Can Bananas Help With Dog Diarrhea or Constipation?
Bananas have high fiber content, which can help with gastrointestinal issues in dogs. However, this is somewhat offset by their sugar content. Too much sugar (or fiber) can cause your dog to have diarrhea.
Typically, the fiber in the banana should help your dog have healthier bowel movements. However, too much fiber could cause constipation in dogs. Only give your dog bananas occasionally in small portions as a treat.
Carrots and pumpkin are also high in fiber and can help with your dog’s stomach upset. They both have more fiber and less sugar than bananas.
Between all three, pumpkin has the least sugar and the most fiber. This is why veterinarians often recommend canned pumpkin for dogs who have mild constipation.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Chips or Dried Bananas?
Dried banana chips are not recommended for several reasons. If not chewed, they can absorb water, swell, and cause an obstruction that could even need to be removed surgically.
In addition, banana chips purchased from the store often contain unwanted preservatives and high levels of sugar.
If you happen to drop a piece of banana bread on the floor, and your pup scoops it up before you do, double-check the ingredients list. Banana bread could contain things like raisins, xylitol, or nutmeg—which are all toxic to dogs.
If your dog accidentally eats banana bread that contains any harmful ingredients—or you’re unsure of the ingredients—contact your veterinarian immediately.
If you’ve made the banana bread at home and you’re sure there are no toxic ingredients, your dog should be fine. But remember that sweet treats like this usually have a high sugar content, which can upset your dog’s stomach. So it’s not the best choice as a dog treat.
Banana pudding should be avoided. Pudding has a high sugar content, preservatives, and possibly other ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Again, if your dog ate some banana pudding, it’s always safest to contact your veterinarian for advice.
Giving your dog an entire frozen banana would be dangerous, both because the serving is too large—which may upset their stomach—and because it could be swallowed and cause an intestinal blockage.
However, mashing up a little bit of the banana, putting it in your dog’s KONG toy, and then freezing it can be a delicious and entertaining treat for your pup.
Health benefits of bananas for dogs
Bananas provide excellent sources of essential vitamins and nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and Vitamin C, supporting your dog’s overall health. They are high in fiber and low in fat and cholesterol, which is more than we can say about many packaged treats that contain excessive fats or preservatives.
Are bananas good for dogs upset stomach?
Dogs that have diarrhea problems may benefit from being fed food that are high in fiber. It just so happens that bananas are rich in fiber with 100 grams of bananas containing up to 2.6 grams in dietary fiber. Diarrhea issues can be reduced as fiber helps the food move along the dog’s intestinal tract.
Aside from the fiber content, banana is also beneficial in that it contains a variety of important nutrients including vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. Each of these nutrients play an important role in maintaining bodily functions.
Despite these benefits, you do need to be careful with the amount of banana you serve to a dog that’s suffering from diarrhea. Banana is known for having a relatively high sugar content so it may make the diarrhea symptoms worse if a dog is allowed to eat too many bananas in one sitting.
You should also not serve bananas if this will be the first time a dog will be eating it. One common reason dogs have diarrhea is due to the introduction of new food. The ingestion of banana may make the diarrhea problems worse if the dog hasn’t tried it before.
Instead of bananas, it may be a better option to serve your dog food that’s bland and easily digestible, such as plain, boiled chicken and rice.