Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

Bananas are a wonderfully healthy snack for us humans. They’re great to grab quickly on the go, add into a smoothie or serve as a fantastic dessert topping – and to top it off, they contain a great variety of healthy nutrients and they’re a good source of fibre. Knowing the nutritional value bananas bring to our diets, many pet parents have paused to ask the question “can dogs eat bananas?”

We’ve created this guide to tell you everything you need to know about bananas for dogs so you can help your four-legged friend to snack responsibly.

Can dogs eat bananas?

Yes, dogs can eat bananas! Unlike other fruits, no part of the banana is toxic. However, dogs can find the peel hard to digest, so it’s best to avoid feeding this. Also, if your dog’s currently on a special diet or has certain health issues such as gastroenteritis or diabetes, bananas might not be the best idea. In these situations, it’s worth checking in with your vet prior to feeding to get custom advice about what’s best for your dog.

Are bananas good for dogs?

Just because bananas are fine for your dog to eat, this doesn’t mean that they’re the best food for dogs. Although bananas contain nutrients such as potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, we only recommend giving banana in small servings, so these nutrients won’t make much difference overall. Additionally, your dog will get everything they need to thrive from their complete and balanced diet, so there’s no need to add banana as a supplement.

Another thing to bear in mind is that bananas contain natural sugars and too much of these can cause weight gain which could lead to health issues such as obesity. Always follow the rule of 10% when offering treats to your dog and ensure that treats don’t make up more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.

How should I feed my dog bananas?

When giving your dog bananas, you should always peel them first. As mentioned previously, the peel isn’t actually toxic but it contains a very high amount of fibre which could cause diarrhoea. It’s also very hard for your dog to digest and it could even cause a blockage in their digestive system.

The best way to feed your dog bananas is to cut the peeled fruit up into appropriate bite-sized chunks, and offer a small piece to try. You can also try mashing it up and stuffing it in a Kong dog toy as it makes a fun and tasty filling. Alternatively, if your dog’s not a fan of the texture of bananas, you can freeze the fruit in small cubes. This makes a wonderfully refreshing treat on warm summer days!

Before introducing any new foods to your dog it’s always best to check with your vet as they will be able to recommend serving sizes and also give advice on whether or not it’s a good idea to feed the food in question to begin with.

Now you know that dogs can have bananas! Want to find out more dog feeding tips and guides? Check out our article on can dogs have strawberries, next!