Can Dogs Eat Acorn Squash? What You Need To Know

As you cook this fall vegetable, you might wonder, “can dogs eat acorn squash?” It might be known as a healthy vegetable, but there are some things you need to know before you share it with your furry friend.

Since acorn squash is a vegetable, you might think adding it to your dog’s diet is OK. But before introducing new foods like this to your dog, read this guide. We will look closely at what an acorn squash is and how safe it is for dogs.

For ultimate pet safety, please ask your vet any questions you have regarding your dog eating acorn squash.

What Is An Acorn Squash

Don’t let the name fool you. An acorn squash isn’t related to acorns. Acorns are the nut of an oak tree. An acorn squash is a winter squash that grows underground.

What is it related to? It’s in the Cucurbitaceaeor gourd family. So, it’s related to pumpkins, butternut squash, and (surprisingly) zucchini and yellow squash.

Here is where it gets confusing. Is an acorn squash a fruit or a vegetable? It’s both. Most people call it a vegetable, so that’s what it’s commonly known as. But since it has seeds on the inside and develops from the flower part of the plant, it’s botanically considered a fruit.

Let’s just call it a vegetable.

It’s called an acorn squash because it’s shaped like an acorn. They are yellow-orange on the inside and have a sweet and nutty flavor.

Health Benefits

Acorn squash is considered to be a very nutritious type of squash. There are only 115 calories in a cup of cooked acorn squash. Here’s a quick glance at more benefits of it.

Anti-oxidants that fight disease-causing free radicals
Vitamin B which is known to boost energy levels.
Iron which is good for blood clotting and heart health.
It is a good source of potassium and lowers the risk of stroke and high blood pressure.
Vitamin C for the immune system
High fiber that’s good for digestion and weight loss.
Vitamin K that helps strengthen your dog’s bones.
Magnesium is another nutrient that helps protect your dog’s bones.

As you can see, acorn squash has a high nutritional value.

Yes, It’s Safe For Dogs

Good news dog owners! Acorn squash is safe and even nutritious for your dog to eat. It’s nontoxic and doesn’t contain anything that might make your fur baby sick.

Dietary fiber can be a good part of a balanced diet for your dog. In fact, According to the American Kennel Club, “the best types of squash to feed your dog are butternut squash, pumpkin, zucchini, and acorn squash.”

The biggest risk of acorn squash is what it’s cooked with, how it’s cooked, and how much of it your dog eats. But giving your dog a bite or two of cooked acorn squash won’t hurt them.

Remember to cook them. Raw acorn squash is really difficult for dogs to digest.

You should also remember to remove the seeds and skin before giving it to your furry best friend. The seeds and skin are a choking hazard, so remove those potential risks.

Control How Much They Eat

Before giving your dog a bowl of acorn squash, consider what is cooked with it and how much fiber your dog ate that day.

The biggest concern is all that fiber. If dogs eat too much fiber, it can lead to stomach upset, like diarrhea and vomiting. Your dog’s digestive system isn’t set up to digest too much fiber, even from healthy foods like squash.

The fiber can be good for your dog’s constipation. (It sure makes them have to go!) But if your canine companion has digestive issues like loose stools, don’t give them more fiber – even from healthy sources like acorn squash.

And remember to introduce new food to your dog slowly. Give them some small pieces, a little bit at a time, and watch for adverse reactions. This will be easier on your dog’s stomach.

Cook Them First

It’s also very important to cook acorn squash before giving it to your dog. Raw squash, especially the tough outer peel, is very difficult for dogs to digest, and dogs that eat them are at risk for gastrointestinal upset.

Cook them by boiling or roasting them without adding salt and very little oil. Dogs don’t need extra spices added to their food. For more information, check out my guide for spices dogs can and cannot eat.

How Much To Give Your Dog

Since acorn squash is safe and good for your dog, how much should they eat? That depends on how much fiber your dog ate from all other sources (like carrots or peas) that day.

The Dog Food Advisor suggests fiber from whole foods only makes up about 2.5-4.5% of their total calories. Figuring this out takes a bit of math. The Animal Medical Center of Chicago has a helpful table that outlines how many calories dogs need for their age and size.

For example, a 12-pound, healthy adult dog needs about 400 calories a day. So 3% of 400 calories is around 12 calories from fiber. It’s not much, and most dogs get that much from their dog food or treats.

The best way to share this healthy treat with your four-legged friend is to cut up a small amount into bite-sized pieces. Then, cook the acorn squash and mix it into your dog’s food.

You can also make dog treats with acorn squash.

Final Thoughts

The short answer is that dogs can safely eat acorn squash. They are as nutritious as sweet potatoes and contain many essential nutrients that pups need. Small amounts of acorn squash are safe to add to your dog’s diet as a treat. Just ensure you only give your canine companions small portions so the high fiber content doesn’t cause digestive issues.

More Dog Food Resources

Here are even more resources about different types of vegetables dogs can eat or ones harmful to dogs.

Find lots of articles about human food dogs can eat here on Spoiled Hounds!

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