Can Pitbulls Eat Bananas?

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Bananas are cheap, affordable, and yummy. But do they make healthy treats for Pitbulls? Can Pitbulls even eat bananas? 

Pitbulls can eat bananas. In fact, bananas can be a great source of carbohydrates, potassium, biotin, and other nutrients for your dog. However, they must be fed to your Pitbull in moderation, as too many carbs and calories can be harmful. Too many bananas can lead to constipation and diabetes. 

To learn more about whether or not bananas are good for dogs, continue reading. 

Are Bananas Good for Pitbulls? 

There are several reasons you might want to include a moderate amount of bananas in your Pitbull’s diet. Let’s go through the benefits of feeding your dog a diet that includes bananas. 

They Are Cheap

Bananas are incredibly affordable. You can pick up a bunch of bananas for just a few dollars in many groceries and supermarkets. If your dog does not end up eating the bananas, you can always eat them yourself, so they will not go to waste. Feeding your Pitbull does not have to be expensive. 

They Are Excellent Snacks

What if your Pitbull is hungry, but you ran out of dog food or don’t have any meat or chicken snacks lying around? Most homes have bananas. While you may not be feeding bananas to your dogs as a first option, they make for a great second option when there is nothing else available. 

They Are High in Nutrients

Bananas are high in nutrients that will keep your Pitbull healthy. For example, they have vitamin C. Also, they have a lot of potassium, which is essential in a dog’s diet. 

Bananas are also high in fiber, so they can help with digestion. If your dog does not get enough fiber in their diet, they may have digestion and gastrointestinal problems. Bananas are a great way to add fiber to your dog’s diet. 

They also have magnesium, which can help improve your dog’s bone health. Magnesium can help prevent fractures and breakages, and it may help prevent arthritis or stop an existing case of arthritis from getting worse. 

They Are Easy to Eat

Bananas are soft and mushy, unlike some other vegetables, which can be difficult for a Pitbull to eat. For example, broccoli and cauliflower are excellent additions to your Pitbull’s diet but can also pose a choking hazard due to the long stems and tiny parts in the florets.

However, bananas are easy to chop up into smaller pieces and are easy to chew and swallow due to their texture. 

They Are Tasty and Filling

Not every dog will enjoy the taste of bananas, but many dogs will. Bananas are tasty to humans, dogs, and other animals. Also, they are very filling and can easily complement any other meal. 

Can Bananas Be Bad for Your Pitbull? 

Yes. Although bananas are healthy in moderate amounts, too many bananas can lead to various problems. Let’s go through them. 

They Can Cause Constipation

Did you ever have constipation from eating too many bananas? Did your parents warn you from a young age to never eat more than two bananas a day?

There is a reason for this, and that is that bananas can cause constipation. Just like humans can get constipation from eating too many bananas, so can Pitbulls. This is mainly a problem with green bananas that are not yet fully ripe. 

When feeding your dog bananas, do not feed them bananas that are not yet ripe. At the same time, don’t feed them bananas that are too ripe and brown and mushy. 

They Can Cause Diarrhea and Dehydration

We mentioned that unripe bananas could cause constipation, but ripe bananas can also cause diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence. This is due to the high fiber content in bananas. Fiber helps draw water out of the body, leading to diarrhea. Eventually, this can lead to dehydration. 

They Can Lead to Diabetes

This is an indirect risk, but too many bananas can also lead to diabetes. This is because they have a lot of carbs and sugars. Although Pitbulls and other dogs do need carbs in their diet for energy, it is important not to overload them with carbs. In general, Pitbulls are healthy dogs, but it is best to stay on the safer side and limit their carb intake. 

They Can Cause an Allergic Reaction

Not all dogs can have bananas. Some may be allergic to it, so you might want to take your Pitbull to the vet to ensure that they are not allergic to bananas. 

How to give Your Bully Bananas

Let’s talk about incorporating bananas into your Pitbull’s diet. How can you prepare the bananas for consumption? How many bananas are too many? 

Serve Them With Protein

Now that we know that bananas are a good source of carbs and fiber, we can also figure out that it probably is not a good idea to feed your dog bananas with too many other carb and fiber sources. Instead, when you serve your dog bananas, use it as a substitute for whatever carb and fiber sources you were previously feeding your dog. 

For example, you can serve your dog bananas together with protein sources like meat and chicken. This way, your Pitbull will get a balanced diet that has protein, carbs, and fiber. The nutrients in the bananas will go great together with the iron and other nutrients in meat. 

Peel Your Bananas

This probably doesn’t have to be said, but if you were thinking of feeding the peel of the banana to your dog, don’t. Although banana peels won’t kill your Pitbull, and it may even enjoy the taste, it probably won’t sit well in its stomach. It is best to avoid feeding your Pitbull banana peels to avoid stomach problems. 

Cut and Freeze Them

Some dogs may not like the texture of regular bananas. That is okay because you can freeze them and cut them up into little frozen bits to change their texture. Your dog may enjoy an occasional frozen snack.

Start Small

Whenever feeding your Pitbull any new food item, it is best to start small. This way, you can see if your dog enjoys it or not. It is also a great way to check if your dog experiences any adverse reactions to bananas. By starting small, you can see if bananas cause an allergic reaction or gastrointestinal problems. 

Check for Adverse Reactions

If your dog experiences an adverse reaction to eating bananas or banana peels, take it to a vet. It is possible that there is nothing wrong and that your dog’s stomach is not used to bananas; it may be trying to deal with this new food. However, it can also mean that your dog may be allergic to bananas. As such, it is best to get a professional opinion. 

Keep It in Moderation

A banana should be more of an occasional treat than a staple in your Pitbull’s diet. As a general rule, treats should not exceed more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet. 

It is important to only feed your dog bananas as part of a healthy, balanced diet of high-quality dog food.

Dog Food Recommendation

If feeding your pitbull a raw diet of bananas is no longer on your to-do list, I have an article about the best dog food for bullies available. If you just want my top recommendation, here’s a commercial food that may work well for you.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Conclusion

Not only can dogs eat bananas, but they may be healthy in small amounts. You can serve them plain or frozen. However, don’t feed your dog too many bananas. 

Also, avoid feeding your Pitbull banana peels or unripe bananas, as these can cause adverse reactions, including vomiting and constipation. If you have any questions, always consult with your vet. 

Sources

• Dog Time: Can Dogs Eat Bananas
• Purina: Can Dogs Eat Bananas?