Can Dogs Eat Banana?
Vet Explains What You Should Know
What dog doesn’t love to eat? Dogs are omnivorous creatures who love to eat many different types of food.
Like their ancestors, dogs tend to go after prey that they consider weak. However, since most dogs now have become great family pets, they don’t eat the types of things that they would in the wild.
As the owner responsible for your pet’s health, you are probably wondering what type of good and healthy things you can give your dog.
Bananas are one food that some people recommend giving to dogs. However, some types of fruit are toxic to dogs, so are they really safe?
Can Dogs Eat Banana?
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. Bananas can be a healthy, low-calorie treat for your canine because they contain vitamins and nutrients like potassium, biotin, and copper. Still, because bananas are high in sugar, you should stick to the recommended serving size to prevent stomach upsets or weight gain.
Banana is especially helpful when you need to get your dog to take medication but want to avoid high fat or high salt treats like peanut butter or cream cheese.
– Dr. Leonie McKinlay, DVM
It is recommended to peel the banana before giving it to your dog. However, don’t worry if your dog happens to eat some of the skin as it isn’t toxic to them.
Health Benefits: Are Bananas Good for Dogs?
You may be curious to know if bananas are actually good for your dog’s diet. There are actually several benefits to giving your dog bananas.
Bananas have many nutritional factors that are good for any dog.
Contains Potassium
Potassium is helpful for many reasons, one of those being that it supports your dog’s metabolism. It helps your dog absorb nutrients a lot faster, and it also helps break down the fats and carbohydrates that your dog takes in.
Another great benefit of potassium is that it helps your dog’s muscles grow and strengthens them.
High in Fiber
You may have already guessed it, but fiber will help with a dog’s digestion. It helps produce regular bowel movements to help keep your dog’s colon in check. It also helps with constipation and diarrhea.
Fiber absorbs moisture from outside the colon to help with bowel movements. On certain occasions, it can even absorb the water from inside the colon, which will help with diarrhea.
Provides Magnesium
Bananas also provide a lot of magnesium, which is an important mineral for your dog’s body. It helps your dog’s organs stay healthy and keeps them functioning normally.
Magnesium also helps your dog’s body gather other imperative minerals like zinc, calcium, and potassium.
One other benefit of magnesium that you may not know is that it can help dogs with their mental and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that magnesium can help keep dogs calm and can particularly benefit anxious dogs.
Health Risks: Are Bananas Bad for Dogs?
While bananas are a good source of minerals, too much banana could cause some problems for your four-legged friend.
Some things are better in moderation, and bananas happen to be one of those things.
Sugar in Fruits
Many fruits contain quite a lot of sugar; bananas being one of them. If given too much sugar, your dog can gain weight, which could lead to health issues later down the road.
Also, just like humans, too much sugar can damage a dog’s teeth. It may seem obvious, but they need their teeth to be healthy and pain-free in order to eat. The last thing you want is for your dog to be unable to enjoy eating their dinner because their teeth are sore.
You should try to avoid giving your dog dried bananas as they are more concentrated. This means that the sugar content is considerably higher and not healthy for your pooch.
When you do provide bananas as treats, stick with fresh ones.
Stomach Problems
Your furry friend may enjoy chowing down on some yummy bananas, but they may begin to feel or get sick from eating too much.
If your dog eats too many bananas at once, they may end up getting more potassium than needed. This can cause discomfort, weakness, and vomiting. This is why you should only give bananas as small treats and nothing more.
Avoid the Banana Peel
As mentioned above, don’t worry too much if your dog accidentally eats a banana peel, as they are not toxic to dogs. However, it isn’t recommended to let them eat the skin very often, because it can be hard to digest.
If your dog eats too many banana peels, they could end up with a blockage. If this happens, you may need to take a trip to the vet. To avoid this, be sure to dispose of the peel properly so your dog can’t get to it.
Feeding Guidelines
When trying to figure out how much banana to feed your dog, it is crucial to know the correct serving size. Each dog is different, so you want to be sure you are giving the right amount.
For small dogs, a small piece of banana not more than once or twice a week is sufficient. Large dogs can eat a whole banana without the peel.
Different Weights Means Different Portions
Every dog is different, from their weight to how big they will get when fully grown. Make sure that you base how much banana you give on the breed and their weight.
For small dogs, a small piece of banana not more than once or twice a week is sufficient. Large dogs can eat a whole banana without the peel, but this sweet fruit should also be given in moderation.
Everything in Moderation
Moderation is a key factor when giving dogs any kind of food. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing, and you don’t want to overfeed banana to your dog. It may spoil your dog and cause some health issues.
All the vitamins and minerals in the banana could work against your dog; it may be packed with a lot of good stuff, but your dog’s body can only take so much of it at one time.
Ways to Serve Bananas
There are a few different ways to give your furry friend a banana.
- The first option is mashing it up with their food. It will provide a different flavor as well as keep them interested in their food.
- Another way to give it is by mixing it with some peanut butter. This can help with portioning as it can be offset by the peanut butter. You can believe your puppy will enjoy this tasty treat.
- You can also place banana into one of their favorite treat toys and freeze it. This will help them have it in moderation as well as entertain them for hours!
Nutrition Facts
You are probably curious to know what other nutritional ingredients bananas contain. You already know that they come with fiber, potassium, and magnesium, as mentioned above.
Bananas are also an excellent source of vitamins.
- They contain Vitamin B, which helps give your pup energy.
- In addition, they have Vitamin C, which helps repair your dog’s body tissues.
- Bananas also contain copper, manganese, and carbohydrates.
Biotin is one of the B vitamins and is another excellent nutrient found in bananas. It will help keep your dog’s skin healthy and will give their coat a great shine to it. It’s also great for maintaining their heart health and keeping their nerve function in check.
Along with some of the other benefits of Vitamin B, it will also help to fight arthritis and joint inflammation. As dogs get older, both of these can become a serious problem, and banana may help.
With all these benefits, you can see why bananas are a good choice for a small treat. They can be helpful as long as they are given in moderation.
Bottom line: Can Dogs Have Banana?
After reading this, you can see why bananas can be a good choice for a healthy snack. They also have many nutritional factors that are good for any dog. In particular, they are easy to digest, making these a smart treat.
Too many bananas can cause some stomach problems that could lead to your dog getting sick. Remember to limit your dog to small amounts of banana to ensure you have a happy, healthy puppy.
When fed in moderation, banana can be a fun and healthy treat that your dog is sure to love.
Bananas for Dogs – FAQ
Can bananas give dogs diarrhea?
Yes, bananas can give dogs diarrhea if not fed in moderation, or the dog eats the peel. Bananas are in no way toxic to dogs, but they contain a lot of fiber, which may cause tummy upsets.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Peels?
Yes, dogs can eat banana peels. The peels are not toxic, although because of pesticides, organic bananas are firmly recommended. Follow our feeding guidelines, as bananas are high in sugar, and overfeeding may cause weight gain and digestive upsets like diarrhea in dogs. Whole banana peels are also a choking hazard and may cause intestinal obstructions in dogs.
Can Puppies Eat Bananas?
Yes, puppies can eat bananas. The fruit itself is not toxic to dogs, and bananas can be a healthy and high fiber treat with little cholesterol and sodium but many vitamins plus magnesium, potassium, biotin, and copper. Still, follow our feeding guidelines, as bananas are high in sugar and may cause weight gain and stomach upsets.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips?
Yes, dogs can eat banana chips. Banana chips can be healthy, high-fiber treats containing potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B6 and C. However, follow our feeding guidelines because banana chips are high in sugar and fat and may cause obesity, diarrhea, and other health problems in dogs.
Are Bananas Poisonous for Dogs?
No, bananas are not poisonous for dogs. There is nothing toxic in the fruit itself for dogs. Still, if your dog eats the peel as well, organic bananas are highly recommended as pesticides and chemicals are harmful. Follow our feeding guidelines because although bananas are not toxic to dogs, they may cause diarrhea or stomach upsets if overfed.
Vet’s Comment
Bananas can make a great treat for your dog, but as with all treats, they should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calories.
If you keep to this limit, then the amount of sugar your dog gets from this sweet fruit is pretty low, and your pet shouldn’t have any trouble with their teeth or with weight gain.
Bananas can also be a useful tool for giving medications to your pet – because of their texture: you can easily hide a tablet in it. Banana is especially helpful when you need to get your dog to take medication but want to avoid high fat or high salt treats like peanut butter or cream cheese.
– Dr. Leonie McKinlay, DVM
NOTE: Advice provided within this article by FeedingMyPet.com is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Please discuss your pet’s specific dietary needs (based on his breed, weight, age, and health status) with a veterinarian.
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