? Pumpkin sugars?

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

Is there a particular brand of pumpkin or is all pumpkin created equal? I have Libby's. No added anything...but shows carb and sugar content. Would the small fingertip size effect his BG? It def helped him...not sure if I should give everyday or not though. Thanks.

 

[LizzieInTexas]

I have had the same question (just never asked). I picked up a few of these this weekend:

http://www.weruva.com/pumpkin-patch-up.php

I know it must be pumpkin ONLY and I know quite a few here give it on a regular basis. I have not yet.

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

You can use 100% canned pumpkin without additives, fillers, spices, or sugar. Add about 1/2 teaspoon for adult cats to each meal, total of 1 teaspoon daily. Don't want to give a lot because it is a natural laxative so you will want to monitor stool firmness. Yes, poop duty .
I found this organic pumpkin at Walmart, see how it compares to Libby's: Farmer's Market Organic Pumpkin

The sugar listed might be the natural sugar found in fruits and vegetables. Someone may verify before I am able to later tonight.

 

[Tuxedo Mom]

Pure pumpkin naturally has some natural sugars in it, but is also rich in fibre. I have used almost 1 tablespoon daily of pumpkin for over 2 years for one of my FD kitties and not seen any problems with glucose levels because of it. Of course each kitty can be different, but a small amount of pumpkin shouldn't have any major effect.

 

[StephG]

I was giving Chuck half an ounce then I switched to 1/2 tsp of Libby's brand once a day. When I stopped it I never saw a difference in his numbers.

 

[Squalliesmom]

I used pumpkin for quite a while with Squallie; I never saw any change in his bg because of it, and he is extremely carb-sensitive.

 

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

Thank you! The numbers between Libby's and organic are off by 1 (for sugar and fibre only). Nothing is added - one ingredient. Pumpkin. I will continue to use it because it definitely produced a healther looking stool. Which means more comfort to Jimmy. He's not a huge fan of it - but when tucked behind and under his real chicken bits, he can't resist. He's been regular and "normal" until we started the insulin. Possibly TMI for this thread, but I found this helpful chart/data of what different stool types look like and mean. Titled article: The Scoop on Poop.
http://www.catdocmaine.com/catfeces.html

 

[tiffmaxee]

A small amount of pumpkin never raised Max's BG and he was very carb sensitive. Dr. Becker's column just mentioned it as ok for diabetics.

 

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

When I tried introducing pumpkin to them a few years back they didn't really dig it. Even if I buried it in their food. This time I still buried it- but heated the food a bit to bring out the smell in the food. Voila! No hesitation now. They both get the pumpkin now. It's these little achievements that make my day!

 

[Phoebes (GA)]

It is a life saver for phoebe. She won't go if I miss a dose. I do 1/8 of a tsp x2 day. I get the off brand pumpkin. Ingredients, just pumpkin.does not affect her bgs. I freeze the pumpkin I don't use and pull out a cube from freezer when running out of the thawed one.

 

[Phoebes (GA)]

Possibly TMI for this thread, but I found this helpful chart/data of what different stool typ

Never too much..COCA very important for cats and humans alike. My own term- color, odor, consistency, amout. it's the nurse in me

 

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

It is a life saver for phoebe. She won't go if I miss a dose. I do 1/8 of a tsp x2 day. I get the off brand pumpkin. Ingredients, just pumpkin.does not affect her bgs. I freeze the pumpkin I don't use and pull out a cube from freezer when running out of the thawed one.

Great idea. I just started freezing cubed food and water...preparing for when we go away. Sitter will visit twice a day and will leave the cube out in addition to fresh food. Gonna add wee bit of pumpkin in my next batch. See how that goes over.