Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially “people foods.” What might be OK for one dog
Many fruits and vegetables can be healthy treats for your dog because they're filled with vitamins and minerals. Bananas are a common (and healthy!) fruit for us humans, and lots of dogs will happily beg for a bite of banana as well. But can dogs eat bananas safely?
Good news for your begging pup—dogs can safely eat bananas, with a few considerations. Read on to learn more about how to safely serve your dog bananas and how much your dog can eat.
Are Bananas Good for Dogs?
Bananas are safe for dogs to eat. But like a lot of fruits, moderation is key. Puppies and smaller dogs, like Chihuahuas and Yorkies, should generally get smaller amounts to prevent any stomach upset.
Bananas contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, including fiber, vitamins C and B6, potassium, magnesium, and biotin. But because the recommended portions of bananas for dogs is so small, your pup isn’t likely to get much nutritional benefit from the fruit. This means that bananas are safe for dogs to eat, but they aren’t exactly healthy for them.
Can Bananas Be Bad for Dogs?
The main drawback to bananas for dogs is the fruit’s high sugar content. Too much sugar in your dog’s diet can cause various health problems, including weight gain and diabetes. And if your dog is already overweight or has diabetes or other health issues, they should not be getting the extra sugar from bananas or other fruits.
Can Puppies Eat Bananas?
Just like adult dogs, puppies can have bananas as a snack in moderation, though even smaller portions are advised. But because puppies have a developing immune system, it’s best to only give a pup one new food or treat per day. That way, if your puppy develops an upset stomach, you know what caused it.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Peels?
When feeding your dog bananas as a treat, it’s important to make sure they don’t eat the banana peel. Although they’re not naturally toxic to dogs, banana peels often contain a large amount of pesticides.
Banana peels are also not easily digestible and can cause anintestinal blockage in dogs. Signs of intestinal blockage are:
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Weakness andlethargy
Diarrhea
Constipation
Weight loss
If you suspect that your dog may have an intestinal blockage, take them to an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
How Much Banana Can Dogs Eat?
All treats, including bananas, should only make up 10% of your dog’s diet. The other 90% should come from awell-balanced dog food diet approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).In general, this means a whole banana would be too much for your pup, especially for smaller or younger dogs.
Here are some generally safe amounts of banana based on a dog’s weight. Each “slice” should only be 1/4-inch thick:
Extra-small dog(2–20 pounds) = one to two slices of banana
Examples:Yorkies,Chihuahuas,Pomeranians,Pugs
Small dog(21–30 pounds) = up to three slices of banana
Examples:Basenjis,Beagles, Miniature American Shepherds
Medium dog(31–50 pounds) = up to six slices of banana
Examples:Basset Hounds,Border Collies,Australian Cattle Dogs
Large dog(51–90 pounds) = a handful of slices
Examples:Pit Bulls,German Shepherds,Labrador Retrievers,Australian Shepherds
Extra-large dog(91+ pounds) = up to half of a banana
Examples:Newfoundlands,Bernese Mountain Dogs,Saint Bernards,Great Pyrenees
If you think your dog ate too much banana, look out for symptoms of an upset stomach, including:
Decreased appetite or loss of appetite
Fatigue
Drinking less water
Gulping or licking their lips, the air, or objects
If you see these symptoms, call your vet. If you see worsening symptoms like vomiting, excessive diarrhea, blood in their vomit or stool, weakness, or collapse, take your dog to the vet immediately.
How To Feed Your Dog Bananas
When feeding bananas to your dog, it’s best to follow a few simple guidelines to help keep them safe:
Remove the banana peel
Cut into small pieces
Give in moderation
Some of the ways you can safely feed bananas to your dog include:
Mashed bananascan be added on top of your dog’s food.
Frozen and mashed bananascan be put into your dog’s KONG® toy. You can even add some dog-safe peanut butter for an extra yummy treat.
Cut the banana into small, 1/4-inch thick piecesand give them to your dog like small treats.
Make fruit smoothiesfrom blended frozen banana pieces, along with otherdog-safe fruits likestrawberriesandblueberries, plus some sugar-free—and xylitol-free—plain yogurt.
Bake a dog-friendly recipe with bananas, like peanut butter and banana dog cupcakes.
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Bananas?
Just like humans,dogs can have food allergies. If your dog has never had bananas before, try testing them out by only giving your dog a few little pieces and watch for signs of food intolerance in the short-term. This will show up as gastrointestinal distress in the form of vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the belly, or lethargy.
Skin and ear conditions, including chronic itchiness, skin lesions, or ear infections, occur more chronically and take a while to develop.
Can Dogs Eat Bananas? FAQs
Are bananas good for dogs with diarrhea?
Do not give your dog bananas to help with gastrointestinal (GI) issues like diarrhea. Bananas have high fiber content, which can help with certain GI problems, but this is somewhat offset by the high sugar content.
Instead, talk to your vet if you’re concerned about your dog’s health. They can give you guidance on what to do.
Can dogs eat banana chips or dried bananas?
Dried banana chips are not recommended for dogs. If not chewed, they can absorb water, swell, and cause an obstruction. In addition, banana chips purchased from the store often contain unwanted preservatives and high levels of sugar or salt.
Can dogs eat banana bread?
Banana bread often contains ingredients like raisins, xylitol, or nutmeg—which are all toxic to dogs. It also contains high amounts of sugar and shouldn’t be fed to your pup.
Can dogs eat banana pudding?
Banana pudding should be avoided. Pudding has a high sugar content, preservatives, and possibly other ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
Can dogs eat frozen bananas?
Giving your dog anentirefrozen banana would be dangerous, both because the serving is too large—which may upset their stomach—and because it could be swallowed, leading to a choking hazard or an intestinal blockage. However, mashing up a little bit of the banana and then freezing it is OK for your dog.
WRITTEN BY
Victoria Lynn Arnold
Freelance Writer
