Can dogs eat bananas?

Dogs rely on us to regulate their foods and so it’s important that we find out what’s good for them. And it’s not simply a question of whether or not bananas are good for them, we need to also ask ourselves the question ‘how much banana can a dog eat?’. Just because something is fine for your dog to eat, it doesn’t mean they should overindulge.

Can dogs eat bananas?

If you look at the ingredients of many yummy dog ice creams or DIY dog treat recipes, you’ll see that they contain banana. So, the answer is ‘yes’, dogs can eat bananas. Unlike some other fruits such as grapes, raisins, avocados and other pips and seeds, bananas aren’t toxic for dogs to ingest.

Bananas can actually provide a more natural, healthy treat to shop bought ones that are full of salt and artificial ingredients. They also provide vitamins and nutrients like  vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6 and fiber. In fact, they could help calm some dogs to overcome a tummy upset.

How much banana can a dog eat?

Everything in moderation is a key phrase here. Don’t overfeed your furry friend with bananas as they do have a high sugar content, despite all their nutritional goodness. Like us, dogs need a varied diet and this goes for bananas too - even if they put on their best ‘poor me’ face when you’re tucking into your mid-morning fruity snack. Too much sugar, as we know, can lead to health problems, weight gain and dental issues.

Generally, the bigger the dog, the more banana they could have regularly. Remember that treats should only make up a small portion of your dog’s daily calorie intake, roughly about ten percent. A large dog can take far more calories and so could probably cope with half a banana as a snack, but if you were to ask how much banana can a small dog eat? The answer would be just a couple of chunks per day.

Can dogs eat banana peels?

You’d be forgiven for thinking twice about this question as other fruit peels can cause major problems for dogs, but banana peels aren’t toxic. However, that doesn’t mean you should let your dog eat them. They contain a lot of fiber and could cause a stomach upset or blockage in their digestive tract so just be vigilant if you have fruit lying around on easy-to-reach surfaces.

Can dogs eat frozen bananas?

This is an interesting question because you will notice that bananas are included in many dog-friendly ice cream recipes and the answer is yes. In fact, especially when your pup is young and you’re trying to figure out what their food go-tos are, you might want to try them with both normal and frozen bananas. Dogs may prefer the texture of a frozen banana and it might help cool them down in the summer months. 

Talk with your vet

Always speak with your vet if you’re unsure about new foods for your puppy  - they can help advise you about the best foods for puppy’s development and health. This goes for dogs at any age too, and it’s really worth keeping an eye on how they react to different foods. Be observant - notice changes in their toilet routines, bowel movements and behaviour. Be aware of allergy symptoms and know what to do if these occur.

The key takeaway to the question ‘can dogs eat bananas?’ is yes, of course, but in moderation. Dogs, like humans, need to limit sugar and if you’re unsure what a healthy, varied diet looks like, talk to your vet.