Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

Dogs are carnivorous animals naturally, so it might seem a little funny to wonder whether dogs can eat bananas or not. Believe it or not, dogs can eat bananas just like many other fruits like apples and seedless watermelons. Bananas have many vitamins and minerals that are healthy for your dog including Vitamin C, potassium, copper, biotin and even fiber. If you’re considering adding bananas to your dog’s diet, it can be a healthy snack, but the first thing to determine is whether your dog even likes bananas.

How Much Banana Can Dogs Eat?

If you do offer your dog a banana and find that they do like it, it’s okay to let them eat the whole thing but watch them carefully over the next day or two to ensure they can tolerate it okay. Once you’ve fed bananas to your dog and seen no ill effects, make sure to feed bananas only in moderation. Bananas are high in sugar and because of the issues that a diet high in sugar can cause, such as diabetes, bananas should be fed occasionally as a treat for your dog and not as part of their daily diet.

Many vets are in fact recommending bananas as one thing to try if your dog is experiencing bowel problems or other digestive issues. So, in some cases bananas could even help to treat problems your dog is having. Always check with your vet before changing your dog’s diet because not only does every breed have different tolerance levels but every dog is also unique. Since your vet knows all the other health issues that your dog may be having, they are the best person to give you the go ahead on feeding bananas to your dogs to help with bowel issues or other digestive problems.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Peels?

So, if bananas are relatively healthy for your dog to eat, what about those pesky banana peels? We all know banana peels are slippery when they end up on the floor so it would be great if your dog could gobble them up so you don’t have to worry so much. But if you’re wondering whether it’s wise to let dogs eat banana peels, it’s probably not the best solution to get rid of those pesky banana peels.

Although like for humans, banana peels are not poisonous to your dog, they do contain excess fiber which your dog may have trouble digesting. If your dog does eat a banana peel and then suddenly throws up several hours later, do not be alarmed. Vomiting is simply a dog’s way of getting things out of its system that it cannot digest. So, although it’s best to keep your dog away from banana peels, if he does happen to gobble one down, just watch your dog carefully after vomiting, but there should be no ill effects from the banana peel itself.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips?

If your dog doesn’t like the texture of bananas or if feeding them a soft banana just makes too much of a mess on the floor as they eat it, you may wonder if dogs can eat banana chips. Banana chips are healthy for your dog and they are also easy on your dog’s digestive system. Plus, banana chips are quite a bit crunchier which is something your dog will not only enjoy but will benefit from because it’ll help clean his teeth and exercise his jaw. You can make your own banana chips without all the preservatives of store bought ones if you invest in a fruit dehydrator.

Just like bananas, dried banana chips can be a superb way to provide your dog with potassium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6. In fact, if your dog is eating grass or showing other signs of an upset stomach, giving your dog a few banana chips can help soothe their stomach in many cases.

How Much Banana Chips Can Dogs Eat?

Treat banana chips for your dog as a treat to be fed in moderation rather than giving your dog unlimited access to banana chips. In general, active dogs have less issues with banana chips than sedentary dogs. If you are training your dog and you find they enjoy banana chips as a treat, consider using them to reward your dog for a good training session or for walking well on the leash. When used occasionally as a treat, banana chips can be soothing to the stomach and healthy but when your dog eats too many banana chips, they can cause loose stools which can be dangerous if left untreated.