Even with all the excitement, Halloween can be quite overwhelming for families. As October wraps up

Many parents are juggling costume preparations, planning for trick-or-treating, and carving pumpkins while managing their already packed schedules.

When you finally manage to gather the family to carve pumpkins, things can become quite chaotic. Forget about capturing a nice family photo—it’s all about cleaning up the sticky seeds and pulp from the floor!

But what happens if your dog gets into it first? While some human foods, like carrots, are safe for dogs, others such as chocolate can be harmful. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.

Can dogs eat pumpkin?

Absolutely! Pure pumpkin is recommended by vets as it provides a beneficial source of fiber.

If your dog experiences digestive troubles, consider adding a tablespoon of canned pumpkin to their meals twice daily, suggests vet Diana Watkins from 143 Veterinary Services in Massachusetts. Moreover, it is seldom an allergen, meaning that most dogs can enjoy it without any adverse effects.

“It’s quite simple to incorporate into almost any dog’s diet if they’re experiencing a bit of diarrhea; it might help firm up their stools,” she explains.

Just ensure you’re using plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, as the latter contains added sugars and other ingredients that could be harmful to dogs. Additionally, avoid giving your dog large pieces of pumpkin, as they can take longer to digest and may result in further digestive issues, warns Watkins.

Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds?

If your dog has snacked on some pumpkin seeds, there’s no need to panic – according to Watkins, they are not poisonous. However, that doesn’t mean they should be a regular part of their diet.

“(Dogs) struggle to digest the shells of pumpkin seeds,” explains Watkins. “Typically, they just end up passing through the gastrointestinal tract.”

Consuming too many seeds can lead to digestive issues like an upset stomach, constipation, or diarrhea in dogs. However, if given in moderation, they’re generally safe.

Are pumpkin seeds beneficial for dogs?

According to Watkins, pumpkin seeds do not provide any nutritional advantages for dogs.

There is a common misconception that pumpkin seeds serve as a natural remedy for deworming dogs with parasites; however, Watkins clarifies that this is inaccurate.

“It doesn’t actually work,” Watki

According to ns, “If your pet has worms … you really just need to go to the vet and get a de-wormer.”