Can dogs eat bananas?

Written by Napo HQ
Reviewed by Dr Tamir Spiegel
17th May 2024
4 mins read
Summary
Bananas are a safe and tasty treat for your pup. The fibre and potassium content are good for your dog, but they shouldn’t eat too much. Start with small pieces and see if your furry friend enjoys it.
Bananas are a safe and tasty treat for your pup. The fibre and potassium content are good for your dog, but they shouldn’t eat too much. Start with small pieces and see if your furry friend enjoys it.
If you’re into baking, you’ve probably already seen human and dog cake recipes that have bananas in. But you'll probably still want to double-check dogs can eat bananas. Short answer is yes! But read on to find out the ins and outs about giving them to your pup.
Remember that you can safely share some human foods with your furry friend, but others, like chocolate or grapes, can be toxic to dogs. Always check with a vet before feeding your dog anything new.

Can dogs eat bananas?

The good news is yes, dogs can eat bananas. Bananas are safe for dogs to eat in small amounts, and have vitamins, nutrients, and fibre that are good for them.
Bananas have a lot of natural sugars and carbs, and your dog doesn’t need much of these. So, it’s important not to give too many bananas. Feed them small, bite-sized pieces of banana as an occasional treat. Don't let them eat too much, as it can cause unhealthy weight gain.

Can puppies eat bananas?

Yes, puppies can eat bananas too. Bananas are safe for puppies over three months old to eat in small quantities, and can be relatively healthy too. You can give your pup a few small pieces of banana that you’ve cut up. But avoid giving them more than a few slices to avoid causing an stomach upset.
The main difference is that a puppy can safely eat a lot less banana than an adult dog. And the pieces will need to be smaller to reduce the risk of choking.

Can dogs eat banana skin?

No, dogs can not eat banana peel or skin. The skin is hard to digest, and could cause an obstruction in their gut. Banana peels can also have pesticide residues which may be harmful for your pup. So to be safe, don’t let your dog eat banana skin.

Can dogs eat frozen bananas? 

Dogs can eat frozen bananas. They can eat it frozen or after you defrost it. Like regular bananas, frozen ones should only be a treat. Watch your dog while they eat frozen bananas to make sure they don’t choke, especially if it’s still frozen.
Some dogs might not like super cold treats, so if your dog doesn't seem to like frozen banana, just let it thaw a bit to make it less chilly. Or stick to regular banana!

Can dogs eat banana bread?

No, dogs can not eat banana bread. These desserts are high in sugar and fat. If your dog has too much sugar, it could lead to obesity and dental issues. Meanwhile too much fat can cause a condition called pancreatitis. 
If you want to give your dog a fruity treat, stick to plain bananas. Don’t give them any banana bread, banana cake, or other desserts like banoffee pie.

Are bananas good for dogs?

Bananas can be good for dogs as they are natural and nutritious. They have fibre, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin B6 and vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and manganese.
But, your dog will already get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy from a complete dog food. So if your dog doesn’t seem to like bananas, don’t worry.
Even healthy treats like bananas should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. And remember to adjust their meal portions accordingly. So because your dog probably won’t eat enough to get the nutritional benefits. But as far as treats go, bananas are not "bad" for dogs!

Can bananas give dogs diarrhoea?

Yes, in some cases bananas can give dogs diarrhoea. This is usually because they’ve eaten too much. Because bananas are high in fibre, and too much fibre can cause the runs. So always keep bananas as a treat to avoid tummy troubles.

How to feed bananas to your dog

If you’re giving your dog some banana to try for the first time, start with a small piece and watch for any signs of allergies or stomach problems. If your dog has diarrhoea, vomiting, or other reactions, don’t give them any more bananas and talk to your vet.
You can serve bananas to your pup by just peeling and cutting them into small pieces to avoid choking. Keep it plain and make sure it’s ripe and soft.
You can also use banana in a recipe for homemade treats. But again, be careful not to overfeed your pup to avoid problems like weight gain.
You can check with your vet if you have any concerns about giving bananas as a treat to your dog.

How much banana can a dog eat

There’s no set amount for how much banana a dog can eat. It depends on their age, size, overall health, and dietary needs. But it's important to remember it should only be a treat, so they should only get a few pieces on occasion.
Puppies usually have sensitive stomachs. They should eat smaller amounts of banana. This helps lower the risk of diarrhoea or stomach aches.
Small dogs should also have smaller amounts of banana, or any other treat, because they have smaller calorie needs. If you have a toy or small breed dog, start with a very small piece of banana. For medium to large breed dogs, you can give them more, up to half a banana.
If your dog's trying banana for the first time, introduce it slowly and in small amounts. Keep an eye on them to see if they like it, and it doesn't upset their stomach.
Some dogs can have allergies, food intolerances or diet plans that don’t allow certain foods. It's always best to check with your vet before introducing any new food.

Recap: can dogs eat banana

Yep, dogs can have banana whether it’s fresh or frozen. Just make sure you cut it up and make sure they’re not allergic. Don’t overfeed them, and don’t give them desserts containing banana like banana bread or banoffee pie. As always, check with your vet that a new food is safe for your dog.

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