Benefits of Pumpkin for Your PONS

 

Recent scientific studies and in particular, a study by the USDA have indicated that diets high in pumpkin as a fiber source, tended to curb the appetite, and provide  high nutrition. Pumpkins are packed with beta carotene, which is an antioxidant with properties that can help improve immune function and reduce the risk for chronic health conditions such as Cancer and heart disease. Offering your Pon a daily portion of pumpkin will provide nearly three grams of fiber, making it a healthful addition to any diet choice. In times gone by, fiber was considered a filler, but these days, the nutritional value of fiber in a canine diet has been studied and given significant value.

We know the benefits of fiber in our own diet, but some owners may question the benefits of fiber in a dog's diet. What exactly is fiber?  It is a part of carbohydrates.  Fiber is not highly digestible by the body. Your Pon's diet can benefit from fiber in appropriate amounts, but similar to humans, too much fiber in a diet can have negative effects on the digestive system.  It is always important to monitor your dog's diet to maintain a healthy level of fiber to suit your Pon's needs.  Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of fiber in your Pon's diet and craft an individual diet to suit him. What works well for one Pon may not work as well for another Pon.

 

How does fiber help keep your Pon's system functioning ?  Fiber absorbs water.  With the absorption of water in the fiber, the contents in the intestine have more bulk.  This is what causes the movement along the intestinal tract.  The passage time through the bowel becomes more normalized and regular. Healthy amounts of fiber in your Pon's diet will contribute to regular stool movement. This will become apparent when your Pon relieves himself on a regular basis.

. Pons who achieve their desired weight goal may tend to need a bit extra fiber (pumpkin fits this need) to maintain desired weight. When you combine fiber with strict portion control, you will  create a canine diet that is both healthy and satisfying for your Pon. Senior Pons tend to have constipation more frequently than younger Pons and for this reason, require higher fiber in their diets. Fiber also helps to control blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugar from the intestine.

Pumpkin meat is very high in carotenoids. They're what give pumpkins their orange color—but that's the least of their benefits. Carotenoids are really good at neutralizing free radicals, nasty molecules that can attack cell membranes and leave the cells vulnerable to damage.

 Pumpkins are also high in lutein and zeaxanthin, which scavenge free radicals in the lens of the eye. Therefore, they may help prevent the formation of cataracts and reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious eye problem which usually results in blindness.

 

Discuss the benefits of pumpkin with your vet and make an informed decision about the correct amount of fiber and pumpkin for your Pon. Nutritional needs of Pons vary and solutions also vary as well.