animals and people come in contact with them.

Blue-green algae are prevalent in the mid-to-late summer months and are most often found in nutrient-rich water. The algae tends to bloom in locations where there is heat and low water flow combined with high levels of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. This type of blue-green algae is different from the species that is considered a superfood. It can be very confusing to pet parents to hear about toxic algae blooms because many feed medicinal algae to their pets as a whole food supplement.

The algae grown in controlled environments for the nutraceutical, supplement and food industries are entirely different than the algae that naturally bloom in lakes and ponds. Spirulina and other types of health-giving algae are popular supplements and have been proven to be safe and very beneficial.

Blue-Green Algae Toxicity in Animals

Not all blue-green algae are toxic, but there’s no way to know whether a plant is poisonous without testing. According to the Food Poisoning Bulletin:

“There is no way to tell if a blue-green algal bloom is toxic by looking at it. The harmful blooms look like pea soup, green paint, or floating mats of scum. They sometimes have a bad smell. But these blooms aren’t always large and dense and can be present in a lake with little visible algae.

Before you, your children, or your pets go into the water, look at the lake closely to see if there is algae on the water or on the shore.”²

Experts advise that all blooms floating on natural bodies of water should be considered potentially toxic. Even minor exposure, such as a dog drinking a few mouthfuls of contaminated water, can be lethal. Symptoms of blue-green algae toxicity include:

Symptoms depend on the toxin involved. Toxins that attack the liver cause elevated liver enzymes, low blood sugar, low protein and occasionally, abnormal clotting activity. These toxins can result in liver damage or failure and immediate aggressive treatment is necessary to save the animal.

Exposure to another type of toxin found in blue-green algae, anatoxins, results in nervous system symptoms and can bring death in minutes to hours due to respiratory paralysis.

Exposure to Blue-Green Algae Is a Medical Emergency

It’s important to understand that no antidote currently exists for the toxins produced by blue-green algae. If you suspect your pet has been exposed, rinse him with fresh water, administer high-potency homeopathic Nux Vomica if possible and seek immediate emergency veterinary care.

Your veterinarian or emergency animal hospital staff may induce vomiting if your dog isn’t yet showing signs of poisoning. Symptomatic patients may need to be hospitalized to receive life-saving treatments such as intravenous (IV) fluids, medications to control seizures or vomiting, oxygen therapy and blood transfusions.

Unfortunately, death may occur within hours of exposure, even with aggressive treatment, which is why preventing exposure is so important. If you see a body of water that is a greenish color, play it safe and steer clear.