Pumpkin is becoming increasingly popular in pet food and is a great complement to other ingredients. Traditionally this has been a seasonal product in human and pet food products, however it is now beginning to be used as a year-round ingredient
The nutritional value of the humble pumpkin has been recognised and is now widely considered a Superfood.
Why is this ingredient beneficial?
One of the key reasons for using pumpkin in pet food is for its wealth of nutritional benefits. The bright orange pigmentation of pumpkin is linked to the presence of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a plant carotenoid which converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A is a micro-nutrient which contributes towards maintaining healthy vision and supporting the immune system. In dogs, 1mg of beta carotene can be converted in 883 mg of Vitamin A (McDowell (2000). Alongside Vitamin A, pumpkin contains vitamins E and C which are known to have antioxidant properties. Pumpkin is also a source of soluble fibre which contributes towards digestive health.
Comments