Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Decoding Your Canine's Diet

Whether you’re looking to add more fresh foods to your dog’s diet or whether your pup likes to get into your trash or beg for a bite of what you’re eating, you may be wondering: Can dogs eat bananas?

The short answer is: Yes, dogs can eat bananas in small amounts. Keep reading for more information on how much banana you can safely give your dog, what other banana-related foods your dog can eat, and what other fresh foods you can add to your dog’s bowl to improve their quality of life.

Can Dogs Have Bananas?

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. This fruit contains many beneficial nutrients for dogs, although the high fiber content can cause tummy troubles in large amounts, so you should only give your pup a couple of bites of banana in one sitting.

Benefits of Bananas for Dogs

Bananas are great sources of:

• •Potassium, an essential mineral that regulates electrical activity in the nerves, muscles, and heart

• •Magnesium, which helps the absorption of vitamins and promotes bone growth

• •Vitamin C, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and helps slow cognitive decline

• •Biotin, an essential B vitamin that promotes healthy fur, skin, and nails and helps your dog’s body convert food to energy

• •Fiber, which can help regulate bowel movements in moderate amounts but can cause digestive problems when eaten in excess

The Dangers of Overfeeding Bananas to Dogs

In addition to all their nutritional benefits, bananas also contain a lot of sugar, which can cause obesity and other health problems in dogs. The high fiber content of bananas (especially if your dog sneaks into the trash and eats a peel) can also cause intestinal distress in large amounts.

How Much Banana Can a Dog Eat?

Small dogs can safely enjoy one or two slices of banana, while larger dogs could eat about half a banana (preferably cut up into bite-sized pieces). 

Can Dogs Eat Banana Peels?

Dogs should not eat banana peels. Since banana peels are so fibrous, they have the potential to cause intestinal blockages. If your dog eats a banana peel out of the trash, you don’t need to panic and immediately take them to the vet.

However, you should keep a close eye on your dog and their bowel movements for a few days. If your dog becomes constipated, starts vomiting, becomes lethargic, or shows any other concerning symptoms within a few days of eating a banana peel, you should contact your veterinarian.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips?

Dogs can eat banana chips as long as they are simply dehydrated banana slices with no other ingredients added. Avoid giving your dog flavored or spiced banana chips, and remember to feed them in moderation. 

Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread?

Banana bread contains sugar, grains, and other species-inappropriate ingredients, so dogs should not eat it. If your pup sneaks a bite, they’ll probably be OK, but you should avoid intentionally feeding this sweet treat to your pup.

Beyond Bananas: Try Adding Fresh Raw Food to Your Dog’s Bowl

While you’re exploring the world of fresh foods you can give to your dog, have you thought about adding raw meat to their diet? We Feed Raw’s patties are nutritionally complete and balanced, so you can feed our food as is or add it to kibble without worrying about causing any nutritional imbalances in your dog’s diet.

Start your dog’s meal plan now or learn more about We Feed Raw and why a raw diet is best for your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat Bananas?

Yes, it is safe for dogs to eat bananas in small amounts. A couple of bites of banana offers many excellent nutrients including potassium, magnesium, fiber, and more. However, too much banana could cause digestive problems in the short term or obesity in the long term due to its high sugar content.

How Much Banana Can a Dog Eat?

Small dogs can enjoy one or two slices of banana, while larger dogs can enjoy as much as half a banana in one sitting.

What Fruits Can Dogs Eat Besides Bananas?

Most fruits are safe for dogs apart from grapes and raisins, which are toxic for dogs. However, fruits are high in sugar, which can lead to obesity and other health problems in dogs, so they should be limited to an occasional treat rather than a regular part of your dog’s diet.

How to Feed Bananas to My Dog?

You can feed your dog bananas as slices that are fresh, frozen, or dehydrated, or you could mash some banana on a lick mat for your dog to enjoy that way.

Are Banana Peels Safe for Dogs to Eat?

While banana peels are not toxic, their extremely fibrous nature means they have the potential to cause an intestinal blockage, so it’s best not to let dogs eat banana peels.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips or Banana Bread?

Dogs can eat banana chips as long as they are simply dehydrated banana slices with no other ingredients. Dogs should not eat banana bread at all and should avoid banana chips that have been seasoned.

What Are the Potential Consequences of Overfeeding Bananas to Dogs?

The short-term potential consequences of overfeeding bananas to dogs include digestive problems due to the high sugar and fiber content. The long-term possible consequences of overfeeding bananas to dogs include obesity and all the health problems that come along with it, including diabetes, arthritis, heart problems, liver disease, cancer, and more.