Can Dogs Eat This? Nutrition & Recipes Recipes
Can Dogs Eat Bananas? A Delicious Dilemma Unpeeled!
Rocky Kanaka
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Bananas are a staple in most American households, whether to enjoy as a snack or as an ingredient in delicious recipes like banana bread. But, can everyone in your household eat bananas? Can dogs eat bananas?
To quickly answer your query, yes, dogs can eat bananas in moderation. Bananas are high in sugar, which makes them taste delicious, but also means they should be a sometimes food for your dog, not a part of their everyday diet. But if your pup loves a bite of banana now and then as a treat, you’re in the clear!
Here, we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of how to feed your dog bananas safely including nutritional information, banana dog treat recipes, and answers to your biggest questions. When it comes to fruits and vegetables that are safe for your dog, bananas are high on our list of the best—here’s everything you need to know.
Are Bananas Safe For Dogs To Eat?
Yes, bananas are safe for dogs to eat as an occasional treat. Bananas are non-toxic to dogs but they are high in natural sugars. Ripe bananas are particularly high in sugar, which can lead to health complications for your dog if they are fed too much of this fruit. Because of their high sugar content, dogs with diabetes or high blood sugar should not be fed bananas.
But wait, can dogs eat only ripe bananas, or are unripe or green bananas okay?
Both unripe and ripe bananas are safe for dogs, but most dogs prefer ripe bananas which are also higher in several vital nutrients. Regardless, both green and ripe bananas are acceptable treats for your dog as long as they are peeled and cut into pieces.
Some dogs can also be allergic to bananas, though this is relatively uncommon. Dogs that have a banana allergy will begin to show signs of an allergic reaction after only a small piece of banana, so it’s relatively easy to tell if your pup has an allergy.
Some signs of allergic reaction in dogs to keep an eye out for when you introduce new foods include:
- Stomach upset (e.g. vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite)
- Itchy skin
- Coughing or wheezing
- Lethargy
How Much Banana Can a Dog Eat?
While bananas are a delicious and healthy treat most dogs love, we recommend making them an occasional treat. Eating too much banana can give your furry friend an upset stomach, and in excess could cause vomiting and diarrhea. Because of this, bananas should only be an occasional treat for your dog, and you should always portion the banana into small pieces before serving.
Large dog breeds can have up to half a banana in one sitting, but we don’t recommend giving this to them every day. Smaller breeds should have 1-3 slices of banana per serving, and should never be given large chunks as these could be a choking hazard.
Health Benefits of Bananas for Dogs
Because bananas shouldn’t be part of your dog’s everyday diet, they also likely won’t enjoy many benefits from the nutrients found in this fruit. But that doesn’t mean that the nutritional value of a banana isn’t important!
While your dog won’t be getting a significant portion of their calories from bananas, it’s still nice to know that they make a healthy treat. Low in calories, sodium, and cholesterol, bananas are high in key nutrients like dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.
| Nutritional Value of Ripe Bananas | |
| Nutrient | Benefits for dogs… |
| Dietary Fiber | Supports healthy digestion and has antioxidant properties. |
| Magnesium | Supports cellular energy production and nutrient metabolism. |
| Manganese | Supports bone and joint health and metabolic function. |
| Potassium | An electrolyte, helps support hydration and cardiac function. |
| Vitamin B6 | Supports nervous system function, metabolic health, bone and joint health, and red blood cell production. |
| Vitamin C | Supports immunity, joint health, and skin and coat health. |
How To Prepare Bananas For Dogs: Banana Dog Treat Recipes
The easiest way to prepare a banana for your dog is to slice it into small pieces. Large breeds can be given half-bananas without slicing them up, but if you have a dog who eats quickly we recommend smaller pieces to avoid creating a choking hazard.
While a piece of raw ripe banana is a great treat, there are also lots of other ways to prepare bananas for your dog! For example, you could combine banana slices with one of your dog’s other favorite treats to create little banana stacks. For example, if you’re wondering “can dogs eat bananas and peanut butter?” the answer is yes! And those would be a perfect quick and healthy dog treat.
If you want to invest a little more time into making dog treats, there are also tons of amazing dog-friendly recipes that include bananas! For example, you can make dog-friendly banana bread designed to be delicious, nutritious, and easy for you to make at home.
Dried Banana Dog Treat Recipe
If your dog prefers crunchy treats over soft treats but you still want to add some bananas to their treat rotation, try this recipe for crispy dried banana dog treats created by The Crazy Dog Mom blog. Quick, easy, and a good way to preserve bananas to prevent spoilage, we love this ultra-healthy crunchy dog treat.
Ingredients
- 1 (or more) ripe banana
- Lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 210℉ and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Peel your banana(s) and slice into coins about ¼-½ inch thick.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and brush the tops with a little lemon juice. The lemon juice is optional but will prevent browning as the bananas dry.
- Transfer the tray with the banana slices to the oven and bake for about 1.5 hours, or until the chips are dried to your satisfaction. The slices will still feel a little rubbery but will become crispy as they cool.
- Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Peanut Butter & Banana Bread Muffin Dog Treat Recipe
Have you ever felt the urge to sneak your dog a bite of banana bread? Well, now you can! This recipe is free from added sugar, nuts, or spices that make human food banana bread bad for dogs, so you can feed this to your pup guilt-free. The original recipe calls these pupcakes, but we think they’re close to muffins since they aren’t frosted.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 TBSP baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter (xylitol free)
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 banana
- 3 TBSP olive oil
- ¼ cup honey
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400℉ and prepare a muffin tin by lining it with paper cups or lightly oiling it.
- Combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Mix, and set aside.
- In a food processor, combine peanut butter, egg, milk, banana, olive oil, and honey. Process on high until smooth and free from lumps.
- Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Be careful not to over-mix—the final batter should be loose but not super runny.
- Fill the muffin tin with the batter, filling each cup about ¾ full.
- Transfer the muffin to the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes* or until a toothpick poked into the muffins comes out clean.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container. At room temperature these will keep for 3-4 days, and refrigerated they will keep for a little over a week.
*Bake for 12-14 minutes if you are using a mini muffin tin.
Banana, Peanut Butter & Oat Dog Biscuits
Bananas can be used in crunchy treats like biscuits, not just soft cakes and breads! If your dog likes a cookie as a treat, they’ll certainly fall in love with these delicious banana, peanut butter, and oat biscuits. Created by Cheryl from Pook’s Pantry, this recipe is super quick and easy and can be made in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 banana
- ⅓ cup peanut butter (xylitol free)
- 1 egg
- 2 TBSP all-purpose flour, if necessary
- 1 – 2 TBSP water, if necessary
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉ and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, process oats for 2–3 minutes or until the oats have become flour with just a few larger pieces left.
- Add peanut butter, banana, and egg to the food processor with the oats and process until you create a uniform dough. If the dough is too dry and not holding together, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until it comes together. If your dough is too wet, add 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour at a time until the dough is not too sticky to work with.
- Lightly flour your countertop and a rolling pin and turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Roll the dough into a sheet approximately ⅛-inch thick.
- Using a cookie cutter approximately 2 inches wide, cut out biscuits and transfer them to your lined baking sheet.
- Bake the treats for 16–18 minutes, then allow to cool completely.
- Store these biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Can Dogs Have Bananas? FAQ
Can’t find the answer to your question about dogs eating bananas? Check out our answers to the most common queries from other dog lovers on the internet who are wondering about feeding bananas to their pups.
Can dogs eat green bananas?
Yes, but they aren’t as healthy or tasty as ripe bananas. Green bananas are lower in sugar, so if your dog has high blood sugar your veterinarian may suggest giving them green bananas as a treat instead of ripe bananas. Of course, always consult with your veterinarian before making a dietary decision for your medically complicated dog.
Can dogs eat plantains?
Yes, dogs can eat small amounts of cooked plantains. Dogs should not be fed raw plantains which can be a choking hazard. Do not feed your dog cooked plantains that are cooked with a lot of extra oil or seasonings.
Can dogs eat dried bananas?
Yes, as long as the dried banana contains no added sugars! Dehydrated bananas are a tasty, crunchy treat for your dog and you can purchase them as pre-made treats from many pet stores.
Can dogs eat frozen bananas?
Yes! Frozen bananas make a great treat for a hot day, but you should always monitor your dog while they eat this treat.
Can dogs eat banana chips?
Yes, as long as they don’t contain added sugar.
Can dogs eat banana peels?
We know that dogs can eat banana flesh, but can dogs eat banana skin? The answer is: No.
Banana peels are made from thick, fibrous strands that are hard for dogs to digest and could be a choking hazard. In some rare cases, banana peels can also cause intestinal blockages. Do not allow your dog to eat banana peels, and always remove them from bananas before sharing them as a treat.
Can dogs eat banana bread?
No. Human foods like banana bread are high in added sugar, spices/seasonings, oils, and other ingredients that aren’t good for dogs. However, dogs can eat banana bread specifically made with dog-safe ingredients, like the recipe we’ve shared above!
Can dogs eat banana nut muffins?
Can dogs eat banana nut bread or muffins? No—the added sugars and the nuts can be bad for your dog. In general, you should never share human food with your dog.
Can dogs eat banana pudding?
No. Banana pudding is high in sugar and made with milk, both of which can cause serious gastrointestinal issues for your dog and offer no nutritional benefits.
Can dogs eat banana pancakes?
No—you should avoid feeding your dog human foods like banana bread, banana pancakes, banana muffins, etc.
Can dogs eat banana peppers?
No! Banana peppers are spicy and contain capsaicin, which can give your dog a very upset tummy.
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