Many dogs love cooked squash –not only a good source of potassium -it’s also a great source of soluble fiber, which can help dogs feel more satisfied after eating and helps promote intestinal health.
Potassium plays an important role in maintaining osmotic balance, transmitting nerve impulses and facilitating muscle contractions. It’s an important electrolyte that is often lacking in raw diets because the best sources are veggies and fruits.
Which variety to choose depends on your nutrition goals.
- Butternut is a good contender if you’re looking to bump the Vitamin A (3162iu per oz) and beta carotene content in your dog’s diet. With almost 1gm of fiber and only 11 kcal per oz you can make a significant nutritional impact with low caloric impact.
- Acorn squash delivers impressive potassium amounts – 1oz of acorn squash has more potassium than 1oz of mashed banana (102mg per oz). Acorn also has more calories (16) and more fiber than butternut but as you can tell from the lighter flesh color, doesn’t contribute much beta carotene. It’s low in oxalate which makes it a good choice for dogs that are predisposed to calcium oxalate crystals and stones.
Fun facts:
Acorn squash has a 1:1 calcium phosphorus ratio and is a very low oxalate vegetable.
Butternut squash is often available in the frozen veg aisle, already peeled and cubed.