Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Peeling Back the Facts

Have you ever peeled yourself one in the morning and wondered “can dogs eat bananas”? Does your pup sit at your feet staring longingly as you munch away?

It’s time to break down the basics of this classic fruit.

Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

Yes! These fun yellow fruits are safe for your pet to eat.

Bananas are a good source of:

• Potassium
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B6
• Fiber
• Magnesium

The fiber content in bananas make them a good choice if your pet is having digestive upset. They’re gentle and easy to digest. Magnesium promotes bone growth and can help the body produce protein and absorb vitamins.

And those vitamins – and the fact that they’re low in sodium and cholesterol – make them a healthier choice than fatty or salty treats. In fact, many vets recommend bananas as a nutritious treat option.

What about the peel? While the inner flesh is ideal, skip the peel. They’re not toxic or anything, but they aren’t easy for your pup to digest, even with those iron stomachs of theirs. And, there is the potential for a blockage, so compost those peels and save them for the worms.

~Check This Out Next~ Want a few more fruits to add to the bowl? These are some good ones!

How to Feed Bananas to Your Dog

Now, let’s start with this: some dogs love bananas. break off a piece of your own and they’ll happily trot away with it or devour it on the spot. Others are unsure, so it helps to have a few other ways to get this nutrition-packed fruit into your dog’s diet.

Fresh

• If your dog will take it, share a bite of your banana with them when you’re snacking
• Cut up smaller pieces to give as treats throughout the day
• Mash up some fresh banana and mix it with your dog’s dinner
• Blend some fresh banana with goat milk and pour it over breakfast

Frozen

• Cut a banana into slices and freeze in an airtight container for crunchy treats whenever you want
• Pour that blended banana and goat milk (or kefir) into ice cube trays for from pupsicles. Add some blueberries for an antioxidant hit

You can also dehydrate them in a dehydrator. But avoid store-bought banana chips – they often have added ingredients and the sugar content is typically higher.

How much should you feed? As like most fruits, bananas contain sugar, so you don’t want to be overloaded your pup’s diet. Your dog would have to eat a large amount of these fruits fairly often for bananas to be an issue, but it’s best to make sure your dog doesn’t go overboard. Everything in moderation, right? Additionally, the high fiber content can lead to constipation if dogs have too many at once, and some dogs just have difficulty digesting bananas. As occasional treats, or a little mashed up with food a few times a week is plenty!