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Highlights:
Bananas are a nutrient-dense snack you can offer your dog.
While bananas offer some nutritious benefits, you’ll want to avoid giving your dog bananas frequently and opt for other treats instead.
Giving your dog Yummy Combs® is a great way to offer your dog a delicious, healthful treat that also benefits their oral health.
You’ve just peeled a perfectly ripe banana when you notice those longing, loving eyes peering up at you. Your dog would love to have a bit of practically anything you’re eating, but giving your dog people food can have potential dangers. Some human food ingredients, like Xylitol, for instance, can be toxic for your pup.
But are bananas good for dogs? Bananas are safe for dogs, but there are a few guidelines to follow if you want to share your mid-morning banana snack with your pet.
Dogs have differing dietary needs and digestive systems. In addition, they don’t have the ability to care for their teeth and gums like humans do. Anything they eat will likely sit on their teeth until they are brushed by their owner — if their owner is brushing their teeth at all.
The team at Yummy Combs knows a thing or two about dogs, their teeth, and the treats that are safe to give them. We’ll explain what benefits bananas can have for your dog, how much and how frequently you can offer them, and how you can keep their teeth clean after they enjoy them.
Although your dog’s digestive system is different from yours, it does produce an important enzyme called amylase. This enzyme is needed to break down carbohydrates found in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains. Unlike dog’s ancient ancestors, this little enzyme allows domesticated dogs to enjoy some of the same foods we do.
There are nutrients inside bananas that can promote your dog’s wellness.
These ingredients get a big “paws up” from your pet and their veterinarian, but that doesn’t mean you should start replacing their dog food with mashed bananas every day. Some ingredients in bananas are only safe for your dog in small amounts.
Your dog might love bananas, but too many can cause them to gain weight and or give them an upset stomach. Bananas contain a high level of natural sugar. Dogs do not need to eat any sugar to support their diets.
One banana can contain about 15 grams of sugar or the equivalent of about two teaspoons of sugar. That’s a lot of sugar, especially for smaller breeds. Due to the high sugar content of bananas, offering them too often could lead to negative health outcomes for your dog, like weight gain or diabetes.
Bananas are also rich in fiber. While fiber content will offer some protective benefits for your dog’s digestive tract, too much fiber will likely give them gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, and/or vomiting.
If you’d like to give your dog bananas, doing so in moderation is the best option. Keep in mind that you will be using banana slices as dog treats, not the primary ingredient of your dog’s diet. With that in mind, a good rule of thumb is to limit dog treats and healthy snacks to 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
For small dogs, this would equate to small quantities of bananas, like one to two slices of banana per day. For larger breeds, you may be able to offer a quarter of a banana as an occasional treat, but remember to reduce their kibble by the amount of banana dog treats you offer. Reducing their kibble intake will ensure that they don’t experience weight gain when you feed bananas as a treat.
Remember that even large breeds have different dietary needs than humans. Dog owners often fail to realize that a small amount of new food can have a dramatic impact on their dogs.
It’s probably going to be very obvious if your dog likes a healthy treat you offer them. Start by offering small pieces of banana to your dog. If you are using bananas as training treats, you’ll want to offer only small bits.
If your dog doesn’t like bananas, that doesn’t mean fruit is off the table. You can always try blueberries or small slices of apple to see if they like those more. You’ll still be giving them a fresh, healthy snack with many of the same nutrients.
Most banana chips are made with oil and sugar and deep-fried to make them crunchy. These ingredients don’t make a great treat for your dog. Not to mention, if your dog gulps the chips, they could present a choking hazard.
Banana chips that are baked or dehydrated can be options, but keep in mind that dehydrated fruit will collect water in the intestines and expand. Giving too much to your dog could cause dehydration or an intestinal blockage.
Dehydrated, baked, and fried banana chips will also have a higher concentration of fiber than a peeled banana, which could result in an upset tummy.
Some dogs will eat practically anything, including the peel right off of a banana. Banana peels aren’t necessarily unhealthy for dogs, but they are absolutely jam-packed with fiber and are practically guaranteed to give your dog an upset stomach. Instead, peel the banana, cut it into small slices, and offer those to your dog.
Banana bread that is made for human consumption contains added sugar that isn’t great for your dog. There are numerous dog-safe banana bread recipes available online, but make sure you still remember that the snacks you offer your dog should be occasional treats and not the majority of their diet.
Low-calorie treats are best for your pet because they don’t place your dog at as high of a risk of weight gain. Smaller dog breeds will need even lower-calorie treats because they are prone to weight gain.
The natural sugar in bananas can cause tooth decay in your dog’s teeth. Unfortunately, tooth decay and gum disease in dogs is a common problem. Approximately 80% of dogs over age three have some degree of gum disease, but only about 30% of their owners know about it.
When your dog eats food, the bacteria and sugar mix with saliva in their mouth to form plaque. This plaque clings to their teeth and can form tartar around the gumline. This is problematic because tartar can lead to gum disease. Gum disease that is left untreated can cause systemic illness in your dog that even leads to organ failure.
If you’d like to opt for a treat that is healthy and promotes better oral hygiene, we’ve got a solution.
Yummy Combs dental treats are safe and nutritious and work to remove up to 25% of tartar from your dog’s teeth. Research shows that dogs who consume Yummy Combs daily have better oral health, less tartar, and neutral breath. The secret lies in our design and ingredients.
We combine a unique shape that deters gulping with thin walls that floss between your dog’s teeth. Special ingredients help our treats dissolve quickly to help keep our treats safe for your dog’s throat and intestines.
Not only do Yummy Combs taste delicious, but they’re also packed with whole ingredients, like 44% chicken protein and 12 wellness ingredients. You can feel good about giving your Dog Yummy Combs because they check all the nutritional boxes your dog needs.
Bananas are a good option for an occasional treat, but their sugar and fiber content make them an offering you’ll only want to give your dog sporadically. For daily rewards, Yummy Combs are the dental treats that keep your dog’s mouth and tummy healthy.
Sources:
7 Vitamins Your Dog Needs For a Healthy Life | American Kennel Club.org
20 Dog Breeds Prone to Being Overweight and How to Avoid it | Newsweek
Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs | ScienceDirect
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Always feed the right treat size for your dog’s weight category. Always supervise your dog when feeding treats. This product is an adult only dog treat. Always provide ample fresh water for your dog.
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