Bananas have long been no longer exotic, not only in the diet of humans but also of pets. Many dogs adore this soft and delicate fruit. But can dogs eat bananas? In what quantity? Can fruits harm a pet’s health? Let’s try to understand these issues.
What are the benefits of bananas for animals?
Fruits contain many fiber, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. The introduction of bananas into a dog’s diet has a positive effect on all organ systems:
- Normalizes water balance;
- Has a probiotic effect on the intestines, promotes the growth of beneficial microflora;
- Improves heart rate;
- Strengthens the nervous system;
- Strengthens the immune system;
- Improves muscle condition and performance.
Can bananas harm your pet?
Firstly, the pulp of the fruit contains a large amount of sugar. A piece of banana once a week will not harm your dog’s health. If your pet eats at least one fruit daily, the consequences may be diabetes or pancreatitis. Bananas are high-calorie foods, so when adding them to your pet’s menu, you must carefully consider the dog’s body and lifestyle characteristics.
The second negative point associated with bananas is allergies. Although allergic reactions to this fruit are rare, if your pet is predisposed to allergies, you should give bananas with caution. It’s better to start with a small piece and then observe the reaction of the skin and the body. Frequent symptoms of allergies are itching, rashes, redness of the skin, and swelling of the mucous membrane of the mouth. If your dog doesn’t ask for a banana, you shouldn’t specifically teach it to eat it.
The third thing that can happen to an animal after eating bananas is intestinal upset in the form of constipation or diarrhea. Constipation occurs when eating unripe fruits, which contain a large amount of starch and are challenging to digest in the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea develops if a dog eats more than average amounts of overripe fruit.
Finally, it should be noted that banana peels are harmful. It is difficult to digest food. In addition, to transport the fruits, they are treated with special agents that can cause symptoms of intoxication in the dog: nausea, vomiting, increased formation of gases in the intestines, and diarrhea.
In what form should bananas be given?
You can give Bananas to dogs fresh, whole, or in pieces. It is not advisable to mix the fruit with the leading food; it is better to provide it after meals or as a reward in between feedings.
Another option is to chop the bananas and freeze the resulting mass as cubes. Such lollipops are suitable in the hot season to quench thirst and replenish minerals, for example, during active training.
You can cut the fruits into thin pieces and dry them in the oven. The result is banana chips that can reward your dog or simply as a treat.
How much and how often can you give?
Small dog breeds can eat approximately one and a half bananas weekly. It would help if you calculated the frequency of feeding yourself, focusing on the characteristics of your pet’s body.
Representatives of large breeds can eat several bananas at once, but this should not be allowed, even if the animal tolerates the fruit well. The abundance of fiber and sugars can negatively affect your pet’s health in the future. On average, 2-4 fruits per week are enough for such dogs.
What dogs can’t eat bananas?
It is to give bananas to animals suffering from diabetes, obesity, or pancreatic diseases. It would help if you did not indulge pets prone to intestinal upset with these fruits.
You should consult a doctor if your dog ate a banana with the peel and its health worsens (diarrhea, vomiting). After eating banana peels, you must carefully monitor your animal’s stool. The absence of bowel movements for 1-2 days is another reason for an urgent visit to the clinic.
