Can Dogs Eat Bananas? (Solved & Explained)

Yes, bananas are a wonderful snack with many health benefits for your dog. Filled with essential vitamins and nutrients, they are tasty, and most dogs love them!

Benefits Of Bananas For Dogs

1. Improved digestive health. 

One medium-sized banana contains about 2.6g of fiber, which can help regulate digestive tract health. The prebiotic fiber in bananas has also been shown to increase healthy gut bacteria and reduce bloating.

2. Regulated blood pressure levels. 

Bananas are packed with vitamin B6 and potassium, two nutrients that can help regulate your pup’s blood flow.

3. Improved bone strength.

Potassium in bananas can also prevent calcium loss from bones, whereas magnesium promotes healthy bone growth and muscle maintenance.

4. Improved cognitive function

Vitamin B6 also helps improve brain function, making sure your pup’s mind is sharp.

5. Immunity boost. 

Bananas contain vitamin C, which boosts immunity and helps prevent your furry pal from getting sick.

Bananas are a natural source of Vitamin B6. Vitamin C. Vets sometimes recommend them as a treat because they’re rich in potassium and low in sodium and cholesterol, making them healthier than fatty or salty foods.

Like Other Fruits, Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

Like other fruits, bananas contain natural sugar. Too much sugar can cause weight gain, leading to other health issues.

To avoid these negative effects, follow the 90/10 rule. Ninety per cent of your dog’s daily calories should come from his dog food and the other ten from treats.

Some people think bananas will improve symptoms of digestive upset like diarrhoea. Dempsey says, “Bananas aren’t a cure-all for dogs with diarrhoea or constipation.

Instead of feeding your dog more bananas, watch his food intake and reduce the amount to see what he tolerates. Call your veterinarian if diarrhoea and other symptoms don’t resolve within 24 hours.  

If your dog doesn’t seem to like fresh bananas, try them frozen. Freezing a fruit or vegetable is another way of changing its texture to make it interesting.

It probably makes it a different kind of treat in an animal’s eyes since it’s a different texture and temperature experience, says Dempsey. Frozen bananas make for an especially tasty and refreshing treat on hot days.

Before you feed your dog any bananas, consult your veterinarian. They can tell you the right amount for your specific dog based on their dietary needs and weight.

Ways To Feed Bananas To Your Dog

Here are a few favourites:

  • Freeze them, peel them, cut them up, and give your dog a refreshing, frozen treat. These are especially nice on a hot summer day, and they’re super easy to prepare.
  • Mash them up and stir them into your dog’s food. Your dog might love the sweet flavour and enjoy a change of pace from their regular meal.
  • Smush them and stuff them in a toy, Kong, or puzzle feeder. This will give your dog some mental and physical stimulation and help reduce boredom.

Mix them in a treat recipe. You can find plenty of recipes for banana dog treats by searching online.

Some favourite things to mix bananas with include peanut butter (make sure it doesn’t have xylitol) or yogurt. Still, you should also ask your vet before feeding your dog these foods. 

Are Banana Peels Toxic To Dogs?

When it comes to banana peels, be careful. Even though they’re not toxic to dogs, peels are difficult to chew and digest and might result in intestinal blockage.

If you suspect your puppy might have eaten a banana peel, watch for signs of gagging or choking and keep an eye on their bowel movements for a few days.

If they don’t vomit or pass the banana peel, you should take them to the vet. If your pup has eaten multiple banana peels, seek veterinarian help immediately.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Bananas?

The answer is yes. Still, we recommend dehydrating bananas yourself using a dehydrator or your oven.

However, even though they are safe for your furry pal, most commercially available banana chips contain high sugar levels and added preservatives.

Dried bananas (banana chips) are a convenient energy boost when your pup needs a quick snack.