Can Dogs Eat Bananas? (An Ultimate Guide)

Can Dogs Eat Bananas? (An Ultimate Guide)

Yes. Bananas have nutrients that are beneficial to dogs. Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals including potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and fiber, making them an ideal treat that are good for dogs. In fact, some vets recommend bananas as an alternative to salty and fatty dog treats.

However, it matters how dogs are fed bananas since banana peels have been proven to cause health risks. Overfeeding also comes with health and wellness problems since bananas are high in sugar.

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How Much Of A Banana Can A Dog Eat?

If it's up to your canine friend, he/she can eat an entire bunch of bananas. However, that's not a good idea. Given they are packed with sugars and pose some risks, they should only be given as occasional treats.

Anything from ¼ to a whole peeled banana is enough for your dog, depending on their size. Small dogs and puppies should eat a small piece occasionally as a treat.

When Are They Bad For Your Dog?

Unlike humans, dogs are more intolerant to sugar in the diet. In fact, dog’s shouldn’t have any sugar in their diet. Excessive sugar can cause stomach upset, toxicity, cavities, weight gain, diabetes, and unfavorable metabolic changes such as low energy levels and poor muscle tone. If you feed your dog bananas often, they have a high chance of suffering from the above health risks.

While fiber may be good, it should be availed in moderation. Dogs can constipate because of high fiber diets. Most dogs have problems digesting bananas in large quantities. Although it may appear obvious, you shouldn't feed your pup peeled bananas.

While the peels aren’t toxic to dogs, they are incredibly hard to digest and will most probably cause a blockage in your dog’s stomach. Some dogs will vomit banana peels or poop them; however, dogs that eat a large amount of peels can suffer serious blockages.

The importance of keeping bananas out of sight and reach can’t be overemphasized. Some dogs can’t resist the sight of them. To avoid the risks associated with your canine friend eating banana peels, avoid keeping them on your counter-top or anywhere else within your dog’s sight and reach.

Bananas can also cause allergies. Some of the signs of dog allergies to look out for include swelling, difficulty breathing, hives, coughing, and sneezing. If your dog suffers from these symptoms, among many others, because of bananas, find an alternative snack. It's also advisable to visit a vet immediately.

Peeled Back Banana

How To Feed Your Dog Banana

If you decide to give your canine friend bananas, do it modestly as an occasional treat. If you want to add them to your dog's diet, you need to consult your vet. Veterinarians are the best-placed professionals to offer the precise amounts of bananas you should feed your dog based on factors such as their weight, size, etc.

Most importantly, avoid banana foods with foreign and potentially harmful ingredients like spices, herbs, sugar, salt, etc. You should feed your pup 100% organic bananas. Avoid banana treats with artificial ingredients. For instance, instead of feeding banana bread from the store, you can prepare the bread at home. You can make many tasty banana dog treats in the comfort of your home. Here are some good ideas to consider.

I. Frozen Banana Treat For Summer

To make your pup this treat, you just need a few frozen organic bananas. Simply wash, peel and freeze them. This treat is perfect for a hot summer day. Freezing a fruit changes its texture and temperature, making it interesting for your dog. You should give your pup at most one banana a day.

II. Mashed Banana Treat

You can mash a fresh organic banana and add it to a regular dog treat. Alternatively, you can add mashed banana to dog food. This is ideal for dog food that your canine friend may not love but is highly nutritious.

III. Stuffed Banana Treat

You can also make an interesting banana treat for your dog. Instead of feeding them a whole or mashed banana, you can stuff mashed banana in a puzzle feeder or fillable toy. This treat can double up as physical and mental stimulation for your pup when they are bored.

IV. Interesting DIY Banana Dog Recipes

There are many banana recipes you can consider to make banana treats even more enjoyable. The recipes include adding ingredients that our pups love i.e., some yogurt, peanut butter, cheese, etc. However, you must ensure these ingredients are 100% free of any potentially harmful ingredients to dogs. For instance, peanut butter should be free of xylitol, which has been proven to be toxic.

For an interesting DIY banana recipe, you’ll need a ripe organic banana, peanut butter and/or mild cheese. You’ll also and fillable toy.

Instructions

Step 1: Smash your banana in a bowl

Step 2: Add some peanut butter or cheese and mix. You can mix the ingredients using a blender. Mix until you get a smooth consistency

Step 3: Fill the mixture in a fillable toy. If your pup doesn’t like fresh bananas, you can serve them frozen.

Can Bananas Give Dogs Diarrhea?

If your canine friend eats bananas alongside banana peels and other ingredients known to be harmful to dogs, they can exhibit signs of stomach problems like diarrhea or vomiting. This usually goes away when the ingested banana peels are eliminated from your dog’s digestive system. Bananas can also cause constipation.

Do Bananas Help A Dog's Upset Stomach?

The presence of vitamins in bananas may suggest some disease-fighting benefits. However, it’s important to visit a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, they can cause stomach upsets, among other digestive problems in dogs i.e., when dogs overeat bananas or when they eat banana peels.

What Fruits Are Bad For Dogs?

While some fruits and vegetables are highly recommended for humans, they shouldn’t be eaten by your furry friend. Here are some fruits for dogs that pose risks and what you should do according to the American Kennel Club.

1. Apples: Dogs can eat apples. In fact, apples are great sources of Vitamin A & C and fiber. However, the core should be removed since apple seeds can cause cyanide poisoning in dogs. If you must feed apples to your dog, remove the core and feed your pup apple flesh only.

2. Avocado: Dogs can eat avocado. In fact, they love avocado. However, they shouldn't eat avocado because of the risks associated with consumption. Avocado can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Avocado skin, leaves, and the pit contain persin – a toxin known to cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs.

3. Cherries: Dogs shouldn't eat cherries. Cherries can cause cyanide poisoning in dogs disrupting cellular oxygen transport. Some side effects to look out for include: difficulty breathing, red gums, and dilated pupils.

4. Grapes: Dogs shouldn't eat grapes. Grapes are toxic to them regardless of age, size, or breed. Grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs. You should keep grapes out of sight and reach if you have a dog.

5. Tomatoes: Dogs shouldn't eat tomatoes because they contain solanine – a toxic substance that is potentially fatal when consumed by dogs in large quantities. Solanine can cause diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and lethargy, among other symptoms.

6. Watermelon: While dogs can eat watermelon, the seeds and rind should be removed to prevent intestinal blockage. Watermelon is packed with water, potassium, and vitamins. However, the seeds and rind pose some risks.

7. Peaches and plums: They can eat peaches and plums. However, the seeds and pits must be removed to avoid intestinal blockages. Peach and plum pits can also cause cyanide poisoning in dogs as well as humans.

Important: While fruits appear to be healthy for both dogs and humans, people know how to eat peaches and plums safely. Dogs don’t! The stems, seeds, rind, and leaves pose serious health risks. While you must avoid giving your dog avocadoes, grapes, cherries, and tomatoes, some fruits which are potentially not safe for dogs can be made safe by removing the seeds, leaves, peels core, stem, and leaves.

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Something They Shouldn’t Eat?

There are precautions you must take to ensure your canine friend doesn't snack on potentially dangerous fruits or snacks. For instance, keeping risky fruits and human foods away from your dog’s sight or reach is a great place to start. You can also avoid buying "lethal" fruits in your household.

However, there are foods you can't eliminate in your home. What's more, you may run out of food options in your house if you eliminate everything that is potentially harmful to your dog. It's, therefore, better to be vigilant and prepared for the worst.

If your canine friend feasts on avocado, they'll probably have diarrhea, which clears out with time. If they feast on small quantities of a potentially dangerous fruit, monitor them closely and visit a vet at the first sign of severe side effects. You can call your vet immediately to get some advice. If your pup has eaten small amounts of banana peels, apple seeds, tomato, etc., they can survive such episodes. If there are serious symptoms, visit a vet immediately.

You should also consult your vet if you aren't sure if a certain type of food or fruit is safe for your furry friend.

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The information on this page is not a substitute for veterinary help. Please contact a vet for help with any concerns that you have.

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