In a nutshell, yes, dogs can safely eat bananas! But as with feeding all human food to our beloved pets a bit of caution is needed. Although bananas are jammed packed with healthy nutrients and vitamins which can help our dog’s diets but please note, they also contain a high amount of sugar which in high doses can be harmful to our canine companion’s health.
At perfectpuppypal.com, we are not qualified veterinarians or animal nutritionists. The information that we provide is general and educational information only and is not a substitute for professional advice.
Let us look a little deeper, shall we?
What are the benefits of feeding dogs bananas?
We all know that bananas are a healthy and nutritious snack for us humans right? Well, luckily the same can be for our four-legged friends as well!
Bananas are rich in various vitamins and nutrients which could have a positive effect on the growth and wellbeing of our pups. It’s always important to feed our beloved pets a healthy and balanced diet, so any snacks or treats should only make up a small part of what they are fed.
So let’s delve a little deeper into what vitamins, minerals, and nutrients bananas contain and what benefits they can have for our furry friend’s health:
- I am sure we are all aware that bananas contain a high level of potassium which has some great all-round benefits for our pooches health. Not only does it aid in strengthening bones and muscles, but this mineral can also do wonders when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart and our pet’s kidneys.
- Fibre is a substance that is found in abundance when it comes to our favourite yellow coloured fruit! Fibre is so important as it helps to firm up the stool of our beloved pets preventing diarrhoea but also does the job of aiding food travel through the digestive system so in the right amounts can also aid in preventing constipation too, what a bonus don’t you think?
- Also rich in magnesium, which is important as it assists the body when it comes to absorbing nutrients and vitamins more efficiently as well as helping muscles and nerves work properly.
- Vitamin C is also found in bananas and is best known for strengthening the immune system. But other health benefits include the absorption of iron, the maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth as well as aiding in healing wounds.
- Another important health benefit from eating bananas is the presence of Vitamin B6. This vitamin is significant to protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism and the creation of red blood cells.
What are the risks involved with dogs eating bananas?
As with most fruits, bananas also contain a high sugar content. So, as mentioned before caution must be taken not to overfeed our pets any sugary foods.
Too much sugar in our dog’s diet could lead to them developing certain health issues such as diabetes, abdominal problems and obesity, none of us would want this now, would we?
We all know that fibre is an important part of a healthy balanced diet, but due to its high fibre content, bananas when consumed in high amounts by our furry friends could result in a painful bout of constipation.
What about banana peel, is it safe for my dog to consume?
It is generally considered that feeding banana peel to our canine companions is not a good idea. The peel contains a very high fibre content so it is very difficult for our dogs to digest properly.
This could lead to some very serious episodes of constipation or even worse. intestinal blockages if enough peel is consumed.
Of course, there are some dogs out there that would be able to digest banana peel easily enough, but I for one would not run the risk, therefore I believe it is much better to avoid the peel altogether.
If you suspect that your pup has eaten some banana peel behind your back and seems to be having trouble when trying to do their business, then maybe a quick trip to your local vet is in order. It’s always better to be safe than sorry in my opinion!
So, how much banana can my dog safely eat?
There are a few factors to consider here such as the size or breed of your dog as well as their age and overall physical condition.
It is generally said that medium to large dogs can safely eat about half a banana a day. For smaller dogs, it is recommended no more than a quarter of a banana be eaten daily.
If you have a young pup who is still in the early stages of growth, then it’s best not to mess around with their diet by adding extras here and there, as their nutritional needs are different from adult dogs.
The same can be said about our canine companions who are reaching the twilight of their lives too. There may be some underlying health problems and feeding them bananas (or any other foods that are not in their regular diet for that matter), could have the potential to do more harm than good. So check with your vet beforehand.
Can dogs safely eat bananas?
So, there we have it! As with most foods, when eaten in moderation, bananas can be a healthy addition to our pet’s diet. Just remember to look out for any allergies your dog may have and any excessive straining when out on a business trip!
Although they contain lots of healthy vitamins and minerals, please remember the high sugar count as well.
As we mentioned, try to avoid feeding them the peel as it could lead to some nasty side effects.
As always though, if in doubt about changing or adding things to your pup’s diet, we always recommend seeking your vet’s advice first.
If you have anything you would like to share about any experiences you have had when feeding bananas to your beloved friend or would like to add your point of view then please feel free to leave a comment below.