Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

Some pooches love feasting on fruit. And who could blame them- the fresh and sweet treats are hard to pass up on. However, not all types of fruit are suitable for dogs to eat. In fact, some are downright dangerous to our four-legged babies, such as grapes or persimmons, for example.

But what about bananas? We definitely enjoy the yummy, carb-rich fruit in all forms, but can dogs eat bananas safely? The answer is yes. This starchy fruit is chock full of important vitamins and nutrients, and its unique texture and flavor make it an ideal snack for our four-legged companions. But, although dogs can eat bananas, it doesn’t mean they’re free to eat how much they like and in any form. As it is usually the case with giving dogs food that is primarily for human consumption, knowing how much to feed them and how is what makes all the difference.

Take a look at our comprehensive guide to learn can dogs eat bananas raw or in treats, what are the benefits and downsides to including bananas in a dog’s diet, and, most importantly, get some seriously pawesome recipes that will inspire you to whip up some mouthwatering dog treats with bananas.

Most dogs love eating bananas, and it’s perfectly safe for them to consume this yummy fruit when it’s peeled. But, it’s not only the delectable taste that makes bananas an excellent dog treat- it’s their healthiness. Bananas, like all other dog-safe fruit, is ideally suited as a snack for dogs struggling with being overweight or those affected by food allergies. In comparison to commercial dog treats, bananas are a healthy alternative with a significantly lower calorie count, so you won’t have to feel guilty about wanting to treat your chubby pooch.

Additionally, bananas are an excellent source of essential minerals such as copper, manganese, and, of course, potassium; all of which are essential for your pet’s immune system and overall health. Bananas also contain vitamin B6 and C, as well as biotin, which will promote healthy coat and skin in dogs. To boot, the high levels of starch and fiber in bananas will support a healthy digestive system and help doggies who are having poop troubles.

When it comes to can dogs eat bananas dried, though, the situation is a bit different. While dehydrated bananas are still a safe treat for pooches, you shouldn’t go over the top with these crunchy snacks. A handful of dried banana chips has much more calories and sugar than a handful of raw bananas. Not to mention that, sometimes, store-bought dried banana chips can contain preservatives and additives that might not be good for your pooch! So, to make sure you’re treating your furbaby with only the best, go for fresh, peeled banana or homemade dried banana chips. And if you really want to step your treat game up, dip banana slices in peanut butter, or throw together one of our delicious homemade dog treats.

Plantains, or cooking bananas, might not be as common as their dessert counterpart, but that doesn’t mean that they’re unsafe. This type of bananas is higher in starch and lower in sugar, so they might not be as yummy to your pet, but you can give them a few bites of plantain without worrying about side effects. Of course, it should go without saying, cooking bananas shouldn’t be given raw. If you want to give your pet plantain, it has to be cooked or steamed, plain without spices or sugar.

Although we’ve established that the answer to the question “can dogs eat bananas” is yes, it doesn’t mean you can go wild about it. As it is with everything else, moderation is the key. When it comes to dogs, bananas can be too much of a good thing.

For instance, when fed in moderation, mashed bananas can be a wonderful aid to pooches with diarrhea, but, if you start including this tasty treat on a daily basis, it can lead to constipation issues. But poo problems are not the worst side-effect to giving your dog too much bananas- it’s the potential for hyperkalemia.

Hyperkalemia, or excessive levels of potassium in the bloodstream, can affect your pet’s heart, in some cases leading to serious complications. However, while this could happen, it would mean you’ve truly gone overboard with banana treats or that your dog has found a way to raid your smoothie stash. To conclude, if you include bananas as an occasional treat in moderate servings, you won’t have to worry about side-effects and risks.

Now that you know that bananas are safe for dogs to eat, you can go about it in one of two ways. First, you could peel and slice a banana, dip it in peanut butter, or stuff your dog’s Kong with banana chips and call it a day. The other is to use bananas as an ingredient for a mouthwatering, paw licking dog treats from one of our recipes. Your call!

Plain yogurt, honey, peanut butter and mashed banana- it’s all it takes to make a perfect doggie dessert for hot summer days. Your dog will love these frozen bite-sized treats and they’ll help cool them off- a win-win combination!

Your pooch will go bananas for this dog-friendly version of the classic dessert! Serve it cool and watch your four-

legged companion gobble it down in seconds. To make a loaf for your four-legged gourmand, you’ll need whole wheat flour, baking powder, bananas, egg, cinnamon, and some almond milk.

Apple Banana Fresh Breath Dog Treat Recipe

Are your pooch’s smooches stinky? Don’t worry, there’s a way to eliminate your dog’s bad breath, and it’s a method your pet will totally be on board with. It involves grated apples, banana, flour, mint, and parsley- this baked, crunchy breath freshener is bound to be your dog’s favorite.

Make use of the bountiful berry season with these delicious homemade cookies for dogs. The mixture of strawberries, peanut butter, and bananas makes for a flavorful nom- the rest of the ingredients are simply overshadowed by this trio.

While this is THE perfect Halloween dog treat, you can make these scarily tasty dog treats any time of the year. In addition to the pumpkin puree, banana, egg, flour, cinnamon, and oil you knew to expect, these recipe calls for chia seeds and powdered milk.

Banana Coconut Dog Treat Recipe

These dog cookies smell so good; you’ll be tempted to try them yourself. And with an ingredient list that includes banana, almond milk, shredded coconut, cinnamon, rolled oats, flaxseed and whole wheat flour… You can definitely have a bit of a taste test before you serve these to your furball.

If you have a pooch that doesn’t swallow treats in seconds, they’ll particularly enjoy this mouth melting goodness. These biscuits have a perfect texture and a flavor that leaves no canine indifferent! Rolled oats, flour, baking powder, mashed banana and a bit of honey to sweeten the deal- talk about pampering your pooch.

This is another great idea for refreshing summer treats for dogs! Blend banana, pumpkin puree, honey and yogurt for a poochy popsicle your pet will love.

A treat that combines veggies and fruit into delicious, crunchy dog snack? Miracles do happen. Combine flour, cornmeal, cinnamon with egg, some oil and top it all off with mashed banana and grated carrots for a super healthy, super yummy treat.

While these bars might make you barf, the unusual combo of bananas, beef, cream cheese, eggs, cinnamon, and oats is definitely going to make your dog drool. Yup, dogs are big weirdos when it comes to food they like.

If you want to minimize gluten in your pet’s diet or have a doggie with a particularly sensitive tummy, try out these treats. The recipe calls for coconut oil, coconut flour, egg, peanut butter, mashed banana, almond milk and a bit of honey.