Can dogs eat Butternut Squash?

Read on to get all your answers on why butternut squash is such a healthy addition to a well-balanced doggo diet. 

Is butternut squash good for dogs?

Yes! It’s one of the healthiest veggies a dog can eat, with lots of nutrients to benefit a dog’s body - plus they love the sweet flavour. When prepared correctly it’s also great for digestion and for helping a dog feel full. 

What are the health benefits?

Let’s dive into the various nutrients of butternut squash and how they can benefit your dog’s health:

Good source of dietary fibre, so is excellent for smooth digestion in dogs and promotes healthy bowel movements. 

Rich in vitamins A and C, integral for boosted immunity, as well as overall eye and skin health. 

Minerals like potassium and manganese, important for healthy blood, enzyme and metabolic function. 

Lots of antioxidants such as beta carotene, to fight off free radicals and keep the physical body healthy. 

Low in fat and delicious, so a useful addition to a weight management diet for your pooch. 

Can puppies eat butternut squash?

Yes - butternut squash is definitely safe for puppies. Just be sure to feed only the flesh, cooked so it’s soft, without any added salt or seasonings. Puppies should love the taste and will benefit from its fibre, vitamin and mineral content. 

When is butternut squash unsafe for dogs

As with any food, it can be unsafe when fed in too high a portion or when it’s not nutritionally balanced with other kinds of foods. Be sure to feed butternut squash alongside other nutritious proteins, veggies and fruits. 

It can also be unsafe if it’s not prepared correctly. Raw butternut squash is not recommended, and it’s important to remove the skin and seeds before serving to your dog, too. 

Can dogs be allergic to butternut squash?

Yes, it’s rare but a dog could have a butternut squash allergy. Feed your dog a small portion if they haven’t had it before and watch out for the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: 

• Reddening, itching, rashing on the skin
• Breathing difficulties, wheezing 
• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea 
• Bloating, pain in stomach
• Lethargy, change in behaviour 

Can butternut squash make dogs sick?

It’s unlikely if it’s prepared correctly, but butternut squash can make a dog sick if they’re fed too much of it, or if it wasn’t cooked. Of course, spoiled butternut squash that’s past its best is dangerous to feed a pooch as it could give them a stomach upset.

Butternut squash served in heavy sauces, seasoning or creams could make a dog sick - it should always be given to them cooked and plain. 

It could also make a dog sick if they have an allergy to butternut squash.

How to safely give butternut squash to your dog?

To safely serve your pooch this nutritious, squashy snack, be sure it’s cooked (steaming, boiling or oven-baking is the best method), and serve only the flesh with all the skin and seeds removed. Don’t add any salt or seasonings, it should be served plain to avoid causing any digestive issues. Squash cooked in things like garlic or onions should be avoided entirely, as these are toxic ingredients to dogs.

How often can dogs eat butternut squash?

Dogs can regularly eat squash so long as it’s part of a nutritionally balanced diet, full of varied proteins, fibre sources, veggies and fruits. As with all foods, it shouldn’t be served as a meal on its own as this will limit the amount of nutrition your dog receives. 

What kind of squash can dogs eat?

Let’s go into more detail over what kind of butternut squash your dog can and can’t eat…

Can dogs eat raw butternut squash?

No - it’s not a good idea to feed raw squash to your dog. Not only is it hard and not that tasty, it can cause a lot of tummy problems for them as it’s tough to digest. Cook a butternut squash and they’ll enjoy eating that a lot more!

Can dogs eat butternut squash skin?

No - squash skin is for removing before prepping to cook it. The skin is too tough and not pleasant for them to eat. 

Can dogs eat butternut squash seeds?

No - don’t feed your dog the seeds of a butternut squash. They can be tough for them to eat, or be a choking hazard - and they’re not the most digestible food for a dog either. When serving squash, remove the skin and seeds before serving only the flesh. That said, it’s not a big deal if your dog munches on some seeds accidentally.

Can dogs eat butternut squash soup?

A dog can eat squash soup, but only if you’ve made it yourself using just butternut squash and water.  As it’s unlikely you’ve made or bought a soup with these ingredients alone, and without added ingredients such as salt, seasoning and cream, it’s not recommended to feed a dog soup at all. It’s also more pleasant for them to eat squash as chunks, dogs enjoy munching food rather than slurping. 

Can dogs eat frozen butternut squash?

Frozen squash is fine so long as it’s been fully thawed and ideally heated a bit before serving to your pooch. The same rules apply that the squash should be plain, without added seasoning, and only the flesh. 

Conclusion

Butternut squash is a delicious, healthy food for a dog as part of a healthy, balanced diet. It’s full of fibre, vitamins and minerals that benefit a dog’s body and mind. Be sure to always remove the skin and seeds, cook the squash and serve plain flesh without any added salt, seasonings or sauces.

What other foods can dogs safely eat?

If you’re keen to feed butternut squash to your dog but are looking for alternatives, why not try the following? 

• Sweet potatoes offer the same dietary fibre and vitamins as squash and are actually a very similar root vegetable.
• Carrots are another mashable orange veggie with lots of fibre and powerful vitamins, like squash. 
• Courgette is another fibre-rich vegetable that can satisfy dogs while offering a host of health benefits, such as extra hydration. 

Check out our range of healthy snacks for dogs as well as grain-free dog food that’s gentle on digestion. All of our delicious, grain-free recipes are specially formulated to work wonders on your dog’s body and mind.