Can Puppies Eat Bananas? – Goldendoodle Advice

Let's talk about dogs eating bananas... Feeding your dog a balanced diet is an important step to a long and healthy life. Like most humans, variety in your dog’s diet can bring more pleasure and open your dog’s diet up to more appealing choices. One of our favorite snack foods is hands down, bananas. Bananas are not only a favorite choice for humans, but our fur babies find them tasty as well. These soft, yellow fruits are a fan favorite whether it is eaten fresh, frozen, in ice cream, bread, or oatmeal, most of us eat bananas in some form daily. But can we feed this delicious fruit (bananas) to our dogs? Are there any health benefits to feeding them to your dog or can bananas seriously harm our fury friends? In this article, we will answer these questions to see if bananas are a good and safe choice for your dog. Can Dogs Eat Bananas? So, Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Yes, your dog can certainly eat bananas. But, before you allow your fur baby to munch on these sweet, yellow fruits, there are a few things you should know. Bananas have many health benefits for your dog, eating them is a win-win for you, and your dog. However, as with all foods good for your dog, moderation is key as bananas do contain sugar. But let’s not forget the good things a delicious banana can offer your dog. Bananas are filled with potassium, vitamin B and C, fiber, copper and manganese. These nutrients make them a great addition to your dog’s diet! Bananas have low levels of sodium and cholesterol, but the sugar content in this delicious fruit mandates the necessity to limit their intake. Feeding your dog bananas will improve their skin and coat as the antioxidants in the bananas are great for both. If you have a pooch that is low on energy the soluble carbs can boost your pup’s energy levels – but of course, some dogs do not require an energy booster! If you continue to feed your dog a well-balanced diet, feeding them bananas will not be a problem. Many dogs are not accustomed to eating bananas, therefore, introducing them to this new treat should be a slower process. Unless your fur baby is like mine, she goes bananas, for bananas! As soon as I start to peel the banana, she is in the kitchen, wagging her tail, waiting for her special treat! Depending upon the part of the country you may reside, frozen bananas are a great summer treat for your dog on a hot day. BONUS TIP: Another great idea is to stuff a piece of banana in your dogs Kong [Find on Amazon] or other treat-holding toys for them to enjoy. You can’t blame your dog for begging for the bananas, they are so ap-peeling (sorry, terrible pun)! How Much Banana Can A Dog Eat (Daily Quantity)? How much banana can a dog eat (daily quantity)? The number of bananas your dog can eat will depend upon their age and size. For example, a small dog should not eat more than a few small pieces a couple times per week. It is common knowledge small dogs are notorious for eating too quickly or consuming too much, resulting in their throwing up their food. Bananas are not an exception to this practice, therefore, keep the amount to a few smaller bite-size pieces to prevent this from happening to your dog. How Much Banana Should A Puppy Eat? The same rule should apply to puppies as well, their small systems cannot handle more than a few small pieces, a couple days per week. Adult, Large and medium breeds can eat half a banana a few times per week. It should be noted that these amounts are estimations, only your vet can give you the proper advice on what is the best amount to feed to your dog. When you feed your dog bananas you can adjust the amount you give him/her depending upon how your dog responds to them. The risk of potassium overdose is just one reason to practice moderation when feeding bananas to your dog. While most dogs can consume a quarter to a half of a banana (large breeds) a couple times per week, going beyond that can result in health issues. If you are unsure or have not introduced bananas to your dog, consulting with your dog’s vet will better ensure you are providing the proper amounts for your dog’s optimal health. Good/Bad Associated With Eating Bananas Eating bananas is beneficial for your dog as the potassium provides strength for their bones and blood vessel function, manganese assists with blood pressure levels and works as a calming effect for dogs who tend to become hyper. The vitamin B6 aides in fighting anemia with vitamin C maintaining a strong immune system. The fiber in bananas is a great benefit to keeping your dog’s bowel movements regular. It is important to note that too much of a good thing is bad. If your dog is eating too many bananas, he/she may experience constipation, stomach issues (the excess potassium found in bananas is not tolerated well in large amounts) and weight gain. A banana has a little over 100 calories and approximately 14 grams of sugar (though natural), which can be a problem for puppies and smaller or less active breeds. If you feel your dog may have consumed too many bananas and they are experiencing issues, it is recommended that you monitor him/her closely. Bananas can be difficult to digest if given in large chunks creating a blockage in your dog’s stomach; therefore, it is important to remember to break the banana into smaller pieces. If your dog experiences any symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting, contact your vet for proper medical care. With any food, there is a risk your dog could be allergic to bananas. It is important to be aware of any allergic reactions including swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, sneezing and coughing, you should stop feeding your dog bananas and contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Although bananas are a healthy addition to your dogs’ diet as a great snack, it should never replace a healthy, balanced diet. Related Questions? Can Puppies Eat Bananas? Can puppies eat bananas? Yes, puppies can eat bananas but as mentioned above, care should be taken to give in moderation and small pieces to avoid complications with their stomach. Whether you drizzle peanut butter or serve it straight from the peel, bananas are generally safe for your little fur baby. Like many good things we feed our puppies, bananas are best enjoyed in moderation. Can Dogs Eat Banana Peels? Can dogs eat banana peels? No, it is not a good idea to feed your dog banana peels. Although eating the banana peels are not considered toxic, as is the case with some other foods, the peels are extremely hard to digest. The composition of the peel, dense and fibrous in texture, can lead to choking, blockages within the GI system, or vomiting and diarrhea resulting from an upset stomach. It is important to note that you should always peel the banana before feeding it to your dog to ensure that you are providing a safe and healthy snack. Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips? Can dogs eat banana chips? Eating banana chips is a matter of preference for dogs, but yes, dogs can eat banana chips. The taste of banana chips may be the main factor determining if your dog will eat them. Some dogs will not enjoy the dried fruit version as well as the fresh banana, although the crinkling of the bag will get them running to the kitchen to see what treats await them! Of course, as with bananas, banana chips should be given in moderation to avoid any nasty complications. Unlike eating too many bananas, which could result in constipation, eating too many banana chips surprisingly has the exact opposite effect, resulting in diarrhea for your dog. This is a nasty side effect that neither of you want to experience. The banana chips that you can purchase in the store are coated with sugar which is not advisable for your pet. If your fur baby loves banana chips, try to keep them organic or buy ones that contain less sugar to avoid feeding your dog too much sugar. If you have a freeze-drying or food dehydrator machine, you can freeze or dry banana slices for your dog for an extra crunch treat enabling you to control the amount of sugar your dog will consume. Closing Thoughts Hopefully, these answers have clarified your interest regarding your dog - banana related questions. In general, bananas are an excellent source of vitamins, potassium, fiber, and energy-boosting carbs, that are low in salt and fat, aiding in the fight against cancer, boosting your dog’s resistance to colds, and reducing painful inflammation. Feeding your dog bananas is a great snack, when fed in moderation, will prove beneficial for your pet’s health. It is highly recommended to contact your veterinarian when deciding the best diet for your dog. Like humans, one dog can better tolerate certain foods than other dogs. While one dog may be able to stomach a banana with no problems, another dog may experience stomach issues after a few bites. If you notice any changes in your pet such as allergy symptoms, weight changes, or bouts of constipation or diarrhea, you should immediately stop feeding bananas to your pet and take them to the vet for a medical examination. If you want to be creative in your attempt to provide more choices for your pet (and If you want to really score points with your pooch) you can make some tasty treats your dog will enjoy https://goldendoodleadvice.com/5-easy-diy-dog-treats-your-pup-is-sure-to-love/. At the end of the day, giving your dog a banana is not an unhealthy practice, giving your dog a few pieces per week, is a great way to reward them for good behavior, or for just being the best friend we can have!