Can Poodles Eat Bananas?

Can Poodles Eat Bananas?

One of the most terrifying things about owning a dog is knowing whether or not you are giving them the right food. While some typically human foods can be toxic to dogs, others can be good for them. Here, I will give you all you need to know before feeding your poodle a banana.

Can Poodles Eat Bananas?
Can Poodles Eat Bananas?

Poodles can eat bananas in moderation. Bananas are a healthy alternative to fatty treats. However, bananas should not be given to poodles frequently. Though they are not toxic, gastric problems and weight changes can occur when excessive amounts are given.

There are some guidelines you should follow in order to make sure they are still healthy and safe while eating a banana. If you want to learn more about this, then read on.

Can Dogs Eat Bananas? All the Fruits Your Pooch Can
Can Dogs Eat Bananas? All the Fruits Your Pooch Can

Feeding Your Poodle a Banana

The relief should set in right now if you have already fed your dog a banana and you were worried about his or her safety. There is no stress needed because bananas are not toxic to your poodle.

Bananas are not only acceptable to feed your dog, but they are actually recommended with proper usage.

The same things that cause bananas to be healthy to us as humans, applies to our dogs. Their bodies also respond well to healthy foods.

Bananas are used because of the vitamins and other essential elements that allow for us to be strong. This is why they have been recommended many times.

Bananas are not only acceptable to feed your dog, but they are actually recommended with proper usage. 

Although not every dog is guaranteed to love bananas, most dogs do. This is partly due to the fact that they love you and love receiving things from you, but it is also from the good taste of the bananas.

However, just like any other treat, you should not rely completely on feeding them bananas.

Just because bananas are healthy and not bad for them, does not mean that that should be their main food eaten. Continue feeding them their regular food.

Bananas can be used as a great alternative to treats. Some treats fed to our dogs are quite fatty and are basically the equivalent of our dessert.

Because I’m sure you do not want to be feeding your poodle dessert frequently, giving them an unhealthy lifestyle, bananas are a great treat.

However, as another important reminder, you do not want to overfeed your poodle bananas.

Things to watch out for

Bananas provide immense nutritional value for your poodle. But everything should be done in moderation – and bananas are no different.

Weight gain

  • Bananas are rich in sugar and contain substantial calorie units: 89 calories to be exact. Therefore, it’s important to control the amount you feed to your poodle.
  • Veterinarians advise owners to substitute high calories treats for bananas rather than feeding the high-calorie treats alongside bananas.
  • You may be wondering how many bananas are enough for your poodle. I address this below.

Diarrhea

  • This one is a doozy – bananas causing both constipation and diarrhea? It’s possible.
  • Bananas have significant amounts of insoluble fiber. Mixed with large amounts of water, this insoluble fiber may create loose stool which could become diarrhea. Again, moderation is the way to go as far as preventing diarrhea.

 Constipation

  • Bananas treat constipation in poodles, but they can also lead to constipation if you’re not careful. This is because the fiber in bananas may soak up water and lead to hard stool.
  • Of course, a simple solution is for poodles to drink enough water. However, since you can’t force your poodle to drink more water than he wants to, it’s better to control the intake of fiber; ergo, how many bananas he eats.

Decaying teeth

  • You’ll need to worry about this if you feed your poodle too many bananas too often without daily brushing.
  • This is because the high sugar content in bananas speeds up the decaying process in canines – just as happens in humans.
  • However, if you feed your poodle a controlled amount of bananas, even without daily brushing, you won’t have to worry about his teeth decaying. But brush his teeth daily anyway.

What about the banana peel?

The banana peel is not toxic to your dog. If your dog has already swallowed the banana peel, you do not have to worry too much.

But, the banana peel is extremely difficult for dogs to digest. So, it is definitely not recommended for your dog to eat.

Another thing that you should be watching out for when feeding your dog a banana is possible allergies.

Although bananas are healthy and can be eaten by dogs, it is not guaranteed to be good for every dog. Pay close attention to your poodle’s reaction to the banana, not just immediately after eating, but for some time after.

Some signs that you dog may have allergies to any food are:

  • Problems with the skin. If your dog’s skin becomes itchy or they get ear or foot infections, it may be an allergy.
  • Gastrointestinal problems: if your dog has diarrhea or vomiting soon after eating the banana, it may be an allergy.

The highest harm that could from your poodle eating a banana would come from giving the poodle too much.

Why Bananas are good for Poodles

As far as edible fruits go, the banana ranks as one of the best fruits for your poodle. In bananas, your poodle gets a natural source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and potassium. These nutrients are important:

  • Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant. Without going into animal biology, Vitamin C basically helps your poodleOpens in a new tab. to maintain the heat and energy to keep his body running. Although poodles produce Vitamin C by themselves, unlike humans, levels of Vitamin C can decrease when poodles are stressed or sick. Old poodles also become less capable of producing Vitamin C by themselves in their twilight years. Therefore, a banana can literally reinvigorate your poodleOpens in a new tab. in these moments.
  • Vitamin B6 helps your poodleOpens in a new tab. to synthesis protein which is required for proper growth. In addition, this nutrient helps to improve the mood of your poodle by increasing serotonin levels in his brain. Also, through melatonin, Vitamin B6 helps to regulate the sleeping habits of poodles.
  • Vitamin B7, also known as Biotin, is a nutrient that maintains healthy skin and hair for poodles. Therefore, this nutrient will help your poodle to keep a healthy coat.
  • Potassium helps to control your poodle’s nerve functioning, muscle activity, brain function, and heart function. Suffice to say, this nutrient is necessary for proper body functioning. Thankfully, bananas are a safe and cheap source of potassium.

In addition to the nutrients, bananas are good for poodles because they are easily digestible. Also, bananas are rich in fiber; which helps your poodle in maintaining regular bowel movements and treating constipation.

Now that we’ve determined that bananas can reinvigorate your poodle, improve his bodily functions, keep him looking fresh, and liven up his mood, are there some side effects of feeding bananas to your poodle? In some cases.

How Much Can I Feed my Poodle?

There are many options to how you could feed your poodle a banana.

You should never feed your poodle a full banana. The dog will eat it. But its system will not like the banana.

But, before we get into I would like to give some guidelines towards feeding your dog a banana.

Dog Size Banana per day
Toy or Mini 2 or 3 small pieces
Standard Half a Banana at most

Although this is not a strict rule made for feeding your poodle a banana, by following this guideline, your dog will be safe in eating a banana.

However, you should never feed your poodle a full banana. The dog will eat it. But its system will not like the banana.

A good rule to remember when feeding you dog a banana as a treat is the 90/10 rule.

This rule is that 90% of the food you give your dog should be their regular diet food. The other 10% can be reserved for treats for your dog.

With such a small amount of the banana given to your dog, it seems like a waste opening the banana right?

Wrong. The benefits of eating a banana are the same for you as they are for your dog.

How Can Poodles eat Bananas?

One way is to peel the banana and cut it into appropriate sizes for your poodle. You can also mash the banana in his food if the slices are intimidating.

Another way is to serve the bananas frozen. If you realize that your poodle is not into fresh bananas, this could be something to explore.

It will change the texture and temperature of this treat and might even seem like an entirely new treat to your poodle! Of course, the frozen banana treat is more suitable on hot days.

Banana Eating in Your Home

Now that you know that you can use bananas in your dog’s diet, there is a large number of options that are open to you.

Some of the most common uses of bananas in a dog’s diet are as follows:

  • Stuffed inside your dog’s toy
  • Mashed Bananas in regular food
  • Banana Chips
  • Mixed with peanut butter
  • Frozen slices
  • Treat recipes

My personal favorite uses of bananas in my dog’s diet are smearing the mushed up banana over its food.

Although my description may not have sounded extremely appealing, it gives more flavor and variety to your dog’s regular food.

For me, it feels like a mini gift.

If you find that your dog loves the taste of bananas, it may be a good option for you to use the banana to help them learn tricks.

The same rules apply to teaching them the tricks, however they will have more desire to obey when given a food that they love.

Of course there are many recipes of dog treats that you can make with bananas through recipes.

Have fun with your dog and reward them knowing that they are fine to eat bananas.

Final Thoughts

Bananas are good for poodles. These sugary treats will boost the health and mood of your poodle. Serve them with moderation though. Less than a banana may seem like a waste but it is well worth sparking your poodle’s taste buds once in a while.

Edward Hollon is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Edward has been writing for petdii for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Edward has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Edward knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.