Can Cats Eat Pumpkin?

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A seasonal favorite for humans, you might find yourself wondering: can cats have pumpkin? In short, yes—but only the pure stuff. See why pumpkin can be good for cats, and what pumpkin treats are best shared with your human comrades.

Cats can eat plain ol' pumpkin. But not too much.
Vets lean on pumpkin to naturally resolve constipation in cats.
Cats can't eat seasonal pumpkin-flavored treats because the spices and sugars in these can be dangerous.

Pumpkin for Cats

Pumpkin is not only safe for cats, it's a common solution vets turn to for feline constipation. While it's objectively easier to grab a can of plain (unsweetened, no spices) pumpkin from the local market, you could also go DIY and cook a fresh squash in the oven. It's essential that the pumpkin you serve to your cat does not have any added ingredients, such as spices or sugars. It's also important that your cat doesn't consume any pumpkin stem, skin, pulp, or seeds as these have no nutritional value for cats. We'd suggest turning to pumpkin as an additive to your cat's primary food only if your vet recommends it—too much pumpkin in your cat's diet could lead to diarrhea.

Benefits of Pumpkin for Cats

Pumpkin is packed with fiber, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and other vitamins like A, C, and K—making it great for solving upset stomachs. Fiber in pumpkin reduces excess moisture in the digestive tract while acting as a binder in stools to remedy diarrhea. The moisture content in pumpkin helps with alleviating constipation too. Because pumpkins are extremely potent when it comes to nutrition, it's important to moderate use of squash in your cat's food. If your cat has flatulence, stomach rumbles, issues defecating, it's best to stop feeding them pumpkin.

Cats Should Avoid Pumpkin Spice Sweets

Anything that isn't pure pumpkin shouldn't be shared with your feline friend. And hey—more for you, right?

Pumpkin pie, PSLs, and pumpkin bars should never be eaten by cats. The excess sugars, fats and spices found in these treats are not only unhealthy for them, they could be dangerous. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice alone can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and heart or liver issues in cats.

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