You are a squash person. Summer squash? Yes. Pumpkin? Yes. Winter squash…… YES! All year long you have a delicious sidecar to your main, but can your pup get in on the squash action?

Yes! Squash in most forms is a healthy treat for your pup. 

With winter squash such as acorn squash, butternut squash, pumpkin or spaghetti squash be sure to remove the outer shell. The shell is hard to digest and poses choking and internal blockage risks. Remove the inner seeds and strings. Chop the flesh into chunks that are appropriately sized for your dog.

You can serve the squash raw, steamed or baked plain without seasoning, salt or oil. Salt can cause salt toxicity. Human seasonings are also often toxic to dogs. Adding oil or butter to your dog’s food will cause gestational irritation and unnecessary weight gain.

Summer squash such as zucchini and yellow squash are also a tasty low calorie treat option for your pup. Peel your squash and remove some of the inner seeds. They may not seem troublesome like other squash seeds because they are soft, but too many seeds will cause gastrointestinal issues. You can serve the squash raw or  steam and bake the squash without seasoning, salt or oil.  

As with all human food, be mindful to keep your treats to a moderate level.