It has a soft rind and deliciously sweet flavor, but can dogs eat delicata squash? Is it good for them? Read this guide to learn more.
One of the most recognizable types of winter squash, delicata squash is also known for being incredibly nutritious. So, should you add it to your dog’s diet? As a caring pet parent, I researched what delicata squash is and how safe it is for dogs to eat. Here’s the information to know before sharing it with your pup.
For ultimate pet safety, please ask your vet any questions you have regarding your dog eating delicata squash.
What Is Delicata Squash?
The name gives you some clues about what it is. Yes, it’s a winter squash (that means it is harvested late in the season). But what about the word delicata?
That describes the texture of the outer rind. It’s particularly soft, or delicate. It has the same cylindrical shape as a yellow squash, but delicata has either green or orange stripes.
It goes by a lot of different names. You might hear it called a peanut squash, Bohemian squash, or sweet potato squash.
It’s in the Cucurbita pepo family. So, it’s related to different types of summer squash – zucchini and yellow summer squash (and, surprisingly, winter squash like acorn or spaghetti squash). It has hard flesh, like a winter squash, with a soft outer layer, like a summer squash.
Here is where it gets confusing. Is a delicata 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.
Health Benefits
A delicata squash is considered to be a very nutritious type of squash. There are only 82 calories in a cup of cooked delicata squash. Here’s a quick glance at more benefits of it.
- Anti-oxidants that fight disease-causing free radicals
- Iron which is good for blood clotting and heart health.
- It is a good source of calcium that helps build strong bones
- Vitamin C for the immune system
- High fiber that’s good for digestion and weight loss.
- Vitamin A that supports strong eyes and vision.
- Vitamin B which is known to boost energy levels.
As you can see, delicata squash has a high nutritional value.
Yes, It’s Safe For Dogs
Good news dog owners! Just like other types of squash, delicata squash is safe for your dog to eat in small amounts. It’s even good for them, so you can add it to their dog food guilt-free. 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 delicata 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 delicata squash won’t hurt them.
Remember to cook the squash before you give it to them. Raw 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. Even though delicata squash has a thinner skin, it’s still best to peel it first.
Control How Much They Eat
Before giving your dog a bowl of delicata squash, consider what is cooked with it and how much fiber your dog ate that day.
Dogs just can’t digest a lot of fiber. They aren’t built that way. 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.
On the flip side, all this 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 delicata 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 It First
Don’t give your dog raw squash. Cook delicata squash before giving it to your dog. Raw squash 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 delicata 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 delicata squash and mix it into your dog’s food.
Final Thoughts
The short answer is that dogs can safely eat delicata squash. They are as nutritious as sweet potatoes and contain many essential nutrients that pups need. Small amounts 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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