Banner
We are reader supported, we earn a small commission when you buy something using our retail links.
Food & Diet

Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Let’s Peel the Layers to Find Out

At A Glance

If you're scratching your head wondering if your dog can enjoy the sweet taste of bananas, fear not! They certainly can! This bright yellow fruit, which is technically a berry (I know, crazy, right?), can actually be a great addition to your pet's diet... in moderation, of course! But, before you go ape about feeding your pup bananas, remember:

  • While bananas are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, they have high sugar content
  • Moderation is key when sharing a banana with your dog

Last Updated on: September 8, 2023

 

As much as dogs love bananas, I doubt they’d appreciate a banana split! But in all seriousness, bananas can make an excellent snack for dogs. That’s right, bananas! It’s not just us humans that find this fruit delicious. Our four-legged friends too can enjoy this sweet and healthy snack.

But before you start peeling, let’s make sure it’s safe for your pup to indulge in this fruity goodness. Can dogs eat bananas? The answer is yes, but as with any new food, it’s important to do your research first.

Don’t go bananas just yet. I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about feeding your dog this yellow wonder fruit.

custom oil-painted dog portraits by Poshtraits

Going Bananas For A Banana: Why It’s Good For Your Pet

Bananas are packed with proteins, vitamins C, B6, and A, potassium, magnesium, niacin, iron, and dietary fiber that help optimize your dog’s health.

Bone and Muscle Health

The potassium and magnesium in bananas help reduce calcium loss, promote bone development, and strengthen muscles. This will keep your pet agile and sprightly even as it ages.

Cardiovascular Health

Cardiac issues in dogs are usually caused due to age, nutrition, breed, and other conditions like obesity. Bananas, served as healthy treats, can reduce the risk of heart illnesses, like valve disease (mitral regurgitation) and heart muscle disease (dilated cardiomyopathy).

Vitamin B6 and potassium in the fruit help regulate blood pressure and support heart health.

Brain Health

Vitamin B6 in bananas helps keep your dog mentally alert and manages homocysteine, an amino acid contributing to cognitive decline.

Immunity

This superfood is an excellent source of vitamin C, known to repair and strengthen the immune system. Feeding your dog immunity-enhancing foods, like bananas, will help build its defense against illnesses.

Digestive Health

Bananas are chock full of dietary fiber, which helps promote healthy digestion. It’s also good for your dog’s microbiome because it contains prebiotics, which prevents digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, regurgitation, infections, and bloating.

The Not So A-peel-ing Facts About Dogs And Bananas

Given the long string of benefits of this berry fruit, you might be tempted to feed your dog bananas all the time. While bananas are generally good for your pup, it is important to maintain moderation.

Dog lover Richard Dene Hill shares, “Banana is good for dogs, but just like every other item, too much of it is bad. Bananas contain vitamin B6 and Vitamin C, fiber which is good for their bowels and digestion. It also contains potassium as well as magnesium, which is good for the bones and also protein, and you can give it to dogs in the form of treats.”

But letting your pet gorge on bananas can increase its risk of diabetes as the fruit is high in sugar. And too much sugar in the bloodstream can also result in organ failure. Bananas are also categorized as starchy food, and consuming them in large quantities could easily lead to obesity.

Some other complications resulting from too many bananas include upset stomach, diarrhea, and constipation.

Remember to keep the peel away from your dog because they are not easy to digest and may cause indigestion, bowel obstruction, vomiting, or choking.

Senior Nutritionist Karina Carbo-Johnson states, “Eating an unpeeled banana may cause your dog some dietary upset because they may not be accustomed to all the fiber the peel contains.”

can dogs eat bananas - tweet

Peel The Love With Treats That Will Drive Your Pet Bananas

If your dog is an extremely picky eater that doesn’t like bananas, you could try some creative ways to include the fruit in its diet. Here are some quick and simple recipes to try:

Banana Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium-sized banana
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup ground oats or oat flour

Procedure:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F and grease the trays.
  • In a bowl, mash a banana and an egg and mix well.
  • Add ground oats or oat flour (whatever is handy).
  • Mix ingredients to form a dough-like texture and shape into small, round, bite-sized balls.
  • Flatten the balls to make them look like cookies.
  • Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes or until light brown and crisp on the sides.

This recipe can make around 20 delightful treats that you can chill in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for up to 2 to 3 months.

Banana Carrot Bites

You can supercharge your recipe’s nutritional value by combining bananas with carrots.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups whole wheat flour or corn flour (know which works best for your pup)
  • 1 medium (60 grams) carrot, grated
  • 2 large bananas, peeled and mashed
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil
  • ½ cup cold water
  • 1 drop of vanilla essence

Procedure:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F and grease the baking tray.
  • Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl and mix well.
  • Now, combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and make a dough.
  • Roll out the dough on a flat surface and create different shapes using cookie cutters.
  • Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until crisp.
  • Let them cool before serving.

You can freeze them in an airtight container for about 2 months.

dog eating banana

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of the most commonly asked questions around can my dog eat bananas.

How Much Banana Can I Give My Dog?

It depends on your dog’s size. Large dogs like Labradors, Retrievers, and German Shepherds may eat half a serving of a medium-sized banana a day, while smaller dogs can only have 2-3 slices.

Remember to feed your pet bananas only occasionally to prevent increased sugar levels in the bloodstream and stomach upset.

Can Bananas Cause Diarrhea In Dogs?

Yes, ingesting too many bananas can cause digestive problems, like diarrhea and stomach upset. This is because bananas contain a lot of fiber.

A small dog that eats a large amount of bananas is likely to experience bowel issues.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips Or Banana Pudding?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat most “human” foods, especially those with high sugar content. Added sugars can pose health risks like diabetes and obesity.

And since bananas already contain high amounts of sugar, adding sweeteners makes them even more dangerous.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Bananas?

Yes, freeze-dried bananas are okay for dogs as long as they have no added sugar, sweeteners, and any other ingredients that may be toxic.

But ensure it’s fed in moderation, as dried fruits have more sugar than fresh fruit.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Skin?

No, dogs cannot and shouldn’t eat banana skin. Banana peels are extremely high in fiber, which may be difficult for dogs to digest.

Ingesting banana skin or peel may cause indigestion, obstruction, vomiting, or choking.

 

Food & Diet can dogs eat bananas dog food

Previous Article

Do All Labradors Smell?

author-image

Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.


Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.