Can dogs eat bananas

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Yes, dogs can eat bananas. These yellow fruits are packed with many health benefits that can be leveraged by dogs, and they contain almost no fat at all.

Although some dogs are not likely to be easily drawn to bananas, the nutritious value of this fruit makes it an excellent treat for our canine friends.

In this post, we will take you through what you need to know about giving your dog bananas as well as some helpful tips on how to serve them safely and effectively. This will help your dog to avoid any adverse side effects.




Are Bananas Safe for Dogs

Yes, bananas are safe for dogs to eat as long as you don’t give them excessive quantities. Just a few slices of fairly ripe bananas should be fine for your dog once in a while.

You also need to ensure that your dog is not allergic to bananas and that they can digest them properly.




Are Bananas Good for Dogs?

Bananas are good for dogs, especially if they are not intolerant to them. If your pooch is sensitive to this fruit, they will show a reaction after they eat. This might include signs of an upset stomach such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Can dogs eat bananas

This fruit provides a great source of energy boost for dogs, especially if they require much of it for their long walks and runs.




7 Benefits of Bananas for Dogs

Here are some of the benefits your dog will get when taking this fruit:

1. Bananas are an excellent source of carbohydrates, with an estimate of around 28 grams per serving. This makes them a great snack for dogs who require an energy boost for exercise.

2. Bananas are also packed with dietary potassium. One fairly ripe, medium-sized banana has around 450mg of potassium per serving.

This trace mineral is essential for the proper function of many of the dog’s organs, including the heart, kidneys, and muscles.

Potassium also helps to maintain healthy blood pressure levels in dogs which can help to prevent kidney stones.

3. Bananas are also packed with magnesium which is good for the dogs’ bones and muscles’ health. Magnesium also helps the dog’s body in the production of proteins and absorption of vitamins.

4. The high vitamin B6 present in bananas can help to reduce any signs of fatigue in dogs by producing glucose and other hormones.

This vitamin also supports dogs’ brain health by producing neurotransmitter hormones.

5. Bananas are also packed with vitamin C which helps to strengthen your pup’s immunity against diseases. It also functions as an antioxidant in the dog’s body and therefore counters the effects of free radicals.

6. Bananas also have manganese which is essential for the production of collagen in connective tissues (muscles) and other body functions such as nerve conduction

7. Finally, bananas are a good source of dietary fiber. The fiber in this fruit can help to keep your dog’s digestive system to run properly. However, you need to be careful because too much fiber can be bad for dogs.




Do Bananas Help a Dog’s Upset Stomach?

Bananas can help calm an upset stomach and even diarrhea in dogs. To use this fruit as a stomach remedy, you can give your dog 1 or 2 small pieces of peeled banana.

Wait for 5 minutes, and then give them another piece. Repeat this until they have finished eating a whole medium-sized banana, or half for puppies.

Find out other foods for dogs with an upset stomach and the best foods for sick dogs without appetite.

If your dog doesn’t seem to get relieved, then you should consult your vet immediately for further diagnosis and timely treatment.




The Best Way of Giving Bananas to Dogs

The first thing you need to ensure is that the banana should be fairly ripe. Unripe bananas can cause digestive issues for dogs, whereas an overly ripe banana has too much sugar.

A fairly ripe banana contains a fair amount of naturally occurring sugars and this should not cause harm to your dog if given in moderation.

You then need to unpeel the bananas before proceeding.

Sliced banana

The other thing to note about feeding your dog bananas is to make sure that you don’t give them the entire banana at once. Instead, cut the whole fruit into small chunks that are easy for your dog to eat.

The simplest way to give your dog a banana is to do so plainly. If your furry friend isn’t a big fan of eating fruits, you can try adding mashed banana to their kibble or wet food as a tasty and nutritious topping




How Much Banana Can a Dog Eat?

Large dogs should eat no more than half a big banana (more than 8 inches) or one medium-sized banana (7-8 inches) per day. Small dogs can manage 2 or 3 banana pieces daily.

It’s important not to give your dog too much of this fruit since they are high in sugar. The right banana serving per day is enough to keep your dog happy and help them get nutritional value.

Give your dog plenty of clean drinking water while they eat the banana to prevent them from bloating or having diarrhea. This will also eliminate the choking hazard if the dog doesn’t chew the fruit properly




Can Puppies Eat Bananas?

Puppies can eat around 3 slices of bananas, or even less, every so often. However, you should not give them to puppies under 6 months old because they can easily choke on the fruit.

The most important thing when giving your puppy a banana is to cut it up into very small pieces. You can also mash a ripe banana and feed it to your or insert thin slices inside of a piece of bread.

We recommend that you use a blender to puree the bananas for your puppies. This will help create a more consistent mush and eliminate the choking hazard if you add some water.




Can Some Dogs Be Allergic to Bananas?

Some dogs are allergic to bananas while others have an intolerance instead of an actual allergy. You can know this by observing for any unwanted signs when your pup takes a banana.

It is always best to start with a few portions before proceeding with a new diet for your dog.

If you are worried about your dog being allergic to bananas, it’s important that you talk to your vet. Your vet will help determine whether or not your dog has an allergy. And get other options to ensure your pup doesn’t miss out on the benefits that are in bananas.




Simple Dog Banana Treat Recipes You Should Try

With this simple guide, you can now make banana dog treats at home.

1.Banana and peanut butter treat

What you will need

  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 cup of unsweetened peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoon chia seed

Procedure

  • Cut the banana into small chunks and mash it.
  • Mix it with peanut butter and chia seeds in a clean bowl
  • Place the mixed food in a closed jar and let it rest for 30 minutes.

You can serve it plain to your dog or serve it alongside other dog foods. You can also use this homemade treat to stuff your dog’s Kong for added fun. Feel free to use flax seeds as a substitute for chia seeds.




2. Frozen banana treat

What you will need

  • 1 ripe banana
  • Freezer

Procedure

  • Slice the banana into small chunks.
  • Freeze for about 1 hour or until they become firm.

Serve the frozen treat to your dog in moderation. Make sure to let the frozen food rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes before giving it to your dog.

You can store the remaining treats in a freezer (not more than 6 months).

Be sure not to overfeed your dog. You can include these DIY banana treats in your dog’s diet for the day to be sure they don’t take too much food.




Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I give my dogs bananas every day?

Yes, you can feed your dog bananas every day but it is best to use fruits as treats for your dog once in a while. Bananas should not form a major part of your dog’s diet.

You can give your dog plain bananas or mash them and create tasty treats for your dog.

2. Can a dog eat banana chips?

This will largely depend on how the banana chips were prepared. If they have no artificial additives then yes, you can give your dog 2 or 3 banana chips per day. This treat provides an excellent energy boost for active dogs.

Make sure to use plain banana chips. Do not salt or any other spices to add flavor to the banana chips for dogs. Some of the spices, e.g., onions are toxic to dogs and will certainly cause major harm than good.

3. Can dogs eat banana peels?

Dogs should NOT eat banana peels in as much as they are non-toxic to them. The peels are hard to digest (due to high fiber content) and may cause gastrointestinal issues such as bowel obstruction when your dog eats them.

Banana peels present an even greater choking hazard to dogs. So, it’s best to just give your dog the flesh part of the banana and not the peel.

4. Can dogs eat banana bread?

Dogs should only eat plain banana bread, but it also depends on how it was made. These baked products are made with wheat flour (which might contain gluten).

Banana Bread

Too much sugars, cocoa products, and sometimes raisins are present in most cakes and are definitely not good for dogs.

This food has the potential to expose your dog to obesity and a whole lot of other health problems in dogs.

5. What other fruits can dogs eat?

If your dog is allergic to bananas, or they don’t find them tasty, the following are some of the other safe fruits for dogs you can try:




Conclusion

Can dogs eat bananas? Yes, this is a healthy fruit for dogs and can be used to make treats or given plainly to them.

You should however be careful not to overfeed your dog with bananas. They should take no more than a whole small-sized banana per day. 

It’s always important to exercise caution and monitor your dog’s health as you add a new diet.

Written By

Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.

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