Key Points:
- Dogs can eat bananas, but they should be offered in moderation.
- Bananas provide dogs with vitamins C and B6, potassium, and dietary fiber.
- While not toxic, the banana peel can be hard for dogs to digest and may cause an upset stomach.
You may have wondered if you can feed bananas to your dog, especially if your pooch is giving you begging eyes whenever you peel the fruit. Or, if your pup has already gobbled up some slices of banana, you may find yourself panic-searching for which human foods your dog can and cannot eat.
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat bananas. While not a typical ingredient in dog food, bananas are full of antioxidants and vitamins that can benefit your dog’s health. Just make sure to remove the banana peel and keep their consumption moderate to avoid doggy diarrhea.
Read on to learn how bananas can affect your dog’s digestive system and overall health, how much banana consumption is too much, and the best ways to serve up puppy-friendly banana treats.
Are bananas good for dogs?
Bananas can be a healthy treat for dogs as long as they’re eaten in moderation. The fruit contains plenty of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C, all of which support your dog’s health.
One medium ripe banana contains approximately:
- 100 calories
- 0 grams fat
- 1 gram protein
- 28 grams carbohydrate
- 15 grams sugar
- 3 grams fiber
- 450 milligrams potassium
Bananas are naturally low in sodium and cholesterol, which is more than we can say about many packaged dog treats that contain excessive fats or preservatives. They’re also chock-full of essential vitamins and antioxidants.
Potassium is the main nutrient we associate with bananas, and it’s vital to your dog’s health. Like humans, dogs need potassium to help their muscles and heart function. Without potassium, your pup might seem unusually tired or weak — but luckily, most dog food brands include it in their kibble recipes.
Dogs can benefit from the extra potassium in a couple of banana slices, and they also stand to gain small boosts in vitamin B6 and vitamin C. These essential vitamins support your dog’s immune system and help to reduce inflammation. The magnesium in bananas is also good for bone growth and general wellness.
Feeding your pup the occasional banana treat can help prevent weight gain, stomach upset, or constipation in your dog. If your dog hasn’t tried bananas before, just be sure to monitor them for changes in digestion and possible choking.
How much banana can dogs eat in a day?
With all this talk about nutrients, you might think that a banana a day could keep the veterinarian away. You’d be wrong — too much human food is never a good thing for your dog. This is especially true about bananas due to their high sugar content.
Too much fiber content can also mess with your dog’s digestion. Dog owners who want to avoid a cleanup on aisle #2 may want to keep their fur kids away from fruit for this reason.
Remember that dogs are meat-eaters first, so fruits and vegetables should only make up a small portion of your dog’s diet. A large dog can eat a half of a banana as one serving, while smaller dogs should not have more than a few small slices of banana at a time.
4 safe ways to feed your dog bananas
Bananas can serve as a great dog treat every once in a while. Plus, they’re convenient to bring on the go! Here are a few ways you can serve your dog bananas as an occasional treat.
- Slices: Slice up the fresh fruit into small pieces to avoid a choking hazard. Make sure you discard the banana peel before you offer the slices to your dog.
- Frozen: Slice and freeze bananas for a treat that’ll keep your pup cool all summer. You may want to top them with peanut butter or yogurt before freezing for an extra-sweet reward.
- Fillable dog toys: Fill a dog toy (like a KONG) with mashed bananas and freeze it for a snack that will keep your dog mentally stimulated too!
- DIY banana treats: Commercially prepared banana chips may contain sugar and preservatives your dog doesn’t need. Try baking thin banana slices in your oven until they’re crispy for a healthy snack you and your pup can share.
What do I do if my dog gets sick from eating bananas?
Luckily, bananas are some of the safer human foods that dogs can eat. But, sometimes a swallowed peel or a sensitive stomach can cause discomfort. Banana peels are not toxic to dogs, but they do contain high amounts of fiber that can be tough on a doggie’s digestive system.
Unless your dog starts vomiting, having diarrhea, or is straining to go number two, you probably don’t need to take them to the vet for munching on a banana peel. Other fruit peels (like orange rinds) can do a lot more damage to a dog’s system.
Still, accidental ingestions and intestinal blockages are some of the most common reasons for emergency veterinary care, according to Pumpkin’s claims data. Even if a banana is unlikely to land your pet in the emergency room, having pet insurance means you can take your dog to the vet without worrying too much about the cost. So, if your pup has a tendency to sneakily eat human foods (or if you’re just trying to give them the best care possible), consider getting a free quote from Pumpkin today.
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