Boo! 👻 The spooky season is upon us, and we cannot wait for cozy nights by the fire,
trick-or-treating, and pumpkin-flavored everything! The holiday season brings a lot of excitement, but what makes it even better is involving your furry, four-legged family members in the celebrations. Did you know they can enjoy seasonal flavors and ingredients just like us?
Pumpkin is one of the most important fall-time flavors. Pumpkin pie, anyone? Or a pumpkin-spiced latte? But did you know that pumpkins also provide many health benefits in addition to flavor? According to registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook, writing for BBC Good Food, these pretty, colorful members of the squash family are excellent sources of vitamins A, C, and E. They can support healthier skin, eyes, and a stronger immune system! For dogs, pumpkin is a superfood. All the vitamins also benefit man’s best friend, and pumpkin is known to be super beneficial for their digestive systems. Because of its high soluble fiber content, pumpkin can help soothe the stomach and improve digestion. Pumpkin is also full of prebiotics, which help support the existence of essential bacteria in the digestive tract.
Another traditionally festive flavor is cranberry – often associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. This little berry is chock-full of antioxidants and is often considered a superfood! Research shows that cranberries can help reduce cardiovascular disease risk, slow cancer progression, and manage urinary tract infections. And they’re also safe – and healthy – for your dog! According to PetMD, cranberries can help your dog’s bladder and oral health and help reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and more!
So, how can we involve these delicious, healthy plants in the celebration with our furry friends? Here are a few ideas!
- Make treats
Why not involve your dog in your holiday trick-or-treating and bake them a little treat (hold the trick)? This recipe for pumpkin and peanut butter treats is sure to get them in the holiday spirit!
- Pumpkin carving
Let your dog be part of the pumpkin carving this year! Raw pumpkin is safe for dogs to eat, so let them feast while you carve their picture onto a pumpkin! If you find it tricky, here are a few stencils that can help.
- Photoshoot
Who doesn’t love a fall-themed photo shoot? Line up your family – including your furry family members – in front of the lovely pumpkins you just carved, offer up the delicious treats you just baked, and make a day of it!
We hope you’re looking forward to this holiday season as much as we are and that you’ll get to celebrate the holidays with your pets. And keep your eyes peeled – PawCo may just have something delicious in the works! Our vet-approved vegan pet food is complete, healthy, and balanced, and our delicious, holiday-appropriate new flavor is coming soon!