6 benefits of bananas for your dog
Benefits of bananas for dogs include:
- Bananas are loaded with magnesium, which helps with muscle growth
- Magnesium is important for cellular energy
- Magnesium helps relax your dog and plays an important role in heart function.
- Bananas are rich in potassium. When combined with B6, potassium can help regulate blood pressure. Potassium also balances out calcium to ensure healthy bone growth
- Bananas potentially lead to improved brain function, thanks to the large number of E vitamins they contain
- Bananas help regulate dogs’ immune function. Some of the soluble fibres in bananas can play an important role in growing beneficial bacteria in dogs’ guts
3 ways to feed bananas to your dog
Let’s look at the different ways to serve bananas to your dog. These can be perfect for fussy dogs of all ages, peckish dogs, and even dogs in warm weather.
- Mash up the banana and mix it in with your dog’s food
This delicious addition to any meal is bound to add some extra taste and beneficial nutrients to your dogs’ typical diet - Cut up & freeze-dry the banana
This is a great way to keep all the nutrients intact, giving maximum nutritional benefits for your dog. Simply slice up a banana and freeze the individual slices, creating a tasty, refreshing snack for your dog to enjoy - Dehydrate the banana
Dried bananas are great for your dog. Simply dry the banana on very low heat, by putting it in a dehydrator. It’s important not to bake bananas, as this kills the vitamin C content and damages other nutrients that are susceptible to heat
Support your dog’s health with the best dog food!
Get 40% off your first box, 30% off your second and 20% off your third!
Get Your Personalised PlanModeration is key
We’ve covered the benefits of bananas and different ways to feed bananas to your dog. Now let’s discuss how many bananas can dogs eat?
Bananas should be used as a tasty addition to a dog’s species-specific diet, rather than being used as an alternative to their usual food. Bananas are high in sugar, so should be fed in moderation. A medium-sized banana contains around 14 grams of sugar. If your dog has diabetes, epilepsy, or needs to lose weight, they should stay away from bananas, as this can be detrimental to their health.
As with all foods, bananas should be introduced gradually and in small portions to dogs, making sure they adapt well to eating them. If dogs show any signs of vomiting or an upset stomach, you should stop feeding any foods that you believe may be causing it.
FAQs
Can dogs eat banana skin?
A common question is “can dogs eat banana peels?” Dogs should be fed the inside of bananas, as these are rich in nutrients and incredibly tasty. Banana skins are less suitable for dogs, as they have high concentrations of fibre, making them difficult to digest.
Feeding banana peels to dogs can cause health issues, such as vomiting, or even intestinal blockage in some cases. Simply put, it is best to completely avoid feeding dogs banana skin.
Can dogs eat banana chips?
The answer to this depends on the ingredients and processing of the banana chips.
If these are chips of dehydrated banana, with no additives, then they are safe for dogs to consume. However, many banana chips will have additives and preservatives that are unsuitable for dogs to eat.
Can dogs eat dried bananas?
Try to avoid feeding your dog candied, dried bananas
Yes, dogs can eat dried bananas, providing they have all natural ingredients and no additions that make them less suitable for dogs.
These chewy treats can be a tasty snack and can be made at home in a dehydrator. It’s important not to bake bananas, as this can ruin many of the nutritional benefits that they have.
Can dogs eat frozen banana?
Yes, dogs can eat frozen bananas. In fact, these refreshing treats are many dogs’ favourites, locking in nutrition while having an interesting texture to enjoy.
Can dogs with diarrhoea eat bananas?
Dogs with diarrhoea can benefit from a diet that is slightly higher in fibre, however it is important to identify and deal with the cause of diarrhoea.
Feeding a raw, species-appropriate diet can be a great way to provide easily digestible, bioavailable nutrition for dogs.
Can dogs eat bananas safely?
Yes, dogs can eat bananas safely. The method of preparation and serving banana plays a key role in making sure bananas are safe for dogs to eat.
Read this guide to learn more about the types of banana that dogs can eat, as well as top preparation techniques.
Can dogs eat brown bananas?
Yes, dogs can eat ripe bananas, however this can result in them containing more sugars and carbohydrates, particularly if they are overripe.
Making sure bananas are a healthy addition to a dog’s diet means it should be fed in moderation and infrequently.
Can small dogs eat bananas?
Dogs of all sizes can enjoy bananas, as long as they do not have any health concerns such as diabetes that mean they are not suitable for them.
