Why to include this popular and hearty cold season vegetable in your pawed pal's meal!
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3 Big Benefits of Winter Squash
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You've probably heard the term "winter squash" before, but did you know that winter squash is not a singular variety of squash? It's actually a term used to define a combination of several different kinds of squash including, but not limited to: Acorn Squash, Butternut Squash, Delicata Squash and Kabocha Squash. In certain areas of the US, such as California they can be grown year round, though they will always get bigger and more hearty towards the Fall season.
If you've never considered feeding your pup squash, it's important to note it's one of the many vegetables that can healthfully benefit your pawed pal.
Today will review three of the big reasons that we love Winter Squash! |
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Reason #1: It's Packed with Important Micro-nutrients |
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These micro-nutrients include Vitamin A, Calcium and Magnesium. In addition, winter squash are very high in a nutrient called Beta Carotene which is especially important for dogs, even more so than humans. In dogs, Beta Carotene has very special immune building properties which can help them with healing, aging and stress. Read more here. |
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Reason #2: Low in Calories & Low on the Glycemic Scale
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| | Squash low in calories and low on the glycemic index. This makes it the perfect addition to any food whether dry kibble, freeze dried raw or cooked food or even raw food. You can keep it in the fridge for a few days and add it to their food over the course of each meal. 1-1.5 cups per day for a large dog and for smaller dogs ¼ cup to ⅛ of a cup is appropriate. The calories are low but it is a dense food full of fiber so it will definitely fill them up. |
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Reason #3: It's Full of Fiber!
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As we mentioned above, squash is one of the most fibrous vegetables. Did you know, fiber is also considered a prebiotic? This makes it incredibly important to add to your dog's food on a regular basis as prebiotic foods and supplements support their microbiome by allowing the good gut bacteria (good probiotics) to feast on the fiber.
The by-product of this digestion of the fiber by your dog's gut probiotic bacteria produces many beneficial compounds, including Short Chained Fatty Acids or SCFAs. Benefits of SCFAs include glucose control, and cholesterol management. An additional benefit of fiber is better waste elimination as fiber acts like a brush, cleaning your pup's "digestive pipes" for healthier and less smelly poops! Read more about the benefits of fiber and SCFAs here. |
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You can roast Winter Squash in the oven. Take a few minutes to prep the squash by washing it and then poking holes in the skin so it does not burst open. Place it in the oven (use a drip tray underneath) and cook it between 25-50 minutes (depending on the size of the squash) on a decently warm temperature.
We usually recommend between 375F and 425F. Take it out, let it cool and remove any seeds or rough skin, especially if you have a smaller pup.
Let your dog Enjoy! |
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Further Enhance Nutrient Absorption with Restore M3®
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Considering pet's have significantly shorter lives than humans, we need to ensure that we maximize the effectiveness of the meals we provide them. Or in other words, you need to make sure your pet is absorbing as many nutrients from their food as possible. To do this, we suggest implementing supplementation for digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics that all help break down food and enhance nutrient absorption. This is why we created Restore M3® as it contains all three of those supplements in one single capsule to promote nutrient absorption, a healthy gut, and a longer pet life. |
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