This is the right time to determine: Can dogs eat bananas?
Having a dog also means thinking about its diet all the time. You're responsible for its health, and the appropriate food is the primary source of its well-being.
As we all know, what is good for us, humans, isn't necessarily good for dogs.
By default, veggies and fruits are excellent for us. But are they for our four-legged friends?
Last Updated: June 2nd 2023
Are Bananas Good for Dog?
Gib benena, hooman.
All dogs drool over bananas, just like people in every corner of the world. They're just so sweet and yummy!
But the burning question is, should dogs eat bananas? Short and clear: Yes, dogs can eat bananas.
Feeding your dog a slice of a banana now and then is completely fine; beneficial, even.
Proper vitamin and mineral intake promotes the healthy condition of your dog's body and immune system.
And this fruit contains many vitamins and other great health sources for your dog.
On the other hand, you should avoid making bananas a regular part of your dog's diet. They should be treated as treats (no pun intended) and given with moderation.
Here's proof that dogs can eat bananas like humans 🙂 :
However, the best way to feed your dog bananas is to prepare them pre-sized portions and remove any peel.
Banana peels are a potential choke hazard and aren't good for dogs.
Why are Bananas Good for Dogs?
Nutrients in bananas can strengthen the dog's immune system and provide them the right amount of healthy fiber, vitamins and minerals.
In fact, take a look at its nutrition facts:
| 1 medium-sized banana |
|---|---|
Calories | 90 |
Water | 75% |
Carbs | 22.9g |
Sugar | 12.2g |
Fiber | 2.6g |
Protein | 1.1g |
Fat | 0.3g |
As you can see, the fiber content of bananas is quite high, which benefits your dog's digestive system. Unripe banana contains more fiber in the form of starch, which is healthy for your dog.
These are the most beneficial things that banana contains for your dog's health:
- Vitamin C. As an excellent source of Vitamin C, bananas are important antioxidants for dog's body. It's also great if your dog frequently has allergic reactions as it acts as an antihistamine.
- Vitamin B6. After Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 is the best addition that bananas provide. It's vital for their nervous system function, metabolism, and red blood cells.
- Potassium. Bananas are a major source of potassium that benefits heart and kidney functions.
- Magnesium. Magnesium is excellent for bone growth, and you should provide it to your pup at all times.
Plus, a slice of this yummy fruit could be just what puts your dog in a good mood before training. Or, the other way round - serve as a reward or a treat for learning a trick.
So, the next time someone asks you can a dog eat banana, you know how to explain it in detail!
Potential Downsides of Feeding Your Dog Bananas
Can bananas lead to some problems with your dog? Yes, but only if you let them eat too much. Also, banana peels are harmful. They aren't necessarily toxic but can cause different things, from constipation to vomiting.
One of the main reasons you should not go for large quantities of bananas for your dog is they are heavy on carbs. The high sugar content they contain can be toxic to dogs. It may lead to digestive problems or cause damage to their blood cells.
Hence, you should keep bananas to small and safe portions. Remember, carbs should make only around 2% of the dogs' diet!
A pro tip: You can reduce the carb content dogs eat by buying unripe bananas.
The thing is that the carb composition of bananas varies with their condition. Ripe bananas contain much more sugar, which isn't good for your pet. It raises their blood sugar too high and damages their skin and body.
Therefore, you shouldn't put big food portions of banana in front of your dog. It may be tempted to eat it, even if it's too much for them.
Another question that people often ask is:
Do Bananas Give Dogs Diarrhea?
Upset stomach and diarrhea can occur only if dogs get too many bananas or banana peels. To avoid these problems, feed your pet small quantities of banana and always peel them. My table below may help you determine the right amount.
What Fruits Are Bad for Dogs? What Are Good?
Our beloved pets can enjoy a lot of healthy fruits and vegetables, though they shouldn't be the first choice for their diet. You should rather treat them like a sweet snack or an occasional dog treat.
You shouldn't give your dog one of these because they aren't safe for your pet. They can cause severe kidney failure:
- Grapes
- Avocados
- Raisins
- Cherries
Avoid these foods at all costs!
On the flip side, let's see what fruits are safe foods to get for your dog:
- Strawberries. Contrary to popular belief, dogs can have strawberries. They are high in fiber, but just like you would feed bananas to your dogs, make sure not to give them too much.
- Blueberries. These are loaded with Vitamin C and phytochemicals, and a great alternative to store-bought treats.
- Cranberries. Raw cranberries are rich in potassium, though high in sugar. Thus, use them moderately, just like you would feed bananas.
- Apples. You probably already know that apples have high fiber content, and, more importantly, relatively small amount of sugar.
- Mango. This fruit is one of the best sources for Vitamin B6.
If you want to get to know more about which fruits and vegetables are good for dogs, check out my article on homemade dog food.
Even if you're not considering feeding them homemade food, I included a handy guide on all kinds of food and top-notch advice regarding their dietary needs.
How Many Bananas Dogs Can Eat?
Now that we've established should dogs eat banana, let's see what we haven't covered yet.
I've been saying that you should make sure to keep banana intake at an optimal, low level. But how much is that?
So, when dogs join you for a family snack, how many bananas should you give them?
This mostly depends on your dog's size. Toy breeds dogs won't need the same amount of foods as larger ones.
It's easy to get it right, though. Just follow the chart below that will help you:
Small dog breed | Max 2-3 small pieces per day |
|---|---|
Medium dog breed | Half of a small banana per day |
Large dog breed | Half of a large banana per day |
Bonus: Michael & Jimmy's Banana Recipe
There are many ways in which you can serve this fruit.
The best way is to serve them just the way they are, without frying or processing them. You can also freeze them (I do this often), but the key is not to overdo it.
When I freeze bananas, I make sure to use them within the next two months. If bananas are frozen longer than that, they start to lose their vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and potassium.
Also, added calories from other fruits could be a bit too much, so keep it one at the time.
Here is my favorite banana dog recipe I treat Jimmy to:
Easy Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Treats
Does your dog show up whenever you take the peanut butter jar? You don’t need to hide it anymore. it’s completely safe, and it makes a great combination with bananas. Just like bananas, treat it as an occasional snack.
For this dog bananas treat recipe, you will need:
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 5 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 frozen banana (I always freeze bananas because I often have them in my fridge, but know that you can use fresh ones, too)
It's easy to prepare it:
- First, smash the peanut butter and banana in a bowl, and make oat flour in a blender. Make sure there's no peel left.
- Add everything together until the dough is thick and homogenous.
- Cut it into the shape of your dog's favorite treat.
- Bake for around 15 minutes, and let it cool before you give them to your doggo.
If you're a dog owner that loves to cook and bake, vent your creativity by coming up with a new version of these treats. Jimmy and I will be more than happy to try it out!
Conclusion: Should Dogs Eat Banana?
Are you feeding your dog properly? Does it have the necessary vitamins in their diet?
Your responsibility as a dog owner is to make sure your buddy is getting high-quality food that it needs.
The final verdict is: Yes, dog can eat banana.
Just be vary of quantities and peel them before you let your pup gobble it down!
Plus, they make for wonderful dog treats as a reward for successful training. A piece of banana will give your dog energy and cause multiple health benefits.
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