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Faizan
Most dogs would eat anything you give them, especially when they are hungry. But are bananas good for dogs? Yes, they are, provided you do not overfeed them with the same. Bananas are high in nutrition, and when given in moderation, are considered to be healthy for dogs.
Did You Know?
Bananas can be easily digested; hence, are unlikely to cause or aggravate digestion problems in dogs.
Considering that certain people foods are toxic to dogs, it is not wrong if the question 'can dogs have bananas' pops into your mind before feeding a few slices of the fruit to your beloved pet. Though eating bananas benefits humans in ways more than one, can the same thing be said when given to dogs. The following sections discuss and determine whether bananas are worth including in a dog's diet.
Can Bananas Be Given to Dogs?
Why not? Bananas are excellent sources of essential nutrients like vitamins B6 and C, and minerals such as potassium and manganese. While vitamin C can boost immunity, potassium can help regulate the blood pressure of your dog. Also, with bananas containing complex carbohydrates, amino acids, and natural sugar, they are a natural choice for energy boosting. This energy-boosting effect of bananas can be particularly useful for athletic dogs, who need more fuel in the tank than other breeds. In short, bananas have the goodness of nutrition that can certainly be beneficial to dogs.
Still, there are a few things that need to be kept in mind.
Too Much is Not Good
Anything in excess is not good for health, and this simple rule of thumb is also true when it comes to feeding bananas to dogs. Overfeeding is likely to do more harm than good to your dog's health. So, in your enthusiasm of giving nutritious food to your pet, in case you feed it in excess, your pet is likely to suffer from digestion problems. Feeding too much bananas can actually harden its stools and cause constipation.
Moreover, compared to other fruits, bananas tend to have higher sugar content. So, in this case, overfeeding is like adding too much sugar in your dog's diet, which can lead to obesity and weight gain. Also, as bananas provide instant energy, the fruit is particularly suited for active dogs that tend to have higher energy requirements. Therefore, in case you decide to incorporate bananas into your dog's diet, make sure your pet leads an active lifestyle.
Portion Size
Though nutritious, there is no need to give your pet bananas on a daily basis. For dogs, it should be an occasional food, a couple of times per week. How much to give depends on the size of the breed of your dog. Medium-sized dogs are usually given half a banana, whereas, large-sized dogs can be given one or even two bananas, a few times every week. On the other hand, if you have a small breed, you could give it a few small pieces to half a banana at the most.
Peel the Skin Off
Although there are no studies that indicate that the peels are harmful to dogs, one should still remove the peel before feeding, due to its high fiber content. Already a well-ripened banana minus the peel is rich in fiber. So, giving it a banana along with the peel can cause excess fiber intake, which may lead to digestion problems. Also, the peel has an offensive taste, which may deter your pet from having the banana in the first place. Moreover, eating the peel could possibly cause infections, as it might contain pathogenic organisms. Hence, to be on the safer side, one should feed bananas without the peel.
Are Bananas Good for Dogs with Diarrhea?
Feeding bananas is particularly beneficial for dogs suffering from diarrhea. This condition typically causes loss of electrolytes like potassium. One of the best ways to correct an electrolyte imbalance in your dog is to feed it a banana, as it is a good sources of potassium. Moreover, pectin, a type of fiber found in bananas, can help soothe your canine's stomach issues, as well as restore normal bowel movement. It is rightly said that feeding bananas is one of the best nutritional strategies for treating diarrhea in dogs.
As aforementioned, bananas are easily digestible, and even dogs affected with pancreatitis and kidney diseases, and are on a restricted diet, can have this fruit in small quantities. On the whole, bananas are nutritious, and are sure to benefit a dog's health, provided they are not overfed.
Did You Know?
Bananas can be easily digested; hence, are unlikely to cause or aggravate digestion problems in dogs.
Considering that certain people foods are toxic to dogs, it is not wrong if the question 'can dogs have bananas' pops into your mind before feeding a few slices of the fruit to your beloved pet. Though eating bananas benefits humans in ways more than one, can the same thing be said when given to dogs. The following sections discuss and determine whether bananas are worth including in a dog's diet.
Can Bananas Be Given to Dogs?
Why not? Bananas are excellent sources of essential nutrients like vitamins B6 and C, and minerals such as potassium and manganese. While vitamin C can boost immunity, potassium can help regulate the blood pressure of your dog. Also, with bananas containing complex carbohydrates, amino acids, and natural sugar, they are a natural choice for energy boosting. This energy-boosting effect of bananas can be particularly useful for athletic dogs, who need more fuel in the tank than other breeds. In short, bananas have the goodness of nutrition that can certainly be beneficial to dogs.
Still, there are a few things that need to be kept in mind.
Too Much is Not Good
Anything in excess is not good for health, and this simple rule of thumb is also true when it comes to feeding bananas to dogs. Overfeeding is likely to do more harm than good to your dog's health. So, in your enthusiasm of giving nutritious food to your pet, in case you feed it in excess, your pet is likely to suffer from digestion problems. Feeding too much bananas can actually harden its stools and cause constipation.
Moreover, compared to other fruits, bananas tend to have higher sugar content. So, in this case, overfeeding is like adding too much sugar in your dog's diet, which can lead to obesity and weight gain. Also, as bananas provide instant energy, the fruit is particularly suited for active dogs that tend to have higher energy requirements. Therefore, in case you decide to incorporate bananas into your dog's diet, make sure your pet leads an active lifestyle.
Portion Size
Though nutritious, there is no need to give your pet bananas on a daily basis. For dogs, it should be an occasional food, a couple of times per week. How much to give depends on the size of the breed of your dog. Medium-sized dogs are usually given half a banana, whereas, large-sized dogs can be given one or even two bananas, a few times every week. On the other hand, if you have a small breed, you could give it a few small pieces to half a banana at the most.
Peel the Skin Off
Although there are no studies that indicate that the peels are harmful to dogs, one should still remove the peel before feeding, due to its high fiber content. Already a well-ripened banana minus the peel is rich in fiber. So, giving it a banana along with the peel can cause excess fiber intake, which may lead to digestion problems. Also, the peel has an offensive taste, which may deter your pet from having the banana in the first place. Moreover, eating the peel could possibly cause infections, as it might contain pathogenic organisms. Hence, to be on the safer side, one should feed bananas without the peel.
Are Bananas Good for Dogs with Diarrhea?
Feeding bananas is particularly beneficial for dogs suffering from diarrhea. This condition typically causes loss of electrolytes like potassium. One of the best ways to correct an electrolyte imbalance in your dog is to feed it a banana, as it is a good sources of potassium. Moreover, pectin, a type of fiber found in bananas, can help soothe your canine's stomach issues, as well as restore normal bowel movement. It is rightly said that feeding bananas is one of the best nutritional strategies for treating diarrhea in dogs.
As aforementioned, bananas are easily digestible, and even dogs affected with pancreatitis and kidney diseases, and are on a restricted diet, can have this fruit in small quantities. On the whole, bananas are nutritious, and are sure to benefit a dog's health, provided they are not overfed.
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