Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Are They Safe? Advice From A Vet

Dogs are known for their indiscriminate appetites. They can and will devour anything that crosses their paths, including things they shouldn’t be eating. But, can dogs eat bananas? Yes, they can – but in moderation!!

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What Makes Bananas A Good Snack Option For Dogs?

Bananas are one of the few healthy foods that are okay for dogs to snack on, as long as they don’t eat too much. They contain healthy potassium, vitamins, copper, fiber, and biotin.

While they are also low in calories, they are relatively high in sugar. So a lot of banana at any one time could make your dog sick or give them diarrhea.

What About The Banana Peel?

Don’t feed your dog the peel, and don’t let them get a hold of a peel from a banana! The biggest concern is that they would swallow it whole and that might cause obstruction issues in some dogs. It’s not toxic, but it can still be dangerous.

On the few occasions that my Golden Retriever has gotten hold of a banana peel, she has thankfully vomited up the peel before it caused a bigger issue. Thankfully she seems to have learned from those experiences because she no longer is tempted with peels.

Does My Dog Need To Eat Bananas?

No – no matter what they may tell you! A little bit here and there is fine for a snack, but it doesn’t need to be part of your dog’s regular diet. There’s simply too much sugar in it for it to be completely healthy on a regular basis.

How To Give Your Dog Banana

There are a couple of ways you can give your dog pieces of banana that is safe and relatively clean:

Small slices that are fresh from your counter
Frozen slices are great – they last longer and your dog will appreciate that
Frozen and then placed inside of a Kong or similar chew toy. That could keep them busy for the better part of an hour!

Mixed together with a little bit of their regular dinner

Other Fruits That Are Safe And Healthy

As a veterinarian with 20 years of experience, I’ve rarely come across a dog who had issues with eating fruit. Just remember that these are great, low-calorie snacks and shouldn’t be the main staple of your dog’s diet.

Apples (just not the seeds or the core)

Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cranberries

Cucumbers
Mangoes
Oranges

Peaches
Pears
Pineapples

Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon

Fruits That Are Dangerous To Dogs

Since you’re here asking about bananas, let’s make sure you know a few fruits that you should NOT give to your dog:

Avocado – every part of this fruit is potentially toxic to dogs
Cherries – the fleshy part around the seed is safe, but every other part of a cherry plant is toxic;

Grapes (and Raisins) – even one grape can shut down your dog’s kidneys
Tomatoes – the fleshy fruit isn’t toxic, but the plant is. Be mindful when planting a garden in your backyard if your dog likes to chew on things

Conclusion

You can give your dog bananas without any worries. They’re a much healthier snack when you’re wanting to treat your dog.