Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

Three questions pet parents often ask us at events and via email are, "Can dogs eat bananas?" and "Are bananas good for dogs?" or "Can dogs eat banana cake?" And the answer is yes and no! A dog will benefit from eating mashed-up bananas, banana chips, and banana frozen dog treats. A dog should not eat banana cake or bread because it could be high in sugar and fat or have ingredients that are unsafe for dogs, such as chocolate, nutmeg, or xylitol.

Are Bananas Good for Dogs?

Are bananas good for dogs? Can dogs eat bananas? You bet they can! The fruit of a banana is excellent for dogs. There are many nutritional benefits dogs receive from eating bananas. Here’s a quick list of reasons why bananas can benefit your pup!

• Bananas are high in potassium. Potassium is an electrolyte and adds hydration. This is great because many dogs do not get enough moisture in their diet!

• Bananas are high in Vitamin B6. B6 helps with metabolism, mood, brain health, and more. The body doesn’t make B6, so it has to come from your pup’s diet.

• Bananas are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant. Antioxidants can help with inflammation.

• Bananas are prebiotic because they contain inulin, which grows the good bacteria in your pup’s body. There are about 3 grams of fiber or inulin per banana!

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread?

No. It is better not to offer banana bread to dogs. Some ingredients commonly found in banana bread that are not safe or good for a dog’s health include sugar, walnuts, chocolate, and nutmeg. Pet parents generally know chocolate is toxic to dogs, but did you know that nutmeg is also toxic? Xylitol is also toxic to dogs and is found in some peanut butter brands. Plus, xylitol goes by other names, such as birch sugar or xylite, so it’s important to review your labels before baking for your dog.

Are Bananas Safe for Dogs?

Can dogs eat bananas, and are bananas good for dogs? Absolutely. It’s okay for a dog to eat a bit of banana! Try mashing up 1/4 of a banana and adding it to your pup’s food for added hydration, prebiotics, and vitamins. Your dog will love this easy dog food topper and the aroma of the mashed-up banana. You will love the additional nutrients, fiber, and moisture it provides to round out your pup's meal.

Can Puppies Have Bananas?

Are bananas good for dogs, and are bananas good for puppies? There is a very simple guideline to follow with puppies: give them everything an older dog can have but in smaller amounts. They are smaller animals with smaller stomachs, so just give them less. But since it's fine for dogs to eat bananas, it's fine for puppies, too.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Peels?

No. Do not give a dog banana peels. Do not give a puppy banana peels. Banana peels are not toxic to dogs but could cause a blockage. Banana peels can also make a dog vomit. It's best to keep whole bananas well out of the dog’s reach, high on a counter. But if your dog ingests a banana peel or a whole banana, the best thing to do is to call your veterinarian. They will likely have you observe your dog and your dog’s symptoms from home.

If your dog does show upset stomach symptoms or is sick to the stomach, call your veterinarian quickly. If your dog vomits some or all of the banana peel, take a picture to show your veterinarian team.

A potential intestinal blockage could be life-threatening, so it's important to take action quickly. Here's a list of symptoms where you should take action should your dog ingest a banana peel:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• No stools or very few stools

• Straining to pass stools

• Lethargy (extreme tiredness)

• Stomach pain

• Reduced or lack of appetite

  
  

Do Dogs Like Bananas?

Yes, many dogs like bananas! Bananas have a sweet, strong smell, so dogs tend to be curious when they catch a whiff of the fruit. The Bear & The Rat’s most popular frozen dog treat flavor is banana & peanut butter. Bananas and peanut butter go very well together. It's a classic combination of sweet and savory that wags a dog’s tail. If you make a banana and peanut butter treat for your dog at home, just make sure there is no xylitol in your peanut butter. Some brands of peanut butter have xylitol in them. Xylitol can be lethal to dogs if ingested.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips?

Yes! Dogs can eat banana chips, and if you’ve never seen them eat a banana chip, you should try it because it is hilarious. As with all treats, let them enjoy the banana chips in moderation, as some might have sugar or artificial flavors. It's best to make your own or look for unsweetened banana chips.

Can Dogs Eat Banana Cake?

No, your dog should not eat banana cake because it’s common for banana cake made for humans to have sugar, chocolate, nutmeg, and walnuts, for example. Why not try making a banana & peanut butter dog cake just for them? All you have to do is use this peanut butter dog cupcake mix. Check out this simple recipe for dog-safe banana cake!

Banana & Peanut Butter Dog Cupcakes

1 Banana, Mashed

1 pouch of peanut butter-flavored dog cake mix

1 egg-you can substitute applesauce for the egg if your dog has allergies or if you'd prefer.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil or coconut oil

3/4 cup water

Dog Frosting Ingredients

2 cups plain yogurt-you can use Greek yogurt if you'd like but try to find zero or low-sugar.

½ cup peanut butter If you'd like to amp up the flavor, make sure there is no xylitol in the peanut butter, as it is not safe for dogs, and some brands of peanut butter do have xylitol in them.

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350℉. Prepare the cupcake pan by putting cupcake liners into the pan and giving them a quick spray with a nonstick spray to ensure the dog cupcakes won't stick to the liners. Set aside.

2. Mash 1 banana. Add water, egg, oil, and the dog cake mix into a large bowl and stir by hand for 1 minute until the batter is smooth. Pour the batter into your cupcake pan.

3. Bake for 20-24 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center. Your dog cupcakes are done when the toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.

4. Mix yogurt and peanut butter (if using) together.

5. Top your banana & peanut butter dog cupcakes with frosting and sprinkles if you want to make your dog cupcakes super adorable.

   
   

Benefits of Bananas for Dogs

There are many nutritional benefits of bananas for dogs. Bananas are high in potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and fiber. Try mashing up a 1/4 of a banana and using it as a food topper to enhance your dog’s food, adding hydration, vitamins, and nutrients.

Keep Your Dog’s Banana Portions Small

It's best to keep your dog's banana portions small. Although bananas have natural sugar, the sugar could upset their digestive system, and large chunks of bananas could be a choking hazard. Do not feed the peel to your dog. When determining their serving size, think about your dog's overall size. It's best to err on caution and start the serving size very small to ensure they can tolerate the fruit well.

Ways to Feed Your Dog Bananas as a Treat

Here’s a quick list of dog-safe ways to feed bananas to your dog as a treat:

• Banana chips that you make yourself or you find unsweetened

• Banana & Peanut Butter Dog Ice Cream

• Mashed-up bananas on top of their food

Avoid Feeding Peels

Avoid feeding banana peels to your dog. If your dog ingests a banana peel or a whole banana, the best thing to do is to call your veterinarian. They will likely have you observe your dog and your dog’s symptoms from home.

If your dog shows upset stomach symptoms or is sick to the stomach, call your veterinarian immediately. If your dog vomits some or all of the banana peel, take a picture to show your veterinary team.

A potential intestinal blockage could be life-threatening, so it's important to take action quickly.

Go Bananas!

If you want to make an easy, dog-safe banana cake for your dog, find the peanut butter dog cupcake mix HERE.

We'd love to see any banana dog cakes that you make. Please tag us on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook!