Last Updated on November 5, 2023 by Linda Richard
Here’s one treat that definitely doesn’t sound like it should be “OK” for pets but just might be. Can dogs have banana bread or is it toxic for them?
The short answer may surprise you but it’s that, usually – yes. The longer answer, however, is more complicated. To delve a bit further into the specifics, read on below.
Table of Contents
Can Dogs Have Banana Bread?
In a lot of cases, dogs can indeed have banana bread. Assuming that your canine pet doesn’t have any nasty allergies, there isn’t anything outright toxic in neither bananas nor plain white bread. Of course, there’s sugar in both the fruit and – usually – the bred treat, but that’s only toxic out of moderation (or for sick and diabetic dogs).
The problem with the “Can dogs have banana bread?” question is that banana bread can be made with various ingredients. There are different types of bread, there are many nuts and dried fruits that can be added to the recipe, and so on, and so forth.
So, while it’s true that dogs can have banana bread, we really need to go over each specific ingredient to figure out if this treat is OK for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
Most dogs can indeed eat bananas. These fruits aren’t toxic in any way for canines and they are also rich in potassium, fiber, copper, and vitamins. They are also rich in sugar, of course, which is why giving your dog more than a couple or a few pieces is not advisable. However, a little bit of banana every other day should present no danger for a healthy dog.
Can Dogs Have Banana Peels?
Banana peels aren’t toxic for dogs but they are a problem to digest. Banana peels are likely to cause blockages in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract which can be quite a problem. So, not only should you not give your dog banana pieces with the peels on but you should also avoid leaving whole bananas lying around in the kitchen.
Why Is Banana Bread Bad For Dogs?
While neither plain bread nor bananas are technically and immediately bad for dogs, there are a few ways this treat can lead to problems:
- If the bread contains some additional ingredients that are toxic
- If your dog is allergic to wheat
- In case your dog overeats
- Regular treats can lead to too much sugar intake
So, let’s go over each of those potential problems one by one.
Does Your Dog Have Wheat Allergies? How About Grain Sensitivity?
People often talk about gluten in our diets. However, many people forget that dogs too can have wheat allergies and grain sensitivity. Giving your dog any type of bread of wheat treat can trigger its allergies leading to symptoms such as itchy skin, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, inflammations, sneezing, breathing difficulties, seizures, and more.
To avoid this, always consult with your vet ahead of time before giving your dog a new type of treat. Or, at the very least, start with small quantities and watch out for allergies’ symptoms.
Watch Out For Raisins and Chocolate!
Many commercial or homemade banana bread recipes include additional dried fruits. While great for us, this can be very dangerous for canines. Raisins, in particular, are extremely toxic for dogs as are all grapes. Another major danger is chocolate which people also often add to banana bread.
Watch Out For Nuts Too!
Another common ingredient in this treat is nuts. While some nuts such as walnuts are relatively safe for dogs, many others are extremely dangerous and toxic. The biggest offender here are macadamia nuts. However, the safest approach is to just make sure there are no nuts whatsoever in any of your dog’s foods.
Can Dogs Have Banana Bread Regularly As A Nutritional Part Of Their Diet?
Even if the banana bread is devoid of any toxic ingredients, it will still have sugar. You can make sure not to add any extra sugar and you should avoid all other chemicals as well, but even then the treat will have the sugar from the bananas themselves.
Sugar can be dangerous for dogs with certain health problems even in the smallest of quantities. However, even if your dog is healthy, overeating with sugar can be pretty unfortunate.
What Are The Potential Side Effects Of Banana Bread?
If your dog is healthy, you should mostly look out for these few simple problems:
In addition to the short-term risks, regular and considerable sugar intake can also have some disastrous long-term health effects for your dog. These can seem obvious but a lot of people still ignore them:
How Much Banana Bread Is Too Much?
This will depend on your dog’s size and health so you should always consult with your vet about the exact quantities. As a rule of thumb, we’d generally recommend:
- 1-2 pieces a couple of days a week for small and healthy dogs
- 3-4 pieces a couple of days a week for large and healthy dogs
- None whatsoever for dogs with certain health problems
What To Do If Your Dog Has Eaten Too Much Banana Bread?
You should always call your vet as soon as possible when you notice even the mildest symptom. This applies to every situation after you’ve given your dog a new type of food. Don’t wait for the diarrhea or the vomiting – if you see any change in your dog’s behavior such as panting, whining, licking its paws or anus excessively, and so on, just call your vet.
Read more about Are Mangoеs Good For Dogs Or Are They Toxic?
So, Can Dogs Have Banana Bread, Or Is It Just Too Risky?
If your dog is healthy and if the bread doesn’t include any toxic ingredients (nuts, chocolate, raisings, colorants, and other chemical additives, etc), then you should have no problem giving your dog a piece or two as a treat. Many dogs love sweat flour treats so these can make for fantastic training or reward treats. However, they should never be a major part of a dog’s diet, even if the dog is healthy overall.
Read more about: Can Dogs Have Marshmallows – Are They Toxic Or “Just” Unhealthy?
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