Why
Pumpkin is low in calories and high in fiber and water. That combination is why vets sometimes add plain canned pumpkin to a cat's wet food for mild constipation, and occasionally for loose stools, where the fiber can add bulk. Some commercial cat foods include pumpkin for the same fiber benefit.
It is still a vegetable given to an obligate carnivore. Cats rely on nutrients found in animal products, and pumpkin does not replace any part of a complete cat food. Think of it as a small add-in, not a food group.
What to watch out for
- Pumpkin pie filling or pie mix, which contains sugar and spices
- Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice, which can upset a cat's stomach
- Too much pumpkin, which can itself cause diarrhea
- Raw pumpkin, the tough skin and the stem, which are hard to digest
- Using pumpkin to treat ongoing constipation or diarrhea at home instead of finding the cause
How to serve it
- Use 100% pure canned pumpkin with no other ingredients, or steamed or baked pumpkin flesh mashed with nothing added.
- Stir a small amount into your cat's wet food. Many cats will not eat it on its own.
- Start with a little and see how your cat's stools respond over a day or two.
- Freeze leftover canned pumpkin in an ice cube tray. An opened can keeps only a few days in the fridge.
How much?
For a healthy cat, about a teaspoon of pumpkin mixed into a meal is plenty as an occasional extra. When vets use pumpkin for a specific problem the amount may be larger; PetMD's veterinary guide mentions 2 to 4 teaspoons added to canned food for mild constipation. Follow your own vet's advice for your cat.
Pumpkin for constipation, and when to call the vet
Canned pumpkin adds fiber and water, and wet food adds more water, which is why the two are often combined for a cat with mild constipation. VCA Animal Hospitals lists high-fiber diets among the options for mildly affected cats. But constipation has many causes, including hairballs, obesity, arthritis pain, a narrowed pelvis after an injury and megacolon, and some of these need proper treatment.
Call your vet instead of relying on pumpkin if:
- Your cat has not passed stool within 48 to 72 hours of the last bowel movement
- Your cat keeps going in and out of the litter box or strains with little result. Straining to urinate can look the same and is an emergency, especially in male cats
- There is vomiting, loss of appetite or lethargy
- You see blood in the stool
- Constipation or diarrhea keeps coming back
Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin pie
Pumpkin seeds are not toxic, but whole seeds can be a choking hazard and too many could cause a blockage. If you share any, use a few plain seeds with no salt, oil or seasoning, and crush them first.
A small lick of pumpkin pie filling is unlikely to cause harm, but if your cat eats more than that, call your vet. Pumpkin spice lattes and baked goods add dairy, sugar and spice blends and are not worth sharing.
Common questions
Is pumpkin good for cats?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Pumpkin is low in calories and high in fiber and water. That combination is why vets sometimes add plain canned pumpkin to a cat's wet food for mild constipation, and occasionally for loose stools, where the fiber can add bulk.
Is pumpkin bad for cats?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: pumpkin pie filling or pie mix, which contains sugar and spices.
Are cats allowed to have pumpkin?
Yes. Use 100% pure canned pumpkin with no other ingredients, or steamed or baked pumpkin flesh mashed with nothing added.
Is canned pumpkin the same as pumpkin pie filling?
No. Plain canned pumpkin lists one ingredient: pumpkin. Pie filling, sometimes sold as pie mix, is already sweetened and spiced. The cans look similar, so read the ingredient list, not just the front label.
Can kittens eat pumpkin?
A tiny amount of plain pumpkin is unlikely to harm a healthy kitten, but kittens have small stomachs and need their food to count toward growth. Check with your vet first, especially if the kitten has diarrhea, which can become serious quickly in young animals.
Sources
- PetMD. Can Cats Eat Pumpkin? (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP)
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Constipation in Cats.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
If your cat has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control service right away, even if your cat seems fine. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.