Spoiling our dogs with whatever food they want to eat is one of the best things we can do to show our compassion and love for our furry companions.
However, not all foods are safe and healthy for dogs. You can’t give your dog anything they like to satisfy their appetite.
A good example of this is Gourds.
But can dogs eat Gourds?
Yes, dogs can eat Gourds as long as this is in moderation. Gourds are rich in vitamins and nutrients, making them healthy for dogs. But not all of them are safe because some variants pose health risks to dogs.
In this article, we’ll discuss Gourds and whether they are safe for dogs. We’ll also show you the health benefits dogs can get from eating them and the risks involved.
What Are Gourds?
Gourds are cultivated crop plants that belong to the Cucurbitaceae family. This includes cucumbers, pumpkins, luffa, squash, and melons.
Gourds are similar in shape and texture because most have a hard and non-edible shell. These non-edible parts are used as decorative elements like home decors. Some are also used as utensils.
Are Gourds Safe For Dogs?
Most varieties of Gourds are safe for dogs because they are rich in nutrients like fiber, zinc, iron, potassium, and Vitamins A and C.
These nutrients are responsible for improving your dog’s digestion and immune system, making them healthier and live longer.
However, some types of Gourds are harmful to dogs, such as the Japanese Winter Squash, because its texture is hard to digest and can cause choking and intestinal blockage.
Ensure that the Gourds you give your dog don’t have any seeds because these can also provide choking hazards. Regularly eating seeds can also cause pancreatitis in the long run because of its chemical compounds that trigger abnormal pancreatic functions.
Can Gourds Poison Dogs?
Gourds like squash, pumpkin, melon, and cucumber aren’t poisonous to dogs. In fact, these are healthy for their bodies as long as they eat them in moderation.
These vegetables are rich in fiber, potassium, zinc, and Vitamins B and C, which strengthen the immune and digestive systems.
However, you should wash the Gourds properly before giving them to your dog. You shouldn’t also give decorative Gourds to your dog because these are inedible. Only give your dog edible Gourds like fresh melon, cucumber, pumpkin, and squash.
What Are The Different Types Of Gourds?
Ornamental Gourds
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear Gourds are the home decors. These types of Gourds are used for ornamental purposes and come in different colors, shapes, and sizes.
These are inedible and shouldn’t be given to dogs because they can cause an intestinal blockage which might require surgery.
Make sure that the ornamental Gourds are far from your dog’s reach because they are very attractive and might entice your pet to gobble them up in whole if you leave them unattended.
Hard-shell Gourds
Hard-shell Gourds are another type of inedible Gourds that are used as materials for utensils and containers.
These are also used to build storage boxes, birdhouses, and dippers, because of their solid texture and rigid composition. Make sure your dog doesn’t eat these because they can cause choking and could lead to suffocation and death.
Fruit Gourds
Fruit Gourds are the ones that your dog can eat. Some of the most popular Fruit Gourds are cucumbers, squash, melon, and pumpkins.
These are safe and healthy for dogs because they are rich in fiber, potassium, copper, and Vitamins B, C, and K, which help strengthen the immune system and boost energy levels. Just ensure they don’t overeat because Fruit Gourds can cause diarrhea if overeaten.
What Gourds Are Safe For Dogs?
Raw Gourds
Raw Gourds are safe for dogs because they don’t have any added chemicals, preservatives, or artificial ingredients to enhance their looks and flavor.
These also have the highest amount of nutrients available because it’s raw. Just ensure they’re edible and washed thoroughly to avoid indigestion problems and parasitic infections.
Bitter Gourds
Bitter Gourds are safe for dogs whether they’re cooked or raw. These contain high levels of fiber which can help improve your dog’s digestion system. It helps your dog maintain a regular bowel schedule and improves their stool quality.
Bottle Gourds
Bottle Gourds are another safe type of Gourds for dogs. However, they should be cooked and boiled thoroughly to get rid of the germs and pests that might be inside the fruit. Bottle Gourds are rich in fiber and Vitamin C, which can improve your dog’s immune and digestive systems.
Ash Gourds
Ash Gourds are a great source of vitamins and minerals essential to your dog’s proper growth and development. This helps boost metabolism, which aids in weight loss and fitness. We recommend you give young Ash Gourds to your dog because they’re easier to chew on.
Why Shouldn’t Dogs Overeat Gourds?
Choking
Choking is one of the biggest reasons why dogs shouldn’t overeat Gourds. Gourds have a hard shell-like cover that is hard to chew and digest.
This can cause choking, especially if the dog immediately swallowed up a whole piece. Some Gourds, like melons, also have seeds that can choke your dog and block air from entering.
Diarrhea
Gourds are fruits that are rich in fiber. Although fiber is healthy for the body because it improves the digestive system, too much of this can cause indigestion problems.
This happens because having too much fiber inside the stomach makes it harder for the organs to digest. This leads to diarrhea because of the excess water around the stool.
Stomach Pains
Overeating Gourds can lead to stomach pain because of their high fiber and water content. These can cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, stomach pain, and gas buildup. Avoid giving too much Gourds to your dog if you want them to stay fit and healthy.
Insecticide Poisoning
Insecticide poisoning is a risk if you feed your dog with fresh Gourds. There’s a possibility that Gourds like pumpkin, squash, and melon are sprayed with insecticides on the farm before they are harvested.
Immediately giving them to your dog will surely harm their health because insecticides are very poisonous.
Obesity
Overeating Gourds can lead to obesity, especially if cooked and added with oil, salt, sugar, and other artificial additives. These ingredients are commonly used to enhance the taste of fresh fruits.
Unfortunately, they are harmful to dogs because their digestive system isn’t designed to process such tasty and flavorful ingredients. This can cause obesity and complicate more severe illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.
Loss Of Appetite
Dogs can easily lose appetite if they overeat Gourds because they can be overwhelmed with the new and unique texture.
Gourds also have a juicy taste and soft texture, making them addicted to these fruits. There’s a good chance your dog won’t have any appetite to eat their main meal that is healthier and packed with more nutrition.
Are Gourds Healthy For Dogs?
Yes, natural fresh fruit Gourds like melon, squash, and pumpkin are healthy for dogs because they are rich in Vitamins A, C, and B6.
These improve your dog’s nerve function, immune system, and vision while slowing down the signs of aging. The potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium present in squash can also improve your dog’s coat, making it shinier and thicker.
If you want your dog to look good, you should regularly give them Gourds, specifically squash and melon.
What Are The Best Alternatives To Gourds?
Greek Yogurt is one of the best alternatives to Gourds you can give your dog. It’s rich in calcium and protein, which are essential nutrients to strengthen your dog’s bones and boost muscle buildup.
This also acts as a natural probiotic that helps improve your dog’s digestive health. Greek Yogurt also has low-fat content, making it great for weight loss.
Fresh fruits like bananas, apples, and oranges are also great alternatives to Gourds because they’re easier to digest and are less likely to choke your dog. These are rich in vitamins and nutrients to boost proper growth and development.
So, Can Dogs Eat Gourds?
Yes, dogs can eat Gourds as long as it’s in moderation.
Gourds is a general term used to call fruits with a hard shell-like covering like melons, squash, and pumpkin.
These are rich in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and Vitamins B, C, and K, which can strengthen your dog’s digestive and immune systems.