Banana dog treats are a healthy and cheap way of showing appreciation and love to your four-legged furry little animal. Not only are they full of nutrition that includes potassium, fiber, and magnesium, but they work as a source of energy so that your dog can be playful throughout the day.
But before you head off to buy or make little treats, make sure you know the proper amount of bananas that are suitable for them according to their growth and whether your dog is allergic to bananas or not.
Banana Dog Treats – Everything Explained in detail
Luckily to find out these and more, you don’t have to go anywhere. Just stick with us because we have it all covered for you. Oh yes, and we have also added some woofalicious homemade dog treat recipes that are easy to make.
Purpose of Dog Treats
The purpose of dog treats is mainly to reward them, especially when they are undergoing training, as most dogs perform better when food is offered to them as a prize. Besides that, no matter how old your dog is, it will always be on the lookout for treats.
Treats are also beneficial when it comes to creating a bond with your dog and promoting your pet’s oral care, which includes healthy gums and teeth.
Giving them something to chew on also helps to keep them engaged and not feel bored. Most of all, dog treats are a good way of providing your pup with extra nutrition in a fun way that they will enjoy.
When to Give a Dog Treat
The best time to give a dog treat is when you want to reward them since most of them are motivated by food. Also, some dogs have the tendency to chew on furniture around the house. Hence you can offer them treats to change their habits.
Have a look at the different types of treats you can offer to your dog:
1. Dental Treats
These treats are helpful when it comes to your dog’s dental health as it makes their gums stronger and also reduce bad breath.
2. Training Treats
Training treats are small and can be broken easily into pieces making it a great way to reward your dog during training sessions.
3. Chew Treats
If you get the feeling that your dog is feeling bored, then keep them occupied with chew treats. Make sure that they are long-lasting, as this will also help to reduce destructive behavior.
4. Reward Treats
When your little pet accepts your command and does what he is asked to do, then give them a reward treat to encourage such behavior in the future.
Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. The fruit is filled with nutrients and vitamins that are beneficial for the health of your furry friend. And most of all, the fruit is delicious to eat and reasonable in price, making it all the more convenient to stock up on banana dog treats.
Bananas are non-toxic and safe to eat. But to be on the safe side, it’s better to talk to your vet about your dog’s health to determine whether giving them bananas would be a good idea. There might be possibilities of your pet having allergies that you are unaware of.
There are various ways in which you can give your dog bananas. You can try mashed bananas, sliced frozen banana treats, or even mix the fruit with other ingredients such as peanut butter or yogurt to make a healthy snack for your furry friend.
However, no matter how much your dog is fond of the fruit, offer them to them as a snack or treat rather than giving them to them as meals. Ask your vet about how many bananas your pet can be given every day because overfeeding them may cause health issues.
Why Do Dogs Like Bananas?
Dogs tend to seek pleasure in whatever they take part in, even if it is food. Since bananas are sand soft and mushy and contain three types of sugar called fructose, glucose, and sucrose, it makes the fruit even sweeter, which is just what dogs like.
How Many Bananas Are Safe For dogs?
Well, nothing too much is good for anyone, not even dogs. No matter how much they like bananas, make sure the fruit is not more than 10% a part of their regular diet. And it should be given to them as a treat rather than a meal.
If you have a large dog breed, then half a banana per day is just about safe for them. Whereas if your furry pet is teeny weeny, then try to restrict their banana consumption by offering them two slices per day.
When it comes to my golden retriever, I slice up the bananas and store them in the freezer to give her cold treats in summer, which you can try too for your pet
According to petMD, here is a breakdown of the general amount of bananas that is safe for dogs according to their weight:
| Size of Dog | Amount of Bananas they can eat per day | Example of Breeds |
| Extra-small dog (2-20lbs) | 1-2 slices of banana | Pugs, Chihuahuas |
| Small dog (21-30 lbs) | 2-3 slices of banana | Miniature Australian Shepherds, Basenjis |
| Medium dog (31-50 lbs) | 5-6 slices of banana | Australian Cattle Dogs, Basset Hounds |
| Large dog (51-90 lbs) | Handful of slices | German Shepherds, Pit Bulls |
| Extra-large dog (91+ lbs) | Half of a banana | Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands |
Do keep an eye out for the following symptoms if you think your dog has eaten too much banana with in terms of their size and weight:
- Fatigue
- Depressed
- Loss of appetite
- Licking their lips continuously
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you notice these symptoms, take your dog to the vet for immediate medical attention.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Peels?
No, dogs cannot eat banana peels as they contain harmful pesticides for your pet. Hence it would be best to be careful when giving them bananas; make sure they are peeled. The banana skin is hard to digest and can cause severe medical issues for your dog.
Although banana skin is not toxic for dogs, they are not easily digestible and can cause them to have intestinal blockage. This will prevent any liquids or solids from passing as the banana peels can block a part or all of your dog’s intestines.
If you think that your dog is suffering from intestinal blockage after swallowing a banana peel by accident, then contact the vet immediately. As they may have to carry out fluid therapy or surgery often needs to be performed to clear this type of blockage.
These are the symptoms of intestinal blockage you need to look out for in your dog:
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
Nutritional Benefits Of Bananas For Dogs
According to MetLife Pet insurance, banana dog treats have many health benefits which will help your furry friend to stay healthy and active.
Fiber
The fiber in bananas will help your pet to increase their weight and also improve their digestion.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is essential for your dogs as it keeps their hearts, kidneys, and muscles healthy. Making them more active and playful.
Vitamin C
If your pet catches a cold or flu, it is recommended to add bananas to their diet since Vitamin C can help to decrease inflammation.
Potassium
Bananas are a great way to give your dog the 20 mg of potassium they need daily, besides helping them with their bone health, muscle growth, and cognitive function. Bananas can aid your pet in healing faster if they are suffering from vomiting and diarrhea.
Benefits Of Banana Dog Treats
Bananas are a good source of energy and fiber for your dogs. Although feeding them too much can be harmful to their health, the fruit has many benefits, as given below
Can Be Digested Easily
Since dogs digest food quickly, it is advised to start by giving them small amounts of bananas to see if their stomachs can bear it.
Although homemade treats are less likely to cause indigestion and stomach issues. Because you can make sure that they are low in cholesterol and fat.
Bananas are filled with fiber that is nutritious for your dog that helps them to digest easily and carry out regular bowel movements preventing constipation.
Healthy Skin and Coat
Bananas are filled with several nutrients that can help your furry animal with its coat and skin. The fruit contains vitamin C, which promotes collagen production, and also gives your dog healthy skin.
The high levels of fiber in the fruit help with regular bowel movements that flush out toxins from your pup’s body, helping them to get healthier skin and coats.
Another element known as biotin bananas helps to prevent dry and itchy skin that is beneficial to maintain healthy coat growth.
Rich in Nutrients
Bananas contain many nutrients that, include vitamin potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6, which all aid in keeping your dog healthy. But since the fruit is high in carbohydrates and sugar, it should be offered to dogs who are not overweight.
When giving them bananas, remove the peel and chop it up into small slices to prevent choking.
Increases Energy Levels
Bananas are an excellent way to help your dog gain energy. The high levels of carbohydrates and potassium in the fruit help them to stay active. Making it easier for you to give them all the necessary training they need throughout the day.
And you can also offer them banana treats by incorporating them into the many different recipes we have mentioned below. But since the fruit contains a high level of calories, you should give it to them in moderation, even if they want more.
Can Help Reduce Anxiety
Although bananas are a great source of energy, at the same time, they can help your dog to relax and get rid of anxiety. The reason being the fruit contains an amino acid named tryptophan calms your dog down.
Risk Of Banana Treats For Dogs
Peels Are Harmful
Although banana peels are not toxic, they contain high levels of fiber. This could cause serious digestive issues for your pet, such as an intestinal blockage.
High Sugar Consumption
If your pup is offering for obesity or diabetes, then giving them bananas could be risky because bananas contain a lot of sugar. Before providing your pet bananas, talk to your vet to seek advice on the amount that should be given to your dog.
Allergies
There are possibilities that your dog may be allergic to bananas. Hence you should look-out for these symptoms when giving them bananas the first few times.
- Swelling
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Breathing problems
Green Bananas Must Be Avoided
It’s better to stick to ripe yellow bananas when it comes to your dog. This is because green bananas contain high levels of starch, which could be harmful to your furry friend and, as a result, cause problems in the digestive tract.
How To Add Bananas To A Dogs Diet
If you are confused regarding how to give your pup bananas, then you should have a talk with your vet. They will tell you the correct amount of bananas that is suitable for your dog according to their age, weight, dietary needs, and size.
Once you get all that sorted out, you can try to serve your pet bananas in the following ways:
Slices
Banana slices are the easiest way in which you can offer your furry animal bananas. All you have to do is remove the skin and slice the fruit, ensuring each slice is approximately ¼ inches.
For hot summer days, I keep the banana slices in the freezer to give to my dog as a refreshing treat which she absolutely loves
Mix bananas with other ingredients
How about giving the little furry animal some woofalicious homemade doggy ice cream in the summer? This banana dog treat is easy to make. Mash the bananas and mix with peanut butter and yogurt, then keep them in the freezer.
Mix bananas with oats and peanut butter
You can always try oven-baked treats for your dog. Mix mashed banana with oats and peanuts and cut them up to put in the oven.
To make life easier for you, we have provided the full recipe below for banana, oats, and peanut butter treats.
Mashed Bananas
Simply mash up the bananas and put them in your dog’s toy, according to the amount they can consume. You can always try freezing it and giving it to them as a cold snack.
Is Banana Chips Good For Dogs?
Yes, banana chips are good for dogs as long as they do not contain any artificial sweeteners. They are a healthy snack for your pup, carrying the exact nutrition values as whole bananas, which can be bought from stores or made at home.
Small dogs can be given a couple of chips. Medium-sized ones can have up to 10 chips at a time. Rather than giving your dog chips as a regular snack, it’s better to save them as a special treat to offer them on occasion or as a reward.
But since banana chips contain fiber, they may cause your dog to suffer from diarrhea if eaten too much. Hence limit the quantity according to their size and weight.
Can Dogs Be Given Banana Bread As Treats?
Yes, dogs can be given banana bread as treats since they are healthy and perfectly safe for your pet, but do limit the amount you give them. As the bread contains sugar, too much sweetness can be harmful to your pet’s health.
When giving your dog banana bread, do look out for any harmful ingredients such as nuts or raisins, which should be avoided as they are toxic and will make your pup ill.
Not to mention, since most bananas read include sugar, it’s recommended to give moderate amounts of it to your dog as an occasional snack or treat
Healthy Dog Treats
When it comes to my pup, I often experiment with her food by trying different methods to serve it to her. To be honest, my dog is a fussy eater and tends to go hungry if she sees the same food in her dog bowl for two consecutive days.
Here are three different ways in which I serve my pup bananas which are both healthy and fun to eat:
- Spreading sugar-free peanut butter on banana slices.
- Putting banana slices inside the Kong toy.
- Making her favorite homemade snack which is banana chips.
2 Ingredient Banana Dog Treats Recipes
Believe it or not, it only takes two ingredients to make your dog a healthy and yummy treat that includes bananas.
Banana And Applesauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups Uncooked Brown Rice /Oats
- 1 whole ripe mashed banana
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
Supplies Needed
- Oven
- Grinder/blender
- 2 large mixing bowls
- Silicone mold
- Mixing spoon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grind the brown rice or oats in the blender to create flour.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour you made with baking soda and stir well.
- Take another bowl and mix up apple sauce, coconut egg, and banana.
- Add all the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir till well so that there are no lumps left.
- Transfer the batter you made to a silicone mold, then bake for 15 minutes.
- Ensure you let the rates cool down after taking it out from the oven.
Banana And Oats Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 bananas that are medium in size
- 1 tablespoon full of chia seeds/flax seeds
- ½ cup oats
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Water/honey
Supplies Needed
- Food processor
- Measuring cup
- A large mixing bowl
- Cookie cutter
- Silicone baking mat
Instructions
- In the large mixing bowl, mash the 3 bananas.
- Take 2 ½ cups of oats and grind them in a food processor till it turns into flour.
- Place grounded oats in the large mixing bowl and add the remaining 1 cup of whole flaxseed and cinnamon.
- Mix all the ingredients together. If the mixture is too wet, then add some oats, and if dry, then add bananas, honey, or water. Make sure the dough doesn’t fall apart.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F
- On a clean surface, spread some flour and roll out the dough, which should be around ¼ in thickness.
- With a cookie cutter, cut out the shapes You want for your treats and let them sit on the silicone baking mat.
- Bake the treats for 15 minutes at 350F.
- After turning off the oven, leave the cookies inside for two hours to make the treats more crunchy. If you want soft cookies for your pet, then take them out after 15 minutes.
Bananas And Sweet Potato Balls
Ingredients
- A large egg
- 1 ¾ cups of rolled oats
- ½ medium banana
- 1 cup cooked sweet potato
Supplies Needed
- Food processor/blender
- Baking sheet
- Measuring cup
- Hand mixer
- Wooden spoon/ fork
- Mixing bowl
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grind 1 ½ cups of oats in a blender until it turns to flour
- In the mixing bowl, take the mashed bananas, egg, and sweet potato, then use a hand mixer to combine the ingredients together.
- To this mixture, add the ground oats and the remaining oats that are unground.
- With a tablespoon, scoop portions enough to make small balls.
- To make the balls more doggy-like, you can use a wooden spoon to create paw prints.
- Put the balls in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.
3 Ingredient Homemade Banana Dog Treats
Check out our recipes for 3 ingredient dog treats you can easily make.
1. Banana, Oats, And Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
1. 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2. 1 smashed large banana
3. ½ cup natural peanut butter
Equipment Needed
1. Blender
2. Cookie cutter
3. Baking sheet
4. A large mixing bowl
5. Fork
Process
1. Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
2. Blend the old-fashioned last until they turn to flour.
3. Take the peanut butter and ripe banana in a large mixing bowl and smash the ingredients properly.
4. Add the oat flour and combine the three ingredients together until the dough is thick.
5. Roll out the dough, then use a cookie cutter to cut it into shapes.
6. Bake the cookie dough for 15 minutes in the oven until the color is light brown.
2. Banana, Flour, And Egg
Ingredients
1. 1 medium banana
2. 1 egg
3. 1 cup flour
Supplies Needed
1. A medium bowl
2. Baking sheet
3. Tablespoon
4. Wire rack
Instructions
1.Preheat oven to 350°F
2. First, mash the banana in a medium bowl, then stir in the egg and flour and mix the ingredients together.
3. Make sure the dough is perfect in texture and consistency.
4. Take one tablespoon of the dough and place it on the baking sheet and press it down with a fork to form a cookie-like shape. Continue this process until the dough finishes.
5. Bake these until golden brown, which will take about 12-15 minutes.
6. Take it out of the oven and place it on wire racks before giving the treat to your dog.
Frozen Homemade Banana Dog Treats
Here are three frozen homemade dog recipes that both you and your four-legged furry animal can enjoy in the scorching sun on a summer’s day.
1.Frozen Banana and Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Ingredients
1.½ cup peanut butter
2. 4 bananas
Supplies Needed
1.Food processor
2. Plastic cups
Instructions
1.Peel the banana and slice it up.
2. Keep them in airtight containers and store them in the freezer.
3. Blend the frozen sliced bananas in a food processor until it turns to smooth banana ice cream.
4. Add peanut butter to the mixture and combine the two ingredients properly.
5. Pour the mixture into plastic cups and put them in the freezer.
2. Banana, Peanut Butter, And Blueberry Popsicles
Ingredients
1.½ cups washed blueberries
2.1 large banana
3.¼ cup peanut butter
Supplies Needed
1.Mixing bowl
2. Fork
3. Silicone molds
Instructions
1.In a large mixing bowl, mash the banana with a fork.
2. Add peanut butter and stir to mix the two ingredients properly.
3. Pour in the blueberries bit by bit.
4. Spoon out the mixture into silicone molds
5. Keep in the freezer for at least 8 hours for it to set.
3. Frozen Banana Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple
- 1 banana
- 1 ½ cups watermelon
Equipment
- Food processor /blender
- Silicone muffin pan (small)
- Cutting board
Instructions
- Cut the banana up into 24 pieces.
- Make watermelon puree in the blender and keep aside.
- Make pineapple puree in the blender.
- In the silicone mold, put inside one piece of banana in each well.
- Add two tablespoons of watermelon on top of the banana slice.
- Then add a single layer of pineapple puree.
- Place the silicone muffin mold in the freezer for 4 hours.
FAQs
Is a banana a good treat for a dog?
Yes, bananas are a good treat for dogs. The fruit is sweet, nutritious, and soft to eat, providing many health benefits for them.
Can dogs have bananas and peanut butter?
Yes, dogs can have bananas and peanut butter cookies, popsicles, or any other form only if they are not allergic to nuts.
Can I give my dog frozen bananas as a treat?
Yes, frozen bananas can be given to your dog as treats. But do defrost it before giving it to them.
Why can’t dogs eat banana peels?
Banana peels are hard for dogs to digest and can cause them to have intestinal blockages, which as a result, make it difficult for any solid or liquid to pass through.
Last Word
There you go. That’s all the information we can provide you with regarding banana dog treats. Although the fruit is healthy for your pup, giving them energy and helping them to gain weight, there are drawbacks, too, such as high sugar content, which could affect diabetic dogs.
Under no circumstance should you give your furry animal the banana skin, as the complications and risks that could lead to surgery. Even if you serve them a whole banana, peel it properly.
Oh yes, and be sure to try out our recipes for your dog, especially the frozen ones that will help them chill on a summer’s day.
Till then, let your pup enjoy woofalicious banana treats! I hope you find the article “Banana Dog Treats (All You Need To Know)” helpful.
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Bats Eating Bananas: Do Bats Like Bananas?
