We all know the health benefits of bananas. We use these delicious yellow fruits in smoothies, sliced up on top of our favorite cereals, or tucked away in your child’s lunchbox. But what about your furry friend… can dogs have bananas?
If you’re searching for a quick answer, it’s yes.
Bananas for dogs is perfectly okay but in moderation. This is excellent news for your pooch who’s probably wagging his tail eagerly and salivating in front of you at this very moment.
However, if you have a bit more time, I strongly suggest that you continue reading through this article.
I have provided a lot more information regarding the health benefits, perfect portion sizes, possible side effects, and digestive issues of giving a banana to your dog.
Health Facts About Bananas for Dogs
Many fruits can cause an upset stomach and even weight gain in your dog – thankfully, bananas are not one of them. In fact, feeding your dog an occasional treat of mashed banana is a great snack that’s a healthy alternative to a regular dog chew.
Regular ripe bananas aren’t going to cause any problems for your dog if given in small quantities.
The problem with this fruit is the banana peel, which could potentially cause health issues and digestive issues.
Okay, back to some more of the benefits of feeding this special treat to your dog. Bananas are packed full of high levels of potassium, vitamins B and C, and other essential vitamins, all of which make this fruit the perfect superfood to ensure your dog has a healthy, balanced diet.
Now I don’t recommend that you stop feeding your dog their regular kibble in favor of a diet solely of bananas!
Your dog needs to be fed a quality meat-based canine-formulated diet; they can’t live on bananas alone!
I suggest that you feed your dog small quantities of bananas as a healthy snack or treat – as a reward for something they have done.
Speaking of dog treats, my dogs love these banana and chicken chip treats, believe it or not, but they are made from banana.
They’re a safe snack that contains no additional sugar, low-calorie intake, and are completely dog friendly.
How Much Banana Can A Dog Eat?
This is where it can get a little tricky to determine, there isn’t one rule for all, and the safe amount of banana to give to your dog depends on their size and weight.
If you overfeed your dog bananas, you may have to visit your local veterinarian (more on the risks below). But don’t be put off.
The risks are still minimal, and the health benefits greatly outweigh any possible negatives.
I am not a veterinarian, so I cannot give expert advice, but feeding a medium-sized dog half a banana or a couple of medium bananas two times a week is going to be a safe serving size that will complement your dog’s regular diet.
Smaller dogs will be okay with just only a few small pieces mashed into their dog food.
What Are The Risks of My Dog Eating Bananas?
Bananas are packed full of potassium, and while this essential nutrient is very healthy, it can also be detrimental to your dog in large doses.
Excessive amounts of potassium in your dog’s diet might lead to heart complications.
Even though this is very rare, and a considerable quantity of bananas would have to be consumed, there is a risk with high potassium intake in dogs.
On the plus side, giving your dog the occasional banana is going to be an excellent way to boost your pooches’ digestive system and overall health, as I mentioned earlier.
But remember, less is more. A small amount of this sweet treat is going to be more beneficial.
Bananas And Digestive Health
Many of the vets I have spoken to recommend feeding your dog bananas if they’re suffering from inflammation of the colon colitis or any other problems associated with the bowel.
Bananas have a high fiber content and come packed with healthy enzymes that can help to soothe irritations and problems in the intestines of dogs.
Adding small portions of banana to a dog’s diet can also control and ease the colon spasm, but again, less is more, and too much can have an adverse effect, which is why portion size matters when you add this fruit to your dog’s diet.
How About Banana Dog Treats?
You can find plenty of recipes for healthy homemade banana dog treats by doing a quick search online.
Trust me, your dog will go wild for a piece of banana instead of his regular dull dog treat.
Use a piece of banana as a reward, perfect for when you’re training your dog to stop peeing in the house. Raw natural bananas are the best option for your dog instead of processed chips due to the added preservative.
However, dried natural pieces are also perfectly fine as a healthier alternative.
If you are looking for a healthy banana dog treat, I recommend these Puffsters for Dogs Chicken and Banana Treats.
Benefits of Dogs Eating Bananas
So you reached the end, by now you should be aware of the benefits of giving a small amount of banana to your dog.
Remember, bananas are packed full of high levels of minerals and vitamins, making this fruit beneficial for both humans and your furry friend.
Bananas are among some of the most nutritious fruits, they have low sugar content, they’re high in antioxidants, which can be beneficial to your dog’s coat, and skin, plus the added vitamin C, vitamin A, can also aid in boosting your dog’s overall immune system.
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