09/07/2024
Pumpkin seeds are the superstars of natural deworming, & make it so you'll never have to use a toxic med again.
I use Gerbs, raw, unsalted, in the shell, pumpkin seeds: https://amzn.to/3ICdu0t
Coffee bean grinder: https://amzn.to/49QlAPd
This grinder is inexpensive & mine has held up without a single issue for years!
Pumpkin seeds contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin, which has natural deworming properties for dogs. When dogs ingest pumpkin seeds, cucurbitacin paralyzes & eliminates certain types of intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms & roundworms, helping to expel them from the dog's digestive tract.
Overall the research suggests that pumpkin seeds can be used to kill the following parasites as well:
Ascaridia galli {roundworms found in poultry}
Ascaris suum {roundworms found in pigs}
Fasciola gigantica {flatworm, specifically liver flukes}
Hymenolepsis nana {dwarf tapeworm}
Schistosoma mansoni {flatworms, specifically a blood fluke}
Taenia {tapeworms}
Trychostrongylus {hairworms & threadworms}
There’s more to pumpkin seeds than just being a dewormer. They also have lots of other beneficial properties beyond deworming, so they are a good addition to your dog's diet.
Pumpkin seeds can help your dog to:
Reduce inflammation
Lower risk of developing cancer
Prevent arthritis
Reduce oxidative damage
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How To Feed
When feeding, use the raw seeds, not salted or cooked. Make sure you are grinding/feeding the whole pumpkin seed. If you can, choose organic.
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Side note on the shells & why we feed them:
Pumpkin seed shells, also known as hulls or husks, contain several nutrients. Some of the nutrients found in pumpkin seed shells include:
Fiber: Pumpkin seed shells are rich in dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health & helps to regulate bowel movements.
Protein: Pumpkin seed shells contain some protein, although the amount may be lower compared to the seeds themselves. Protein is essential for muscle repair & growth.
Minerals: Pumpkin seed shells contain minerals such as magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, & zinc, & you already learned how important these are in our dogs diet.
Antioxidants: Like pumpkin seeds, the shells also contain antioxidants such as carotenoids & vitamin E, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
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Pumpkin seeds are mostly fat, so it’s important to store them away from heat. You can put them in your pantry if it’s cool. Otherwise, store them in your fridge.
As a general guideline, you can start by adding about 1 teaspoon of ground pumpkin seeds per 10 pounds of body weight to your dog's food.
For example:
- For a small dog weighing around 10 pounds, start with about 1/2 teaspoon of ground pumpkin seeds, work up to 1 tsp.
- For a medium-sized dog weighing around 30 pounds, start with about 1 & 1/2 teaspoons & work up to 3 (=1 tablespoon) of ground pumpkin seeds.
- For a large dog weighing 60+ pounds, start with about 3 teaspoons & work up to 6 (2 tablespoons) of ground pumpkin seeds.
I suggest splitting the amounts over the 2 meals you feed a day.
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Important to note 📣
I promise you I don't recommend a certain type without reason. You need raw, unsalted, pumpkin seeds WITH THE SHELL. Pumpkin seeds without the shell are pepetias & they do NOT work for deworming.
Pumpkin seeds, including the shell, contain a compound called cucurbitacin, which is what is needed for its deworming properties to work in dogs. It's the fiber of the shell that helps to naturally expel parasites from the digestive tract.
🎃 This is not our article but a shared article.