Can dogs eat bananas or is it harmful?

Feeding our pet usually requires a lot of time and worries. And even more so when it comes to a puppy that comes to our family to raise. How can you not think about him?

And the cuddles begin on both sides. What can you do if I give you some of this cookie? He watches me when I eat ravioli, what if I gave him one? It won’t do anything to him, for sure.

We tend to think that what we eat they can definitely eat. But is not so. Neither in quality nor in quantity. So, if we love it, we must first know well which natural foods they can eat and which they cannot. And discuss all limitations with your vet.

Now, if our dog usually looks at us when we taste something, something insignificant, how can we not want him to look at us when he sees us eating a banana? It is a wonderful fruit, with a spectacular shape and color.

Let’s clarify right away: bananas are not included in any prohibited list, one of those products that can harm dogs and even kill them: like grapes, raisins, avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, mushrooms , alcohol or raw fish.

Banana is not harmful to a dog. But, as we will see for many fruits and vegetables that humans eat daily, the dog will only be able to eat them in small portions. And never every day and in large quantities.

Graciela Castillo, veterinary doctor with registration 5169, explains to us that “the banana has similar characteristics to the apple. If it’s a little it’s good, but it can’t be abused. So we must always consider it as a snack, a reward or a supplement for the dog. But never let it be part of your daily food.

Regarding the dose, the expert from Veterinaria Honduras, from Palermo, adds: “You must always dose the banana taking into account the age and size of the dog. For example, if we have a Pekingese dog, no matter how energetic he is, we cannot give him more than a small piece of banana as a reward. Now, if we want to compensate for the good behavior of a Great Dane, half a banana is fine. And if we go with the Great Dane to the square, and he runs with other dogs, well, there we give him the whole banana, always peeled”.

The banana, never with the peel

There is no vet who doesn’t warn how dangerous is it to give your dog a whole banana, with the peel on. As is known, dogs usually love the smell of bananas and eat them whole.

The website of the pioneering company Hill’s® Pet Nutrition tells us that we should never give banana peels to a dog. And note that, while not particularly toxic (like other foods), «banana peels are difficult to digest and could make you sick or cause an intestinal obstruction. So make sure you throw away the banana peels in a place where your dog can’t access them.

He also advises us to observe our dog when we first give him a piece of banana as a reward to see if he shows signs of rejection or digestive distress. And of course, never give banana to a dog who has diabetes problems, because the sugar in banana is very strong.

The benefits of banana

The specialized site My animals specifies that the nutritional power of the banana is due to the fact that it is a “source of fibre, potassium and vitamins A, B2, B6, C and riboflavin. But it also has a significant carbohydrate content, which is reflected in starch when the banana is green and is converted into sugars (sucrose, glucose and fructose) when it is ripe.”

And he adds the importance of using the banana only as a reward or compensation in small portions. But having said this, with caution, the page adds that “the natural probiotics in this fruit will help you regulate your intestinal flora and you will have a healthier digestive system. Magnesium will promote bone growth and allow the body to produce proteins. While vitamins C and B6 will strengthen your immune system and help prevent heart disease.

Despite all the advertised benefits, the experts at Mis Animales detail on their website some side effects that can occur when giving banana to dogs. And these, essentially, are:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Hyperactivity