Can Your Dog Eat Bananas?
There’s plenty of wonderful variety when it comes to human foods, but, unfortunately, many of them cannot be enjoyed by our dogs, and some of them are even toxic. We love to share food from our plate with our canine buddies, and have you ever noticed that sometimes a dog won’t even eat if his human is not around? This chummy companionship makes us want to share what we love with them. But, can we share our go-to superfood snack—the health-boosting banana—with our good boys and girls?
The short answer is yes. Most dogs can safely eat bananas in moderation. But you should always remember that a dog’s body is quite different from a human’s, and dogs have different nutritional needs. That said, what may be a superfood for humans may not be as healthy for dogs. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of giving banana to your dog.
What Nutrients Do Bananas Pack?
A single serving of bananas is of 126 grams. One serving of bananas contains 110 calories, 30g of carbohydrates, 1g of protein, and 15g of sugar.
Bananas also contain potassium, manganese, vitamin B6, fiber, biotin, copper, vitamin C, and sodium. But, due to high sugar content, you should not include bananas as a big part of their regular meals. However, you can use them as healthy treats.
Are Bananas Good for Dogs?
Bananas in their peeled form are best for dogs. However, if your four-legged friend eats some of the peel, it shouldn’t be a major concern. However, a dog’s digestive system may not be able to efficiently digest all the fibers a banana contains, and, as a reaction to it, he might throw up. Just like your dog will vomit after eating grass.
Unlike grapes and raisins, bananas are not toxic to dogs, but they aren’t nutritious enough to replace his regular food. In addition, too many bananas can even lead your pooch to constipation.
In a nutshell, bananas in moderation are okay for dogs, but they are no meal replacement.
How Can You Feed Bananas to Your Dog?
Many experts suggest following the 90/10 rule. According to this rule, 90 percent of your dog’s total calories for a day should come from his favorite wholesome dog food, and the rest can be from treats. Considering that, bananas can fit well within a dog’s diet as treats.
If you are not good at cooking or can’t take out much time to cook from your hectic workday, you can simply serve him a peeled banana in small pieces. Your dog might not like bananas, as the texture of it is quite different in its plain form. As a solution to that, you can feed him a lightly frozen one. Frozen food has a harder texture that your pooch may find more palatable.
What Ingredients Will You Need to Prepare a Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats?
These ingredients should be easy to find, helping you create some tasty treats for your pup.
- 1 beaten egg
- 1 mashed banana
- 3 Tablespoons of peanut butter (no sugar added)
- 1 cup of oat flour or coconut flour
- ⅔ cup of rolled oats or coconut flakes
- ½ cup of dried parsley
- 1 Tablespoon honey
Directions:
First, preheat the oven to 300°F.
Blend all the ingredients properly in a bowl and let the mixture sit for about five minutes.
Take a spoon and spoon out enough dough to roll into small balls (about 24) and set them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Now, press the balls down to the shape of a two-inch flat disc.
Bake for 40–45 minutes and let it cool down when done.
You can store these dog treats in a seal-tight food container and keep it in the fridge, or can freeze them to use them at a later date.
And that’s it! Create delicious banana snacks that your dog is sure to love, remember to treat him responsibly, and you’ll have one happy pup.
