Are Bananas play for dogs?

Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially “people foods.” What might be okay for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.

Giving fruits and vegetables to your dog as a snack can be a healthy treat, filled with vitamins and minerals. But keep in mind that certain fruits or veggies can be toxic for dogs to eat, like grapes and raisins.

Bananas are a common and healthy fruit for people, and lots of dogs will happily beg for a bite of banana as well.

Read on to learn more about how to safely serve your dog bananas, their health benefits for dogs, and how much banana your dog can eat.

Are Bananas Good for Dogs?

Bananas are safe for dogs to eat, and they also come with some health benefits. But like a lot of fruits, moderation is key. Smaller dogs and puppies should generally get smaller amounts to prevent any stomach upset.

The main drawback to bananas for dogs is their high sugar content. Too much sugar in your dog’s diet can cause various health problems, including weight gain and diabetes. And if your dog is already overweight or has diabetes or other health issues, they should not be getting the extra sugar from bananas or other fruits.

Health Benefits of Bananas for Dogs

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t expect a significant nutritional benefit from giving your dog the small amount of banana that’s okay for them.

That being said, bananas do contain a variety of vitamins and minerals:

Fiber is known for helping solve gastrointestinal issues. It promotes stool health and regularity.
Vitamin C promotes bone, cartilage, and teeth health. And it boosts the immune system, helps the body absorb iron, and helps wounds heal quicker.
Vitamin B6 helps with mood and cognitive function, balances the amino acid levels in the blood, boosts the immune system, and helps protect against infection.
Potassium is a type of electrolyte that helps muscles contract, supports normal blood pressure, and helps regulate the levels of fluid in the cells.
Magnesium helps support nerve and muscle function, supports energy production, may promote heart health, and has anti-inflammatory benefits.
Biotin not only helps with hair, skin, and nail health, but it also promotes brain function, suppresses inflammation, and boosts immunity.

Can Bananas Help With Dog Diarrhea or Constipation?

Bananas have high fiber content, which can help with gastrointestinal issues in dogs. However, this is somewhat offset by their sugar content. Too much sugar (or fiber) can cause your dog to have diarrhea.

Typically, the fiber in the banana should help your dog have healthier bowel movements. However, too much fiber could cause constipation in dogs. Only give your dog bananas occasionally in small portions as a treat.

Carrots and pumpkin are also high in fiber and can help with your dog’s stomach upset. They both have more fiber and less sugar than bananas.

Between all three, pumpkin has the least sugar and the most fiber. This is why veterinarians often recommend canned pumpkin for dogs who have mild constipation.

Can Dogs Be Allergic to Bananas?

Just like with humans, dogs can have food allergies. So if your dog has never had bananas before, try testing them out by only giving your dog a small amount.

Then watch for signs of food intolerance in the short-term (not an allergy). This will show up as gastrointestinal distress in the form of vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the belly, or lethargy (low energy).

Skin and ear conditions, including chronic itchiness, skin lesions, or ear infections, occur more chronically and take a while to develop.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Peels?

When feeding your dog bananas as a treat, it’s important to make sure they don’t eat the banana peel. Although they are not naturally toxic to dogs, banana peels often contain a large amount of pesticides.

They’re also not easily digestible and can cause an intestinal blockage. That means that the banana peel could block part or all of your dog’s intestines—preventing any liquids or solids from passing through.

Signs of intestinal blockage are:

Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Weakness and lethargy
Diarrhea
Constipation
Weight loss

If you suspect that your dog may have an intestinal blockage, take them into your veterinary clinic immediately. If your vet’s office is closed, reach out to an emergency veterinary hospital.

Your vet may recommend anything from fluid therapy to surgery, depending on the severity of the blockage.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips or Dried Bananas?

Dried banana chips are not recommended for several reasons. If not chewed, they can absorb water, swell, and cause an obstruction that could even need to be removed surgically.

In addition, banana chips purchased from the store often contain unwanted preservatives and high levels of sugar.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread?

If you happen to drop a piece of banana bread on the floor, and your pup scoops it up before you do, double-check the ingredients list. Banana bread could contain things like raisins, xylitol, or nutmeg—which are all toxic to dogs.

If your dog accidentally eats banana bread that contains any harmful ingredients—or you’re unsure of the ingredients—contact your veterinarian immediately.

If you’ve made the banana bread at home and you’re sure there are no toxic ingredients, your dog should be fine. But remember that sweet treats like this usually have a high sugar content, which can upset your dog’s stomach. So it’s not the best choice as a dog treat.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Pudding?

Banana pudding should be avoided. Pudding has a high sugar content, preservatives, and possibly other ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Again, if your dog ate some banana pudding, it’s always safest to contact your veterinarian for advice.

Can Dogs Eat Frozen Bananas?

Giving your dog an entire frozen banana would be dangerous, both because the serving is too large—which may upset their stomach—and because it could be swallowed and cause an intestinal blockage.

However, mashing up a little bit of the banana, putting it in your dog’s KONG toy, and then freezing it can be a delicious and entertaining treat for your pup.

How Much Banana Can Dogs Eat?

With any dog treat—even the healthy ones—treats should only make up 10% of your dog’s diet. The other 90% should come from a well-balanced dog food diet. In general, this means a whole banana would be too much, especially for smaller or younger dogs.

Here are some generally safe amounts of banana based on a dog’s weight. Each “slice” should only be ¼-inch thick:

Extra-small dog (2-20 lbs.) = 1-2 slices of banana

Small dog (21-30 lbs.) = 2-3 slices of banana

Examples: Basenjis, Beagles, Miniature Australian Shepherds

Medium dog (31-50 lbs.) = 5-6 slices of banana

Large dog (51-90 lbs.) = handful of slices

Extra-large dog (91+ lbs.) = half of a banana

If you think your dog ate too much banana, look out for symptoms of an upset stomach, including:

Decreased appetite or loss of appetite
Fatigue
Drinking less water
Acting depressed
Looking uncomfortable
Gulping or licking their lips, the air, or objects

If you see these symptoms, call your vet. If you see worsening symptoms like vomiting, excessive diarrhea, blood in their vomit or stool, weakness, or collapse, take your dog to the vet immediately.

How to Feed Your Dog Bananas

When feeding bananas to your dog, it’s best to follow a few simple guidelines to help keep them safe:

Remove the banana peel
Cut into small pieces
Give in moderation

Some of the ways you can safely feed bananas to your dog include:

Mashed bananas can be added on top of your dog’s food.
Frozen and mashed bananas can be put into your dog’s KONG. You can even make a peanut butter and banana dog popsicle by mixing a little bit of a mashed banana with some peanut butter and a little water. Stuff this mixture into your KONG before freezing it.
Cut the banana into small, ¼-inch thick pieces and give them to your dog like small treats.
Fruit smoothies can be made from blended frozen banana pieces, along with other dog-safe fruits like strawberries and blueberries, plus some sugar-free—and xylitol-free—plain yogurt.

Featured Image: iStock.com/Floortje

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Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

Dogs are such a special part of the family. They provide us with companionship, unconditional love, and hours of entertainment. When it comes to taking care of our furry friends, we only want the best for them. Bananas are one of the most common people foods we have in our homes so at one point or another, we’ve all pondered if dogs can eat bananas. Good news is YES! Bananas are a healthy snack for dogs, and even be incorporated into your dogs meals.

In this blog, we will outline the benefits of bananas, show you how to use bananas when cooking for your dog and some fun treats and dog food recipes.

The Benefits of Bananas for Dogs

Just like humans, dogs need a balanced diet to stay healthy and active. Bananas are a great snack for dogs because they are packed with nutrients and have many health benefits. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of bananas for dogs and some easy recipes for banana-based dog treats.

Bananas are an excellent source of dietary potassium, vitamin C, dietary fiber, magnesium and vitamin B6. They are also low calorie and low in sodium, making them a great snack for dogs who are watching their weight. Potassium is an essential mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and heart function. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help boost the immune system and protect against cell damage. Dietary fiber aids in digestion and keeps dogs feeling full longer. And vitamin B6 is essential for energy metabolism, cognitive function, and nervous system health. Bananas have manganese which helps our dogs produce collagen and can protect against free radicals. With banana’s high fibre content they can help support gastrointestinal health and alleviate constipation. Bananas also are rich in biotin which is a vitamin b that can support digestion. In short, bananas are a nutritional powerhouse that can help keep dogs healthy both inside and out. As with anything moderation is key. When introducing new foods into your dog’s diet start with small quantities and never overdo it with large amounts. Also please don’t give your dog banana peels ever, while they are not toxic they can cause blockages in a dog.

Cook your own Banana-Based Dog Food

Now that you know all about the nutritional benefits of bananas for dogs, it’s time to get cooking! We are going to show you how to cook nutritious food for your dog with bananas.

Our first way is using Dog Child’s Organic Oats & Berries Meal Mix to cook delicious nutrient-rich food. This Meal Mix for dogs is filled with delicious bananas and blueberries rich in potassium. You simply add a scoop of our Meal Mix to a ground protein of your choice with water and oil and voila you have fresh homemade dog food. Our meal mixes are high in fibre and have our proprietary blend of probiotics and prebiotics. Cooking fresh food has never been easier with only 15 minutes a week. Please consult our detailed feeding guidelines to ensure you’re feeding complete and balanced meals. Our meal mixes were developed with pet nutritionists and veterinarians.

Another way to incorporate bananas into your dog’s meals is with our Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal for Dogs recipe. This dog food recipe was developed by a leading pet nutritionist using our Essential Nutrient Mix to make a complete and balanced meal for your dog with a high fiber content. This recipe is rich in antioxidants. Always remember when using peanut butter to make sure there is no xylitol in it as this can be very toxic to dogs.

Banana Dog Treat Recipes

You’ve read why as a dog owner and dog parent feeding bananas is healthy for all dog breeds. So if you’re looking for a healthier alternative to commercial dog treats, why not give bananas a try? Your dog will love them! These seven recipes for banana-based dog treats are sure to be a hit with your furry friend.

Homemade Banana Peanut Butter Banana Yoghurt Dog Treats

These tasty treats are easy to make and only require three ingredients: ripe bananas, natural peanut butter, and plant-based yoghurt. You can also mix this into a kong as a good enrichment activity. Check out this delicious frozen recipe here:

Banana Oatmeal Dog Biscuits

These biscuits are perfect for picky eaters or dogs with sensitive stomachs since they contain no artificial flavours or colors. Thy

Start by mixing together 1/2 cup of quick oats, 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a medium bowl.

In another bowl (or a glass measuring cup), whisk together 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce, 1 mashed banana, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil until smooth.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix everything together until well combined.

Use a spoon or your hands to form the dough into small balls or shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

Allow the biscuits to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Banana Chips

These are super simple to make and a great low calorie dog treat.

All you need is bananas Preheat your oven to 250F.

Cut your banana in slices to approximately 1/8” thick or into small pieces arrange on a baking tray with parchment paper.

Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours flipping them halfway.

Let cool and your pup will enjoy this healthy dog treat. Remember to use his only as an occasional treat as they are high in sugar.

Check out some other banana recipes for dogs on our recipe page that include

So if you’re looking for a healthier alternative to commercial dog treats, why not give bananas a try? Your dog will love them!

In summary bananas are not only delicious but also nutritious!

1. Bananas are packed with nutrients that are essential for dogs including vitamins B6, C, and potassium.

2. They are also a good source of dietary fiber which can help with digestive system.

3. In addition, bananas contain compounds that can help boost a dog’s immune system.

4. Unlike some commercial dog treats that are high in sugar and calories, bananas are low in calories and fat.

5. Bananas are an all-natural treat that you can feel good about giving your dog.

The next time you’re at the grocery store picking up some snacks for yourself, don’t forget to grab some bananas for your furry friend too! And if you’re feeling extra generous (or just want to bake something special for your pup),

Sustainability Tip

Banana Peels can be saved and soaked in water for 12 hours then use the water in your house plants. The potassium-filled filled water is great for your plants.