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The goal of any dog owner is to ensure their pet’s optimal health by providing them with high nutrition diets. A brilliant way to achieve this is by including more fruits in your dog’s meals. But what specific fruits are appropriate for dogs?
Interestingly enough, many fruits out there are unbefitting for dogs because they contain certain compounds that our canine friends do not easily metabolize. Thankfully, the good old Banana isn’t one of such fruits. Bananas are not only tasty but are rich in biotin, vitamins, and potassium, making them a wholesome, low-calorie treat for dogs.
Have you been considering including bananas in your dog’s diet? Are you confused about the quantity and how frequently they should have it? Are you worried that there might be some side effects? In this post, we’ll provide credible answers to these questions and more!
Are Bananas Safe for Dogs?
Generally, yes. Unlike fruits such as grapes and cherries, veterinarians have asserted that bananas are safe for your dog’s consumption. Aside from having zero fat content, this antioxidant-packed berry possesses endless nutritional benefits, including fiber, Vitamin C, Folate, Riboflavin, Copper, Niacin, Magnesium, and Potassium.
Of course, the age and size of your dog must be taken into consideration in determining the quantity and frequency of banana servings you give your pooch. Nevertheless, bananas remain the perfect healthy treat for dogs and an excellent alternative to processed snacks.
When are Bananas Dangerous for Dogs?
Harmless as they may seem, bananas can quickly become a threat to your dog’s health when consumed inappropriately. For instance, if a dog eats a banana with the peel, it will experience difficulties digesting the fruit due to its high fiber content. Consequently, the dog will be predisposed to vomiting and diarrhea. The banana peel can also cause intestinal blockage in severe cases, a fatal condition for many dogs.
Given its high sugar content, consuming large amounts of bananas can also hurt your dog’s health. Too much sugar results in excessive weight gain, which in turn causes obesity or even diabetes. As such, dog owners must ascertain a moderate amount of bananas for their dogs from a qualified veterinarian.
How Much Banana is Too Much for Dogs?
Generally, the size and age of dogs determine the amount of bananas they can safely consume. Usually, one-half of a banana a day would be fine for bigger dogs, while smaller ones require two to three small pieces per day. That being said, you should still contact your dog’s veterinarian to confirm.
To avoid any side effects, it is advisable to feed your dog bananas only once in a while. A general rule of thumb regarding this is that 90 percent of your dog’s food should constitute regular food, then the remainder can include treats, fruits, and veggies.
Fun Ways to Serve Your Dog Bananas
The ideal way to serve your pooch bananas is by peeling them and cutting them into bite sizes. But does mealtime have to be so basic? Certainly, there must be ways to spice things up with this fantastic treat.
For instance, consider mashing the Banana and filling it into a Kong dog toy. This would give your dog something tasty to play with for a while. Another fun recipe is to mix the bananas with dog-safe peanut butter. The taste of this mixture will definitely fascinate your dog.
The Bottom Line
Bananas are truly great for dogs. In addition to being a healthy snack option, they are inexpensive and available throughout the year. Not to mention the fact that they can be served in multiple ways.
However, since bananas are generally consumed in small quantities, you must not allow your pooch to depend solely on this fruit for nutrients. A dog’s regular diet should contain sufficient nutrients to maintain its optimal health so that any other thing they eat only provides additional nutrients.
Finally, dog owners must always look out for their pet’s feedback, especially when introducing this treat for the first time. Are they reacting in any way? Did they seem like they enjoyed the fruit? If you notice any signs indicating that they didn’t receive the banana treat well, there’s no reason to repeat it.