Bananas for Dogs: Benefits and Yummy Treat Recipes for Your Dog

Thousands of dog parents are looking for ways to include fruit in their dogs' diets every month, and bananas are, unquestionably, at the top of the fruit list. The "Can dogs eat bananas?" question seems to be on every dog parent's mind right now, and for a good reason. Their high concentration of vital nutrients turns bananas into a tasty treat, and with a few of our Volhard tips, you will learn how to feed the appropriate amount of bananas to your dog.

Finding the Right Amount of Bananas for Your Dog

Your dog will be excited to welcome this healthy source of potassium, fiber, and vitamins into his diet, but up to a certain limit. As with other fruit or vegetable varieties (e.g., potatoes), too many bananas will show on the scale. Their high sugar concentration is enough to trigger accelerated weight gain in your dog so, if you want him to enjoy a healthy weight, keep an eye on his banana intake. Also, refrain from feeding bananas to your dog together with other fruity snacks since the excessive concentration of sugar will throw your dog’s system out of balance, with a particular emphasis on dogs suffering from diabetes.

Moreover, canine nutritionists recommend that fruit be served separately from protein: one hour before feeding meat and three hours after a protein meal. A dog's digestive system is slower to digest sugar than protein, therefore, the dog will prioritize the digestion of protein over sugar, causing the fruit to linger inside the stomach and ferment. Fermentation leads to alcohol, an intruder that your canine's body will never welcome. So respect your dog's digestion times to avoid such digestive issues altogether.

If you're looking for a banana treat that's considerate of your dog's weight, CocoTherapy Pure Hearts will definitely do the trick. Their preservative, color, and artificial flavor-free composition make CocoTherapy Pure Hearts a delicious and healthy banana snack for your canine companion.

Health Benefits of Bananas for Dogs

It's no wonder that more dog parents are turning towards bananas for their canine friends' treats. Magnesium, Biotin (i.e., a nutrient that promotes healthy skin and coat), Vitamins C and B6 are but a few of the helpful nutrients your dog needs to support a healthy immune system. But aside from these nutrients, the most valuable benefits brought by bananas in dogs reside in their fiber and potassium levels. Vegetable bananas (plantains) are not harmful to dogs but should not be served raw or in large quantities. Plantains contain dietary fiber and some anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

#1: Potassium

Potassium is a crucial nutrient for both canines and humans. This mineral benefits multiple areas of your dog's body, from muscles and bones to his vital organs, such as kidneys and the heart. For example, a healthy potassium intake will keep your canine friend's kidneys and heart healthy while promoting healthy bone density and muscle development.

Bananas contain enough potassium to help your dog receive his daily recommended amount. Each medium-sized banana holds around 422 mg of potassium, almost 50% of your canine's 1 g of daily recommended potassium intake!

Hypokalemia in Dogs

A small percentage of dogs do not receive enough potassium from their food and, therefore, suffer from a condition named hypokalemia. Aside from the health benefits mentioned above, potassium plays a critical role in conducting electrical charges in the heart, muscles, and nerves. Insufficient potassium levels disturb the conduction process and impair the ability of these tissues to function appropriately.

Hypokalemia is frequently signaled by symptoms such as:

• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Muscle pain and weakness
• Lack of appetite
• Polyuria (i.e., increased urination) and polydipsia (i.e., increased thirst)
• Higher mortality rates

#2: Fiber

Next off, we have fiber, the plant-based nutrient and type of carbohydrate that, unlike other carbohydrates, does not break down into digestible molecules but travels through the digestive system almost intact. Although useless at a nutrient level, fiber helps ensure a healthy digestive system by alleviating any blockages along the intestinal tract.

At 3.1 g per fruit, bananas contribute enough dietary fiber to ensure a healthy, balanced digestive system. Unfortunately, not all dogs enjoy a steady amount of fiber in their diets and frequently experience fiber imbalances. As a result, in case of a fiber imbalance, your dog can exhibit any of the following symptoms:

• Not enough fiber: constipation and very watery stools
• Too much fiber: increased stool volume and frequency, diarrhea, and gas

Have all of the benefits of feeding bananas to your dog impressed upon you their value and role in your canine’s life? Are you ready to supplement your dog's diet with more bananas? Feel free to gradually introduce raw bananas to your canine as a snack, but if you're looking for a fancier treat, we've also put together three banana recipes that will impress even the pickiest of eaters!

What's the difference between plantains and bananas nutritionally? Below is the nutritional info for 100 grams (roughly 1/2 cup) of bananas and plantains:

BananasPlantains

Calories89122

Carbs23 grams32 grams

Fiber3 grams2 grams

Potassium358 mg487 mg

Magnesium27 mg36 mg

Vitamin C9 mg18 mg

They are both healthy sources of complex carbohydrates. Plantains contain roughly 32 grams of carbs per 100-gram serving, while bananas contain 23 grams. However, this amount can vary, depending on the ripeness of the fruit. The main difference is that more of the carbs in bananas come from sugars, whereas more carbs in plantains are from starch.

They contain a similar number of calories: 89–122 calories per 100-gram serving. Neither is a significant source of fat or protein.

Scrumptious Banana Treats for Dogs

#1: Banana Dog Treats

Prep time: 10 minutes.

Cook time: 15 minutes.

Ingredients: 3 ½ cups oats, 3 medium-sized bananas, 2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 Tbsp. flaxseed or chia seeds.

How to prepare:

1. Mash the bananas together in a large bowl.

2. Process 2 ½ cups of oats until they reach a flour-like consistency and add to the mixing bowl.

3. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix; ensure that the dough is strong enough to hold together.

4. Roll the dough to 1/4" thickness and use a cookie cutter to create the desired shapes.

5. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes; for crunchier cookies, turn off the oven after 15 minutes and let the cookies sit in the oven for two hours.

Nutritional value per serving: Calories: 61 kcal; Carbohydrates: 12 g; Protein: 2 g; Fat: 1 g; Saturated fat: 1 g; Sodium: 1 mg; Potassium: 93 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vitamin A: 9 IU; Vitamin C: 1 mg; Calcium: 9 mg; Iron: 1 mg.

#2: Pumpkin Banana Dog Treats

Prep time: 10 minutes.

Cook time: 20 minutes.

Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 large-sized mashed banana, 2 well-beaten eggs, 3 cups of whole wheat flour.

How to prepare:

1. Mix the pumpkin puree, banana, and eggs in a large bowl.

2. Add the flour and mix until the dough is sticky.

3. Roll the dough to 1/4" thickness on a floured surface and use a bone cookie cutter to cut out the treats.

4. Place the treats on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

5. Allow to cool and serve.

#3: Peanut Butter and Banana Biscuits

Prep time: 25 minutes.

Cook time: 30 minutes.

Ingredients: 1 egg, ⅓ cup peanut butter, ½ cup mashed banana, 1 Tbsp. honey, 1 cup whole wheat flour, ½ cup wheat germ, 1 egg white, lightly beaten.

How to prepare:

1. Stir the egg, peanut butter, banana, and honey together in a large bowl until they thoroughly blend.

2. Add the flour and wheat germ and mix.

3. Roll the dough to 1/4" thickness on a floured surface and use a cookie cutter to cut out the treats.

4. Brush the treat tops with egg white.

5. Place the treats on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 30 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

6. Allow to cool and serve.

Nutritional value per serving: Calories: 128 kcal; Protein: 5.3 g; Carbohydrates: 17.7 g; Fat: 5.2 g; Sodium: 41 mg.

A Parting Reminder

Out of all fruits, bananas are the most worthy of becoming a fundamental part of your dog's routine and diet. We hope that our banana treat recipes will encourage you to create more delicious ways of feeding this superfruit to your canine friend. For more advice on dog nutrition, health, and training, make sure that you contact us or check out our blog! 

Volhard Dog Nutrition and its expert nutritionists are now offering online consultations to help more dog parents discover why, what, and how to feed their dogs the healthiest of foods! Speaking to a Volhard nutritionist will help you understand the inseparable relationship between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind. If you're interested in contacting one of our Volhard nutritionists, don't hesitate to access our consultation page!