Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
Yes. Bananas are safe for dogs and most love them, but they're fairly high in natural sugar, so give small slices and not a lot every day.
What it gives your dog
Bananas provide potassium, vitamin B6, some magnesium and soluble fiber. They're soft, easy to chew and digest, and work very well as a base for homemade treats or for stuffing Kong-type toys. They're also handy for hiding a pill.
Their weak spot is sugar: about 12 g per 100 g and around 89 kcal, quite a bit more than apples or watermelon. A whole banana for a small dog is almost a quarter of what they should eat in a day. That's why it's best to treat banana as a treat, not as an open serving of fruit. The peel isn't toxic, but it's tough and fibrous and can cause vomiting or a blockage.
How to serve it
- Peeled, in thin slices
- Mashed to stuff toys
- Frozen in slices as a summer treat
- As an ingredient in homemade cookies or bites
How much can they eat?
Small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb): 2-3 thin slices (15-20 g). Medium (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb): a third of a banana (30-40 g). Large (over 25 kg / 55 lb): half a banana (50-60 g). Count it within the 10% of daily calories for extras, and less if your dog is overweight.
Risks
- Sugar and calories: weight gain if given daily
- Constipation or soft stool if overdone
- The peel doesn't digest well: vomiting or blockage
- Store-bought banana chips: fried and sweetened
Frequently asked questions
Are bananas good for dogs with diarrhea?
A little ripe banana may help some dogs because it provides soluble fiber and potassium, which is lost with diarrhea. But it doesn't replace a bland diet or the vet, and too much can make things worse. If the diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, there's blood or your dog seems down, call the clinic.
How much banana can a dog eat a day?
As a guide, 15-20 g for a small dog, 30-40 g for a medium dog and about 50-60 g for a large one, so anywhere from a couple of slices to half a banana. Better not every day: it has more sugar than other fruits, and all treats together shouldn't exceed 10% of what your dog eats.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.