I always thought that dogs are carnivorous and will eat only meat and possibly some rice or starches.
That was till I got a cocker spaniel I was amazed to see that my pet ate almost anything- raw vegetables and even curd and cheese. I then saw the dog eat a banana and like it too.
In fact, she seemed to enjoy bananas. Now I had never heard of dogs eating a fruit or liking fruits and I become concerned, is it good for Dogs to eat bananas? They are good for monkeys and humans but are they safe for the dog? I started to do some research and talked with a few owners and here is what I found out.
Can Dogs eat Bananas? Dogs can definitely eat bananas. It can actually be good for them as it contains loads of potassium, magnesium and Vitamins like B6.
But it is a fruit and has lots of sugar in it too so you do need to monitor the amount it consumes.
Especially be careful that the dog does not eat the peels as it can get stuck in the digestive tract and lead to stomach upset as well.
Benefits of eating Bananas
Extra fibre
Sometimes the extra fiber can help the dog with gastrointestinal issues.
Potassium
The potassium is an excellent mineral that is important to your dog’s health. Dogs need to have around 20 mg of potassium daily in their food.
- Potassium is necessary for optional organ function. The heart, liver, kidneys are maintained in good condition when there is sufficient potassium in the diet and bananas are an excellent source of this mineral.
- Potassium boosts muscle growth and muscle strength in dogs. It also helps enhance the motor skills of the dogs
- Metabolism is boosted with adequate amounts of potassium. The mineral helps the absorption of nutrients from food and helps digestion.
- Potassium is also a necessary ingredient for promoting bone health in dogs. Along with calcium and phosphorus potassium helps increase the bone density of the dogs.
- Potassium is also found to be good for neural function and brain development in dogs. SO if you want an intelligent pooch to ensure adequate potassium in its diet.
Vitamin B6
- It is necessary for protein synthesis and the general health of the dog
- It helps maintain the functioning of the hormone secretions that control the mood and feeling of well being in the dog
- Fats and proteins are better absorbed due to this vitamin
- The potassium sodium balance is maintained by this vitamin which in turn maintain the water regulation in dogs
- It is important in maintaining brain functioning and for heart health
Vitamin C
A dog could use a daily dose of 250 mg of Vitamin C for maintaining its overall health
- It is necessary for fighting disease in dogs and is a powerful antioxidant
- Vitamin C is effective in preventing allergies]
- Prevents issue with spine and degenerative joint disease as it promotes the production of collagen
- Dog’s coat health is linked to adequate vitamin C in the food
- It is useful against ear infections, urinary tract or bladder infections
- It is effective against respiratory problems
- It is good for the immune system
Disadvantages of Dogs eating Bananas
Sugar content
The sugar content in bananas is high. Just like for humans, we should not allow the dog to binge eat bananas. Bananas as a snack or a treat is okay.
How to feed Bananas to your Dog
My puppy just loves bananas. She is 6 months old now. When she was little I used to smash the banana either using a spoon or my fingers.
This was then served in her food bowl.
As she grew older I just gave her a chunk of banana which she LOVED to nibble on (or let’s say gulp down).