Every pet parent needs to be aware of what food its pets can binge on. One must have a complete list of veggies and fruits that a pet can hog on. Have you ever wondered whether its right to feed the pet a banana? Experts answer to this is ” yes”.
Is banana Good Food to Feed The Pooch?
Banana is a rich source of magnesium, potassium, Vitamin C and B6. This fruit is recommended by many vets over the dog treats that are salty and fatty and also as a medicine to overcome gastrointestinal disorders. The magnesium present in the banana not only aids in better bone growth but also helps the pet’s body to absorb vitamins and produce proteins. But one point that a pet parent needs to remember is that this fruit contains high sugar hence it needs to be fed in moderation.
Is The Peel of Banana Safe for The Dogs?
The peels of banana are not toxic to dogs but are very hard to digest and at times can cause blockage in the food pipe if consumed as whole or as pieces.
How Many Bananas Can Be Given to a Dog?
Consulting a vet is the right solution to know how many bananas can be fed to the pet based on their diet and weight. Experts recommend to look for the following signs while introducing the fruit into the pet’s diet:
- Allergies
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Weight changes.
As long as there are no side effects and the dog enjoys binging on it there are no issues in feeding the banana as a snack, not as an alternative for a whole meal.
How to Include The Banana in a Fido’s Diet?
Predominantly a peeled banana can be added to the pooches diet. The other ways it can be served include
- Mashing them and mix it with the dog’s normal food. The dog may like the sweet flavor of the food which can make it enjoy its food.
- Freeze the fruit, peel and cut it into pieces. Give a frozen banana as a treat on a very sunny day.
- Stuff the frozen fruit in a Kong or toy. This will not only aid in mentally stimulating it but will also help in some physical workout which will wade off boredom.
- The mashed banana can also be mixed with natural yogurt and served.
DIY Banana Dog Treat Recipes
The Internet is filled with many banana treat recipes that can be tried if the pet parents feel their dogs love to binge on this fruit. The following two recipes are the most common form of banana dog treat that is served to the loving canines.
#1. Cheesy peanut butter banana
Ingredients:
- A ripe banana
- A scoop of peanut butter without xylitol.
- A slice of mild cheese.
- A fillable toy like a Kong
How to make:
- Combine the banana, cheese, and peanut butter in a blender into a smooth paste.
- Smear it on the toy and freeze it or pour the smoothie in an ice cube tray and freeze it.
- Give the frozen toy or place the frozen cube in the dog toy and serve it.
#2. Balls or bars of mashed banana with egg and peanut.
Ingredients:
- A beaten egg.
- A peeled and mashed banana.
- Three tablespoons of peanut butter.
- One cup of oats or coconut flour.
- 2/3 cup of rolled oats or coconut flakes.
- 1/2 cup of dried parsley.
- One tablespoon of honey (optional).
How to make:
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and allow to sit for five minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
- Roll the prepared batter into balls or discs and set these on the baking tray lined with wax paper.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes and allow to cool once cooked.
- Store the treats in an airtight container in the fridge or freeze it and store and feed as required.
Source
- Can dogs eat bananas? By Liz Donovan. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-bananas/
- Can dogs eat bananas? https://www.chewy.com/petcentral/pet-parenting-diy-recipes-can-dogs-eat-bananas/
- Can dogs eat bananas? https://dogtime.com/dog-health/dog-food-dog-nutrition/58813-can-dogs-eat-bananas
- Can dogs eat bananas? https://www.purina.com/articles/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-bananas
