# Fiber for pets (in lieu of pumpkin)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 27, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020 "2011-06-27T13:23:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/1 "2011-06-27T13:23:05Z")
I have a cat with digestive issues, so I have to mix his food with a spoonful of canned pumpkin. Well, my GF and I spent all of yesterday going to every grocery store in the area and no one has canned pumpkin. Apparently there is a shortage and/or recall according to all of the store employees we spoke to. So my question is, what would be a suitable substitute that is safe for pets? Would some other type of pureed vegetable work? Failing that, can I just mix in a spoonful of Metamucil? It would be most helpful that whatever it is be of neutral flavor or flavorless lest the cat may just choose to not eat at all. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/2 "2011-06-27T13:36:34Z")
Metamucil or cooking fibre should be OK, but I wouldn’t 100% swear to it. Cooking fibre would have less taste of course. Personally i would just use [pectin](http://www.amazon.com/Sure-Jell-Certo-Fruit-Pectin-6-Ounce/dp/B001E560U4). It’s a common ingredient in canned pet foods anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/3 "2011-06-27T13:41:14Z")
If you want to stick to the same flavour you can probably find frozen squash and/or pick up a fresh squash. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/4 "2011-06-27T14:04:31Z")
I bought a case of pumpkin from [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) It’s not stocked locally except around Thanksgiving. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/5 "2011-06-27T14:10:40Z")
Well, I checked Amazon. The bloodsuckers doubled the price. I got a case for $35 in Feb. Same link now is $75. dirty scumbags. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/6 "2011-06-27T14:19:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Well, I checked Amazon. The bloodsuckers doubled the price. > > I got a case for $35 in Feb. Same link now is $75. dirty scumbags. I know, I looked into that. One of their vendors is selling single 29 oz. cans for $_12.99_!:eek:! ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/7 "2011-06-27T14:21:12Z")
I seem to recall using canned yellow squash when we went this route with my dog. Should be pretty bland. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/8 "2011-06-27T14:25:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Well, I checked Amazon. The bloodsuckers doubled the price. > > I got a case for $35 in Feb. Same link now is $75. dirty scumbags. The OP said there were reports of a “pumpkin shortage.” There was also a pumpkin shortage in [2010](http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2010-09-27-pumpkin-shortage-over_N.htm), [2009](http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/libbys-warns-of-a-canned-pumpkin-shortage/), [2008](http://www.businesspundit.com/pumpkin-shortage-could-mean-a-sad-halloween/)… These pumpkin shortages seemed to be reported every summer, and are miraculously over in September. Folks, that ain’t a food shortage, that’s called a growing season. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/9 "2011-06-27T14:47:07Z")
Sweet potato is another fiber sorce. here is a pet quality can. > **[Nummy Tum Tum Pure Sweet Potato Can Dog Food Case: Canned Wet Pet Food: Pet...](https://www.amazon.com/Nummy-Tum-Pure-Sweet-Potato/dp/B003ZDHD3Q)** > > Shopping for Nummy Tum Tum Pure Sweet Potato Can Dog Food Case? Free automatic delivery may be available by subscription. I wouldn’t waste money on pet stuff. Canned sweet potato is easily bought at any grocery. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/10 "2011-06-27T15:03:36Z")
We feed our dogs a homecooked diet that includes sweet potato _and_ Metamucil (unflavored). The recipe was developed for us by a canine dietician (not one of the jobs that comes up a lot on Career Day!) ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/11 "2011-06-27T15:06:39Z")
I’ve given cats unflavored Matamusil with a vet’s OK. Sprinkle it onto the gravy of canned food, give it half a second to dissolve a bit. Make sure Fluffy is drinking lotsa water - our cats do seem to drink more if I change out their water bowl twice a day. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/12 "2011-06-27T15:12:19Z")
unsweetened applesauce mashed unsalted green peas squash zucchini ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/13 "2011-06-27T15:14:08Z")
Either canned or frozen squash should work just fine, as a pumpkin is just a type of squash. Around here, frozen squash is readily available all year round. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/14 "2011-06-27T16:09:40Z")
I had this problem a couple years ago and even posted a thread about it. Squash works out just fine. You can also use Metamucil – for dogs. I have no idea about cats, but I don’t know how you’d get the kitty to drink such a thing. I would mix it up in… some squash. Or whatever you can get the cat to eat. I can’t imagine getting my cat to eat pumpkin or squash, but the dogs ate it up like they were starving to death. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/15 "2011-06-27T19:37:30Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > Or whatever you can get the cat to eat. I can’t imagine getting my cat to eat pumpkin or squash, but the dogs ate it up like they were starving to death. Two of my three cats think canned pumpkin is the food of the gods. One will not touch it. However, the two that like it, especially the one who has digestive issues, only like it room temp and **only** from a freshly-opened can. :smack: I’ve been giving my elderly calico with digestive issues a generous spoolful of plain yogurt every morning. I make the yogurt myself so I know it’s got active cultures. It seems to help her, um, consistency a lot. And again, she thinks its the food of the gods. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/16 "2011-06-27T20:08:01Z")
**DCnDC** , may I ask what sort of problems you are having with your cat? I ask because I got the recommendation of adding fiber to the diet of our cat who had megacolon, but a low-residue diet ended up being much better for him. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/17 "2011-06-27T20:26:34Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > **DCnDC** , may I ask what sort of problems you are having with your cat? > > I ask because I got the recommendation of adding fiber to the diet of our cat who had megacolon, but a low-residue diet ended up being much better for him. He gets constipated easily. He gets lactulose and pumpkin in his food and that seems to keep things moving, so to speak. He’s also got asthma for which he also gets prednisone in his food, but that’s another story entirely. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/18 "2011-06-27T21:13:38Z")
It’s a little early for pumpkins, but I bet you’ll find some butternut squash in the produce section. Chop it into bite size chunks (no need to peel it), nuke it with a little water for 2-3 minutes until soft. Functionally equivalent to canned pumpkin, and maybe even better for constipated kitty, since it’s unpureed. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/19 "2011-06-28T02:39:29Z")
I – and a few others – give my dog canned pumpkin for diarrhea. That’s also the sense I thought that an upstream post mentioned pectin (as in kaopectate, why apple pie sets up, etc). My 2 cents: 1) Make sure that the mush is sugarless 2) Baby food works great ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020/20 "2011-06-29T05:06:38Z")
Metamucil is recommended often for kitties. Start with 1/4 teaspoon to replace the pumpkin (don’t know if you give it once or twice daily). More than that could cause problems, but depending on how kitty does with it, I’ve seen some given up to 1/2 teaspoon, but that’s a lot for a cat. It shouldn’t be a problem to use pumpkin when available and Metamucil when you can’t get pumpkin. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiber-for-pets-in-lieu-of-pumpkin/587020.md?page=2)