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:
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.
Bananas are packed with proteins, vitamins C, B6, and A, potassium, magnesium, niacin, iron, and dietary fiber that help optimize your dog’s 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.
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.
Vitamin B6 in bananas helps keep your dog mentally alert and manages homocysteine, an amino acid contributing to cognitive decline.
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.
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.
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.”
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:
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.
You can supercharge your recipe’s nutritional value by combining bananas with carrots.
You can freeze them in an airtight container for about 2 months.
Here is a list of the most commonly asked questions around can my dog eat bananas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
