Can Dogs Eat Bananas Safely? Know All About it Here!

What are the Health Benefits of Bananas for Dogs?

Dogs can eat bananas but they may not be able to benefit from them as humans do. Still, bananas offer a good option and source for a number of essential nutrients. Like us, dogs also need a balanced diet about 90% of the time.

Treating your dog occasionally with a tasty treat is a great way of showing your love.

Fresh fruits and vegetables make great dog treats and bananas make a par excellence choice for it. The fruit is inexpensive and is available 365 days of the year. Bananas have a high amount of fiber, magnesium, potassium, and a number of other essential nutrients.

This is what makes them better than packaged dog treats. Below are the key nutrients that your dog gets from bananas.

Fiber - fiber is important for your dog’s digestive health and bananas have a healthy source of it. It helps in moving the food along the intestinal tract easily and resolving digestive issues.

Vitamin C - it is a potent antioxidant that helps in improving your dog’s immune system and improving red blood cell production.

Potassium - helps in strengthening kidneys, heart, bones, and developing the muscles. Also helps in regulating the levels and movement of the fluids.

Magnesium - keeps the bones healthy and enables the body to use the nutrients like minerals and vitamins in a better way.

Biotin - supports the development of the muscles and promotes healthy and shiny coat and skin.

Vitamin B6 - an important coenzyme that keeps the brain and body functioning properly. Helps in promoting several body systems including the balancing of the fluids, building of protein, regulating of the hormones, and supporting of the body’s neurotransmitters.

However, this does not mean that you can give bananas to your dog blindly. They have loads of nutrients but they are also packed with sugar. Therefore, keep the amount low.

What Parts of Bananas are Safe for Dogs?

All parts of a banana are safe for your dog. Dogs are impatient and sometimes they may gobble up the whole thing, including the peel. ‘Can dogs eat banana peels?’ The peel is non-toxic but could cause an upset stomach and other digestive issues.

They contain a lot of fiber that is not easily digestible. Therefore, do not feed the peel to your dog. It may cause blockage and constipation, which is not good for your canine.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips?

Banana chips are crispy and tasty snacks for humans but be careful when you feed the packaged chips to your dog. Many of them have preservatives, sugar, and salt, which are bad for dogs.

Alternatively, you can make the chips for your dog at home and bake them instead of frying them. When doing it, do not add salt and sugar and make plain chips.

Can Dogs Eat Green Bananas?

No, green or raw bananas may not be good for your dog. We know that you really like them but your dog may not like them that much. Being hard and raw, your dog will not be able to digest them easily.

Can Dogs Eat Frozen Bananas?

If your dog does not like the taste of bananas then freezing them before giving them to your dog will make an excellent summer treat for your pooch. Some dogs may not like the taste of bananas. For them, just cut the banana into small pieces and freeze them.

Bananas are excellent treats for dogs and there are a number of ways through which you could give them to Coco.

Can Dogs Eat Bananas with Peanut Butter?

Yes, peanut butter is safe for dogs and could be combined with bananas to make a tasty homemade treat for your dog. It is an excellent source of vitamins, healthy fats, protein, and niacin for your dog but you must give it in moderation.

‘What kind of peanut butter is good for my dog?’

Any kind will be fine but make sure that it does not have chocolate or xylitol in it. Xylitol could be fatal for your dog as consuming it could cause seizures, diarrhea, and low blood sugar.

To keep your dog safe, do not give your dog anything that contains xylitol.

Homemade and Simple Banana Treats for Dogs

‘How to feed bananas to my dog?’

There are a number of ways to feed your dog bananas. You can either give the banana directly or make different treats from it. Below are some easy-to-make and delicious banana treats for your dog. You can take these treats on a flight when you are flying with a dog.

1. Frozen Banana - freeze the banana and cut them into small slices.

2. 3-Ingredient Banana Treat - mix 1 ripe banana, 3 tablespoons of peanut butter, and 1 to 1/1/2 cups of oats together. Make small balls and roll them again in some crushed oats.

3. Banana Ice-cream for Dogs - freeze 1 ripe banana and mix it with 1 tablespoon peanut butter and 2 tablespoons plain yogurt. Place them in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve with some sprinkles of dog cookies.

Besides, you can also mash and mix it with your dog’s food to add a new and delicious flavor to it. Or, you can freeze them in a Kong or a puzzle feeder to keep your dog motivated and mentally stimulated.

How Often Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

Generally, you should keep the bananas as occasional treats and not an everyday thing. Bananas are sweet and high in sugar and fiber content that could upset your pooch’s stomach if not given in moderation.

As a rule of thumb, small dogs should not eat more than 2 to three small pieces of banana per day while for big and large dogs, half a banana per day is enough. Small amounts of bananas and banana dog treats are safe for canines.

It should not be offered and given in place of any meal and for puppies, you should not give them anything without asking the vet first. They have specific diets that help in their growth and development, and the banana’s high fiber content could be difficult for them to digest.

What Other Fruits can Dogs Eat Safely?

‘What fruits are safe for my dog?’

Other than bananas, there are a number of fruits that are safe for your canine. However, no matter what fruit you give to your dog, give it in moderation and do not overdo it.

Below is a list of dog-safe fruits.

• Apples
• Blueberries
• Cantaloupe
• Cranberries
• Cucumbers
• Mangoes
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Pears
• Pineapples
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Watermelon

All of these fruits make excellent occasional treats for canines and offer a different and delicious taste to them.

Which Fruits are Dangerous for Canines?

Below are the fruits that you must NEVER give to your dog.

• Tomatoes
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Avocados
• Raisins
• Nuts
• Rhubarb
• Grapefruit
• Plums

All of these fruits, including their seeds, are dangerous for dogs and must not be given to them. Bananas are excellent for you and Coco and something that both of you can enjoy together. However, keep a close eye that he does not eat it in a large amount and is not having persistent digestive issues due to bananas.