Oct 29, 2020

Can My Dog Have Pumpkin Spice?

Back when I was a chef for people, around this time of year, customers would ask "so what should I do with all this leftover pumpkin spice?". To which I'd always say "make more pumpkin pie!". These days there's no shortage of things to add pumpkin spice to, just walk into your coffee and doughnut shop and take a whiff! And let's be honest, how much pumpkin pie can you eat? (I choose not to answer that question. Don't judge me!)

These days, more often folks ask about pumpkin spice and is it safe for their dogs. The answer can be complicated but really doesn't have to be. The short version is "yes", your dog can have pumpkin spice, but in small amounts. Pumpkin spice is a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and sometimes mace (a thin cage that grows around the nutmeg). All of these spices, except ginger, have trace amounts of toxic properties than can be harmful to humans and dogs. However, any animal would be hard pressed to eat enough of these spices in there powdered form to do any harm. It's physically difficult to eat that much dry powder, but if I drop a whole nutmeg on the floor, I always scoop it up before Lily does.

How much is too much? The Pet Poison Helpline states that it takes more than one teaspoon of powder to cause problems for most pets, although essential oils can cause problems in lower dosages. The helpline also warns that a large cinnamon overdose can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, changes in heart rate, low blood sugar, and liver disease. There is no data showing that dogs or humans have suffered long term illness due to pumpkin spice.

Still worried? Take a look at your holiday recipes and you'll find that they call for about a teaspoon or less of pumpkin spice. Now divide that by the number of portions and you'll see an even smaller amount. In my Pumpkin Chamomile Tea Cookies, I use just 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice for 32 cookies. Just enough for a little nose tickle for Lily and just enough to trick my kids into thinking I baking for them while it's cooking!

When it comes to spices (herbs are a different blog), a very little goes a long way. The spices that make up pumpkin spice are beautifully aromatic and can be used to bake with anytime of the year. Each of the spices has its own holistic benefits (November blog) and are a great addition to your dogs diet, in moderation. As always, discuss any concerns or changes in your dog's diet with the vet.

So, don't let that pumpkin spice bottle be pushed to the back of the cabinet after the holidays. Keep it front and center and I'll keep writing recipes!

Bark!

Chef Scot Hill

Owner of Woof Creek

Back to The Bark Blog, all bark and no bite!

Great product

I’ve used a different type of flea and tick powder in my dogs food, and they wouldn’t eat . With woods creek they don’t even know it’s in there !! We live in a heavily wooded area and the ticks are prevalent, so far so good ! So happy with this product .

So far so good!

Have been using this product for just under a year, we have had no issues. The dogs love the taste and so far no fleas

Natural

So far this seems to be working! He’s a suburban dog in NY and a field runner in Vermont. I do give him an extra spray of Wondercide in Vermont but so far we have been tick and flea free!❤️

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I have always disliked traditional flea and tick meds and our dogs had not been on anything for awhile. Then we found our first ticks... We love to go hiking and be in the woods so I searched and found this product. We've been using Flea and Tick Defense (along with the matching spray) for over a year now and I cannot say enough good things about it!! Our dogs are protected and I don't have to worry about horrible chemicals in their systems.

I waited three months--to review Woof Creek Flea + tick and Flea defense spray.

I hope that this honest review of Woof Creek Flea + Tick powder and Flea + Tick Defense spray, will help a few pup owners who are completely distressed by fleas, as we were. We live in a warm climate & became infested with fleas very quickly! We have a five year old, English Cocker Spaniel. We had also brought home a 12 week old Springer Spaniel who was highly allergic to fleas. Our new pup started losing his fur due to flea allergies. I searched out, and also purchased MANY, MANY holistic flea products. I even made my own organic flea repel sprays from "proven" recipes. "Nothing" helped us! The fleas continued to grow in number, and my pups became more miserable! I found myself hand picking fleas several times daily, and I was becoming quite frustrated. My process: I decided on ONE single dose of the "nasty" chemical laden Advantage product, as a means to rid my home and dogs of the flea infestation. (Search: Dr Judy Morgan for the "top five" chemical flea products-- to avoid using, at all cost). I chose one single dose of Advantage for each dog that was "JUST UNDER" their actual size and weight. This smaller dose ( for each dog ) did kill the fleas on the dogs and inside of my home for three weeks. During the third week, I started my dogs on a more holistic process of using the Woof Creek Flea + Tick Defense powder in my dogs morning meals each day. I also sprayed the backs of my dogs legs with Woof Creek's Flea + Tick Defense, before our morning & evening walks. I started ( and am still using ) the Tickless flea tags as well ( I do not know if they work ). I also ordered a pet vacuum, as an aid to rid my dogs of fleas after walks. We were then able to gain control over the fleas!!! We ( and the dogs ) began to relax over the past three + months. In time, my Spaniel's fur began to grow back ( three months later, he once again, has a beautiful full coat ). I should mention that our walks are no longer in areas where there are as many fleas ( do your research on where fleas like to hang out ). As of late, I started giving Flea + Tick powder in the food every other day ( as I am still a bit hesitant about giving my dogs Neem each day ). We were still doing well--ish against the fleas, but more recently, I have slacked off on adding the the powder to my dogs food even more, and had also run out of my Flea + Tick defense spray. . . I am now noticing that the fleas are quite rapidly increasing in number. I just placed my second order for the flea + Tick powder, and also the Flea defense spray with Woof Creek. I am very thankful that these flea products were developed by Woof Creek!! This being said---I found that the powder product took quite a while to fully kick in, at least three weeks, so give it plenty of time to work for your dog.
I am also finding that even when given each day, the Woof Creek products do not keep ALL fleas off of "my" dogs. We still come home with none to a few fleas, on both dogs after walks. I use my Amazon, 89.00 "Home run pet vacuum" after each walk, to flush out any fleas, onto my dogs belly area. From there, I can easily pick them off & deposit them directly into the vacuum hose.
Note: we only used the "Advantage" product one time---three months ago, in effort to rid our home and dogs of the flea infestation. Since this time, I have used the above, Holistic process for my pups. To anyone reading this, you can do it!! You "can" get a handle on your dogs fleas without the monthly chemical doses, that could greatly harm or even kill your pet. Good luck with your own process!! My family owes a huge thank you, and shout out to Woof Creek! Woof, Woof, Thank you so very much for your flea products!!!

Easy to mix with my dogs food.

Flea and tick prevention

I have been using this product for a few months now and although we have pulled off a few ticks it is no where near what it could be without using anything. We feel that this works wonders for her and we feel much better knowing we are not giving her harmful chemicals.

Great natural alternative for flea and tick prevention

I have been using this product for a few months. Although we have pulled off a couple of ticks, it is nowhere near what it could be without using anything. We live in a highly infested tick area, so it is unrealistic to say that they will not get any ticks on them. If I am diligent with the spray and the powder it works wonders. I feel better knowing I am not giving my dogs harmful chemicals.

Stress Free

My rescue came from an abuse household. I have had her for about two years and we are slowly rebuilding trust and confidence. I have been using their product for anxiety for about two weeks now. I have been topping Harleys food with it and I definitely notice a difference. She is more calm, sleeping more because she is relaxing better and it's helping her confidence. Thank you, I love to see my baby drift right to sleep anywhere with her little baby tongue stuck out. 🥰

I immediately starting using this for my boy but he’s still itching. I have become a mini supplement store at this point. I’m going to keep using it in hopes it eventually gives him relief but I have tried everything. He doesn’t eat kibble. Cessorex, quercetin, mushrooms, multiple baths with 4legged shampoo, CBD topical & Ease from cbd dog health. Ginger root. Turmeric. Coconut oil. I am at a loss here.

Can My Dog Have Pumpkin Spice?

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