People Go Crazy For It, But What About Pumpkin Spice For Pets?
You can go ahead and try, but each fall it gets increasingly harder to escape “pumpkin spice”. It’s everywhere! People definitely go crazy for pumpkin spice lattes, but you can find the flavoring in baked goods, air fresheners, and even personal care products.
While unsweetened, cooked pumpkin is generally considered a safe food for pets, the high fiber content can cause some disruption in the GI tract. Is there a way to safely share the wonder that is pumpkin spice with our best buds? Absolutely, and your friends at Rocklin Ranch have some ideas that feature pumpkin spice for pets.
Sharing Is Caring
The pumpkin spice trend seems to start earlier each year. Now enthusiasts can purchase coffee drinks, baked goods, soups, ice creams, beer and more as early as August.
Pumpkin is a natural treat for many pets, but because it’s usually mixed with spices like clove, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon, there are definite and frightening risks of toxicity.
The Other Thing
Similarly, baked goods can contain the artificial sweetener Xylitol, a common culprit in pet poisonings. High fat content from butter or oils can make pets sick with dangerous symptoms of pancreatitis. Pumpkin spice drinks that contains alcohol or caffeine should be strictly off-limits to pets.
Close Calls
To avoid a pet emergency this fall, please be on the lookout for any of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Changes in heart rate
- Lowered blood sugar
- Disorientation
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
Often with exposure to dangerous ingredients, serious damage to the liver or pancreas can occur. Please call Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital immediately.
Pumpkin Spice for Pets
It’s not all doom and gloom this fall! There are many safe ways you can share pumpkin spice with your four-legged friend.
Check out our favorite nutritious Halloween pet treats for inspiration. Or you can try your hand at this pumpkin spice dog treat recipe or pumpkin spice latte treats.
Lots of owners agree that this easy-to-make latte recipe with pumpkin spice for pets is the way to go. You can also easily share the love of pumpkin by filling a Kong with pureed, unsweetened canned pumpkin.
Happy Fall!
Your pet’s safety is our number one concern this time of year. Pumpkin spice for pets may seem like a no-brainer, but only when careful consideration is the priority. You can also help your pet celebrate with an adorable, comfortable sweater, seasonal collar, bowtie or bandana, or simply indulge them with extra exercise or snuggle time.