Bananas are one of the most popular fruits for us humans.
We use them in cereal, smoothies or as a snack, as they’re real energy-boosters.
No wonder you want to share some with your dog! But, the question is – is it safe?
Dogs love to eat, that’s a fact! However, many dogs are not very picky and they may eat pretty much anything they can come across. Unfortunately, it can result in eating something they shouldn’t and that’s bad for them. Therefore, it’s your responsibility as a dog owner to know what’s safe for your dog to eat and what should be kept far away from your best friend. As always, we’re here to help you.
Today we’re continuing our research on appropriate food for dogs, so you can cross off one more thing from your list. Considering you’re reading this, we’re guessing you want to know the following:
Can I Give My Dog Bananas?
The short answer to this question is – yes, dogs can eat bananas! They’re not toxic to dogs in any way. Not only are they safe for dogs to eat, but they’re also healthy as well.
However, it’s important to feed bananas in moderation, otherwise you might notice some stomach upsets. Also, remember that every dog is different, so even though bananas are safe, it doesn’t mean your dog will like or enjoy them. Therefore, introduce bananas slowly to your dog’s diet – like any other new food for that matter – and wait and see what the reaction will be.
Before we continue, check out the video below.
Now, let’s discover what makes bananas healthy!
Why Are Bananas Healthy For Your Dog?
Bananas are very healthy for us to eat, nothing new there! But did you know that they’re actually beneficial for dogs as well? As other fruits and vegetables, they’re a great source of various nutrients, including vitamins B and C, and the minerals magnesium and potassium – all of which are desirable for both dogs and people.
Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional benefits:
- Potassium –is very beneficial for the balance of fluid and electrolytes in your dog’s body. It also has an important role to play in the function of the nervous system and kidneys.
- Magnesium – is important to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, support a regular heart beat, and help bones remain strong. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels and is important in the production of energy and proteins. (1)
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) – is important in the production and function of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen around the body to the vital organs.
- Vitamin C – is an antioxidant, which helps to preserve and repair cells in the body. It is also important for good dog’s immune system function. Vitamin C also may lower dog’s risk of heart disease.
- Fiber and copper – helping with bowel movement problems, especially when a dog has diarrhea
- Biotin – is an important type of vitamin B that helps maintain healthy skin, fur and nails. It also promotes healthy blood sugar levels.
Bananas are great for improving your dog’s bowel movement and protecting its stomach from ulcers, acid secretion and gastritis. On top of all that, bananas are low in sodium and fat, while being high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. This combination helps to contribute to a better working immune system and gives a boost to your dog’s energy levels too. Its also great news for your dog’s skin and coat, which will also benefit from bananas too!
A study has shown that dogs that were fed a Vitamin B6 deficient diet rapidly developed severe anemia and heart disease, compared to dogs whose diet included this vitamin. (2)
Biotin is highly important vitamin for dogs, especially the ones prone to developing skin and fur conditions. One study revealed that biotin treatment was highly successful in curing dogs from various skin conditions (such as dull coat, brittle hair, loss of hair, scaly skin, pruritus or dermatitis). (3)
Researchers in Trinidad and Tobago actually discovered other usages of banana parts that can help in maintaining dog’s health. For example, they found that water from banana stems successfully treats minor cases of mange in dogs. (4)
Finally, have you ever heard of the BRAT diet? If not, this diet stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast – recommended by veterinarians for a couple of days in the case a dog has diarrhea or vomiting. Another great benefit that can come from some banana slices!
How Many Bananas Should Dogs Eat?
Bananas are high in sugar, therefore you should be careful with the amount of banana you give to your dog. Your dog will be able to enjoy the benefits when given small amounts, as giving your dog a large amount of banana daily may cause your dog harm! Why?
Besides the high sugar level, bananas are also a rich source of potassium, as mentioned above. Even though potassium is an important part of every diet in reasonable amounts, too much of it can lead to a serious condition called Hyperkalemia. (5)
This is why you should only feed bananas occasionally, in small amounts. The amount will depend on your dog’s size, but in general a banana per week is enough – divided into slices throughout the week. Start off slowly and see how your dog will react.
Nutrition facts for one medium banana (7″ to 7-7/8″ long):
| Calories | 105 |
| Carbohydrate | 27 grams |
| Dietary fiber | 3.1 grams |
| Sugar | 14 grams |
| Protein | 1.3 grams |
| Fat | 0.4 grams |
In fact, banana is of the highest-calorie fruits, along with avocados, mango, raisins (dried grapes, highly toxic for dogs!), coconut meat… so eating too much bananas could lead to obesity.
How Do I Serve Bananas To My Dog?
Bananas can be served in many different ways, which allows you to be creative if you want to. However, there are a couple of guidelines you should follow when giving this fruit to your dog.
The best way of serving bananas to your dog is by removing the peel and cutting the fruit into bite-sized chunks. You can also mash them together with some other food. It is best not to give the whole banana to your dog, due to it’s high sugar content and potassium levels. Also, the bigger the piece is, the harder the digestion will be.
Another thing – feed your dog ripe banana, not an unripe (green) banana. The health benefits are much better from ripe fruit and your dog will like the taste much more.
If you follow these simple guidelines, there are numerous ways your dog can enjoy eating this healthy fruit. For instance, you can:
- Mash it up with your dog’s normal food
- Stuff it in a toy and freeze it
- Prepare some homemade, natural treats
- Freeze, peel and slice
Can Dogs Eat Banana Peel?
Even though banana peels are not toxic to dogs, they contain a very high level of difficult to digest fiber. The banana peel may cause an intestinal blockage if eaten.
Try keeping banana peels out of your dog or puppy’s reach. If he eats it, he might vomit a few hours later.
Besides these issues high amount of fiber could cause, the large peel can be a chocking hazard to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips?
In this case, it is safe to share some banana chips with your dog. They are a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C. Banana chips make a perfect low-calorie treat that won’t hurt his stomach or cause gastrointestinal issues.
However, this is the case with natural, grain-free banana chips. If you share them occasionally with your dog, he will enjoy a light energy boost that can even calm his stomach when upset.
Do not feed too many as they are high in sugar and may cause diarrhea.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread?
Banana bread isn’t something that’s appropriate for dogs, as most banana bread contains ingredients that are very toxic to dogs. Some possible toxic ingredients include chocolate, raisins or xylitol (a sweetener) – all are very dangerous to dogs.
But, healthy banana bread recipes that don’t contain sugar or sweeteners might not harm your dog if given in small quantities. You should check the list of ingredients carefully to make sure there are no toxic ingredients hiding in there. You shouldn’t overfeed your dog with too many pieces of banana bread, as it can cause an upset tummy.
Conclusion
To sum it up – bananas are perfectly fine for dogs to eat and they’re very healthy as well! They’re rich in potassium, vitamins, and fiber and are especially great for regulating bowel movement.
Banana is very versatile fruit that can be served in many ways, for instance by mashing them up with something else or stuffing a toy with them. The important thing is to feed bananas in moderation, as too much can cause a spike in sugar levels, digestion problems or Hyperkalemia, because of the high potassium level.
Finally, avoid all banana products with additives, sweeteners, chocolate or raisins. If you decide to feed your dog with some banana bread, make sure the serving is small. The healthiest and safest way to give your dog banana- is natural, ripe and in small amounts!
However, if you wish to make some healthy homemade treats your pup will love, check out the recipes we picked out for you.
Homemade Banana Dog Treats
Here are some great recipes you could try out. This, and similar treats can come in very handy when you want to keep your dog busy.
Kong Toy Stuffed Dog Treat
In order to make this treat, you’ll need:
- A banana (ripe)
- Some peanut butter ((low sodium is preferred for pets and must not contain xylitol, which is toxic!)
- A slice of mild cheese
- A blender
- A fillable toy
Combine the ingredients in the blender until they have a smooth consistency, spread the mix over the toy and freeze. Simple and fast!
Frozen Banana Dog Treat
This treat is so easy to make, and it will be a great way to refresh your dog on hot summer days. For this one you will need:
- 1 cup of coconut oil (not too solid, not too liquid)
- 1 cup of peanut butter (low sodium)
- A medium banana
- A silicone mold
Once you peel the banana, place it in a bowl with peanut butter and coconut oil. Then smash it and mix it until it has a good, smooth consistency. If you happen to have some bigger chunks in the mix, just use a fork!
Fill a plastic bag with the mixture, cut the corner with scissors and just fill the mold! Put the mold in the freezer, and once you can see that they are easily separable from the silicone, serve a couple of pieces to your dog!
Banana Chips for Dogs
Banana chips are so easy to make.
All you need to do is to slice a banana about 1/4 inch, sprinkle some lemon juice over and put them in the preheated oven.
The trick is to keep your oven at about 250 degrees, and no more, and bake for 3 hours. Flip the banana chips over after one hour and a half. That’s it!
You can also stuff your dog’s Kong toy with banana chips and provide him with some tasty amusement.
