Banana bread is something I enjoy on a regular basis, and I remember how my mom used to bake banana bread when I was a kid. It tastes great and it is a healthy snack.
But what about our furry friends? Can dogs eat banana bread, and is it safe for them to do so?
Yes, dogs can eat banana bread as an occasional treat because it contains all the healthy elements associated with bananas such as potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and fiber. With that said, you need to make sure that you give your dog the right type of banana bread that is free from sugar, salt, spices, herbs, and other ingredients such as nuts that are dangerous for dogs to consume.
Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
Yes, bananas are safe for dogs to eat because they are rich in potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and fiber. Dogs should be given bananas in moderation because due to their sugar content, they can cause an upset stomach, tooth decay, weight gain, and diabetes in dogs when consumed in large amounts.
It is very important to note though that you need to peel the banana before giving it to your dog because banana peels can cause abdominal pain and blockage, and this can make your furry friend very sick.
The Risks Of Feeding Your Dog Banana Bread
While banana bread, for the most part, is safe for dogs to eat, there are a few things that you need to be aware of when giving your furry friend this delicious treat.
Let’s have a look at them.
Upset Stomach
When you do your research on what dogs can and can not eat, you will often hear people saying that moderation is key when feeding your dog certain “human” foods.
This is the case with banana bread as well.
It needs to be given to your dog as an occasional treat and not part of his normal diet, otherwise, it can be detrimental to your dog’s health.
Toxic Ingredients
It is also worth noting that certain brands of banana bread that you buy from the local grocery store can contain ingredients that are not safe for dogs to consume. This includes nuts, xylitol, chocolate, and raisins.
Weight Gain
Bananas contain a lot of sugar, and when your dog consumes a lot of bananas on a regular basis then he will gain weight. This is the same for banana bread as well.
In addition to causing an upset stomach, feeding your dog too much banana bread can cause weight gain which is not healthy for your furry friend.
The Best Banana Bread For Dogs To Eat
I briefly mentioned the ingredients that are often found in various brands of banana bread that you buy from the store. These include nuts, xylitol, chocolate, and raisins and they can be harmful to dogs when consumed.
So, the absolute best banana bread that you can give to your dog is homemade banana bread.
If baking is not your thing (it’s definitely not my thing), then you can check with your local bakery if they have banana bread made with only the following ingredients:
- Bananas
- Whole Wheat Flour
- Eggs
- Baking Powder
- Milk
- Honey
You’ll notice that I included honey in the list above. This can be replaced with any natural sweetener, as long as it is not xylitol. This ingredient is toxic to dogs and is often found in sugar-free products.
Conclusion
As you can see, banana bread is safe for dogs to eat but you need to make sure that it is free from ingredients such as sugar, salt, spices, herbs, and other ingredients such as nuts. These ingredients can be harmful to your pup’s health when consumed.
Banana bread that you buy from the local grocery store can often contain these ingredients, so you need to make an effort to find banana bread that does not contain these ingredients or you can bake it yourself.
If all else fails, then you can just give your dog a few slices of banana occasionally, or you can even opt for banana chips.
Finally, giving banana bread to your dog should be an occasional thing because feeding him banana bread on a regular basis can lead to an upset stomach or even weight gain.
