Unlike other fruits, which may have toxic components, every part of a banana is safe for your dog to eat. That’s not to say there aren’t any risks involved, though. Our experts explain how and when to treat your dog to this fruit without causing digestive upset.
Can Dogs Have Bananas?
Yes, dogs can have bananas. They may not get all the nutritional benefits humans get from this fruit, but bananas make a good—and motivating—treat.
If you’re wondering “Can puppies eat bananas?”, check with your veterinarian. Puppies need a specific diet for their growth and development. Added calories from bananas and other fruits could interfere.
Are Bananas Good for Dogs?
Peeled bananas are best for dogs, but if he gobbles one whole, don’t worry. Banana peels aren’t toxic to dogs. That’s not to say eating a banana whole won’t cause your dog to throw up or have diarrhea. That reaction means his system isn’t accustomed to digesting all the fiber a banana peel contains. It’s always best to peel this fruit and cut it into appropriate serving sizes.
Despite the low risk (unlike grapes or cherries), bananas aren’t as nutritious as you might think. Because the servings are small, the beneficial nutrients may not make a difference. That’s fine, because Bananas do contain certain nutrients like potassium. But if your dog is on a complete and balanced diet, you’re not relying on the banana to supply anything essential.
When are Bananas Bad for Dogs?
Like other fruits, bananas contain natural sugar. Too much of any type of sugar can cause weight gain, which can lead to other health issues. To avoid these negative effects, follow the 90/10 rule. Ninety percent of your dog’s daily calories should come from his dog food and the other ten from treats.
Some people think bananas will improve symptoms of digestive upset like diarrhea. Bananas aren’t a cure-all for dogs with diarrhea or constipation. Instead of feeding your dog more bananas, watch his food intake and reduce the amount to see what he tolerates. If diarrhea and other symptoms don’t resolve within 24 hours, call your veterinarian.
How to Serve Bananas for Dogs
As mentioned earlier, ask your veterinarian before feeding your dog or puppy any new foods. They can tell you the best serving size based on his age, size and more. To serve your dog a banana, peel it and cut it into an appropriate size and share the treat with your pup.
If your dog doesn’t seem to like fresh bananas, try them frozen. Freezing a fruit or vegetable is another way of changing its texture to make it interesting. In an animal’s eyes, it probably makes it a different kind of treat, since it’s a different texture and temperature experience. Frozen bananas make for an especially tasty and refreshing treat on hot days.
When you follow these recommendations, you can confidently feed your dog special treats like bananas.
For a healthy and happy dog make sure you feed him with the right products designed for his breed, age group and general activity and don’t substitute his present nutrition with something else altogether. If you want to read about recipes for dogs, check out cooking book for dogs section.
Ultimately, your dog health and well-being is very important and rushing him to the vet could not only be heart breaking but also extremely expensive. If you do not have an insurance for your dog, maybe it is worth considering it.
FAQ
1 – Can dogs eat bananas? Yes, peel them off first though
2 – Can dogs eat banana peels? No, banana peels are a choking hazard for dogs
3 – Can dogs eat dried bananas? Yes, but be careful that the bits aren’t too much or too small to become a choking hazard for your dog
4 – Can dogs eat frozen bananas? Yes, this will make a great treat for those hot summer days
5 – Can dogs eat green bananas? No, this is likely to give your dog diahrrea
