Can Dogs Eat Banana? When Are Bananas Bad for Dogs?

Is your dog going bananas each time he sees a banana? Well, you can’t really blame him given the aromatic scent and sweet fruity flavor of this go-to healthy snack. But, can dogs eat banana? How about banana peels?

Can Dogs Eat Banana?

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. This healthy fruit is not toxic for them, but just like any other human food, it’s best consumed in moderation.

And unlike other fruits that contain toxic components, every part of a banana is safe for dogs. Nonetheless, you won’t want to feed your dog too much banana because it can also give him an upset stomach, especially if he consumes the entire fruit.

With this being said, a dog’s digestive system works differently from us, humans. There are certain foods, fruits, and vegetables that they are not able to process efficiently.

And this also explains why dogs can’t get the same nutritional benefits that we can get from eating bananas.

But still, fresh bananas can be a healthy treat for your canine companions. And most dogs enjoy eating bananas, too.

So, if you are looking for a great treat or reward for your dog during his training, then, you can prepare some small slices of peeled bananas for him.

However, if you are wondering if your puppies can also eat bananas, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian.

Puppies don’t only need a complete and balanced diet as with adult dogs, but they also need a diet that is loaded with beneficial nutrients appropriate for their age.  

Are Bananas Safe for Dogs?

Yes, bananas are perfectly safe for dogs as they don’t contain toxic components and toxins just like with other fruits, nuts, and other human foods, such as grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, cherries, garlic, onions, and chocolates.

So, you won’t have to worry about causing harm to your dog the way these foods can do to your pup. For example, the flesh of cherries is safe for dogs, but the rest of its parts contain cyanide.

This toxic chemical compound can disrupt cellular oxygen transport, which can deprive the blood cells of oxygen. Additionally, with their round and small shape, cherries can also cause blockage to your dog’s intestinal tract and can also put him at risk for choking.

Meanwhile, while the entire banana fruit, including its peel, is not toxic to dogs, it’s also not advisable to give your dog the whole fruit because it can cause digestive upset leading to vomiting and diarrhea.

And these reactions indicate that your dog’s body isn’t accustomed to processing all the fiber that a banana peel contains. 

Hence, when you are giving your dog bananas, it’s best to give him small portions that are already sliced and peeled.

This is especially true if it’s your first time adding this fruit to your dog’s diet. As always, with any new food that you add to your dog’s regular meal, you should start will small portions.

And don’t forget to observe your dog’s reaction, paying special attention to allergic reactions, and stomach upset. If you notice any unusual reaction, get the remaining fruit right away and stop feeding banana to your pup.

You might also want to seek veterinary guidance depending on your dog’s condition. And you can ask him for a consult regarding what other fruits and vegetables can you safely add to your dog’s food or you can safely give to your pup as a tasty treat.

Are Bananas Good for Dogs?

Bananas are a natural source of essential vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients. They are a healthy source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, which are useful in promoting your dog’s immune system, nervous system, and overall health.

Some vets also recommend bananas as an occasional treat because they are low in cholesterol and sodium and high in potassium.

And with their high potassium content, bananas are a reliable partner in supporting your dog’s heart, and kidneys, as well as in promoting healthy bone density. Hence, compared with other salty foods and dog treats, sliced bananas are way healthier.

Additionally, bananas are rich in fiber, which makes them helpful in promoting healthy digestion and in relieving gastrointestinal problems.

Bananas also contain magnesium, which is good in promoting healthy bone growth and in enhancing the body’s absorption of protein and other vitamins.

However, since you should only give this fruit to your dog in small amounts, he won’t also benefit from all of these nutrients.

But at the end of the day, at least, he won’t get hurt, and you are also not depriving him of the foods that he wants, especially if your dog likes eating bananas.

When Are Bananas Bad for Dogs?

Just like most fruits, bananas are loaded with sugar that can be problematic for dogs.

When taken in high amounts, the buildup of sugar inside your dog’s body may cause weight gain, which can eventually lead to obesity, diabetes, and other weight-related health issues.

So, it’s definitely not advisable to feed bananas to overweight and diabetic dogs. Or if your dog has any underlying illness, it’s best to consult your veterinarian first before serving some mashed bananas even as a healthy snack.

And though, your dog would have to take huge amounts of banana for a long time for him to experience these long-term complications, it’s still safer to err on the side of caution.

Also, too much banana in your dog’s diet can cause indigestion and constipation. And as discussed earlier, if you feed bananas together with their peels, your dog may experience stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.

And as with any human food, there’s also a chance that your dog may be allergic to bananas. Hence, you should pay attention to any allergic reaction after he eats even a small portion of this healthy fruit.

Some of the signs that you should watch out for include hives, swelling, difficulty of breathing, coughing, and sneezing. If you notice these or any other symptoms, you should take your dog to the vet immediately.

To avoid these negative side effects, it would help to follow the 90/10 rule in feeding treats to your dog.

This means that ninety percent of your dog’s daily calories should come from his regular dog food or from what your dog eats regularly. And only ten percent should be allotted for treats every day.

And in addition to the 90/10 rule, you should also avoid feeding too much bananas to your dog at one time.

For large dogs, no more than half of the banana should be given to them in one go, while for small dogs, you should only limit it to a quarter at a time.

Also read: Can Dogs Eat Kiwi?

How to Serve Bananas to Your Dog?

There are several ways for your dog to enjoy this nutritious fruit. However, as discussed earlier, before you feed bananas to your pup, it’s best to consult your vet regarding the appropriate amount for your dog considering his dietary needs, weight, and overall health.

Some dogs don’t want to eat raw or fresh bananas, but they love eating frozen bananas. So, you might want to freeze portion-controlled sliced bananas and hand them to your pup as a frozen treat from time to time throughout the day.

You can also create simple homemade banana dog treats by mixing bananas with other dog safe ingredients, such as peanut butter or yogurt.

Bear in mind, though, not to mix bananas with other ingredients and human foods that are toxic to dogs, such as artificial sweeteners (xylitol), chocolates, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, cherries, and etc.