WHY ARE BANANAS GOOD FOR DOGS?

1.) Potassium: Aids Muscle and Blood Vessel Function

Bananas are rich in potassium. A medium-sized banana has 422 mg of potassium. Potassium is known for being rich in potash which is great for muscle, blood vessel function and muscle movement. Low levels of Potassium can cause irregular heartbeats, known as Arrhythmia.

A few slices of bananas will benefit your dog’s health and boost the inflow of nutrients in its body.

2.) Vitamin C: Rich in Antioxidant and Boosts Immune System

Vitamin C prevents cataracts, glaucoma, kennel cough, joint inflammation, arthritis and seasonal infections. It helps in the speedy recovery and boosts the immune system.

As the dogs grow older, they become less efficient in producing vitamin C. During old age, the dog needs supplements of Vitamin C and bananas are the best source of Vitamin C for dogs.

3) Vitamin B6: Regulates Blood Cell Function and Healthy Dog Brain

Vitamin B complex or Pyridoxine is an important nutrient for dogs. It is important for development and proper functioning of the brain. Pyridoxine enables the secretion of Melatonin that regulates our sleep cycle. Bananas, that are loaded with Vitamin B6, are the best source of nutrients for dogs. It will help in balancing your dog’s sleep cycle and normalise its sleeping habits.

Vitamin B6 is beneficial for old dogs. It helps in regulating the blood cell functions and produces healthy cells at a steady pace.

4) Biotin: For Healthy Dog Skin and Coat.

"My labradour’s coat was shinning within a month of feeding him bananas", says Priyanaka, a working professional and a dog owner.

Bananas contain lots of Vitamin B7, also known as Biotin. Biotin is a B complex vitamin that is responsible for healthy hair and skin. It gives your dog’s coat a healthy and natural shine. Apart from this, biotin also helps in ike maintaining healthy cardiovascular, metabolism, digestive and nerve function.

5) Magnesium: Bone Growth and Vitamin Absorption

Magnesium is vital for absorbing vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and potassium. Bananas are high in magnesium as one medium banana has 33mg. Puppies should be given bananas as it is beneficial for bone growth.

HOW SHOULD YOU FEED BANANAS TO YOUR DOG?

●      Pet owners sometimes go out of their way and feed too many bananas to their dogs. Remember, moderation is the key.  As much as bananas are beneficial for dogs, they shouldn’t be fed too often or as a meal replacement. They should only be used as a healthy snack that is served once in a while.

●      Bananas are low on cholesterol and sodium. This makes them a healthier treat option for dogs. Dog owners often serve “human snacks” to their dogs that can be high on fat, cholesterol and sugar, replacing these snacks with Banana treats is a great option.

●      Start with serving tiny slices of bananas. Don’t offer a full banana, just in case your dog doesn’t like the taste of it. This also ensures that your dog is not allergic to them.

●      Never serve the banana with the peel. You should still remove the peels as it has high fibre content which could cause constipation. The peel has a foul taste and smell that can deter your pet from eating the wholesome fruit.

THE GREEN BANANA Vs. THE RIPE BANANA.

Green bananas taste different than ripe, yellow bananas. This is because they both have different levels of fibre content, nutrients, sugar content, micronutrients etc. The texture also differs due to the following differences in their composition. These differences act as indicators and highlight the various benefits of the nutritional spectrum of the ripening banana. 

Here’s the Difference:

          GREEN BANANAS                                                   RIPE BANANAS

The ripening changes the health benefits of the banana and therefore, depending on the nutritional benefits that you seek for your dog, you can opt for either the green or the ripe bananas.

DIY BANANA SNACKS FOR YOU CANINE FRIEND

Here are some amazing banana dog recipes that are tried and tested. You can serve them fresh or store them up to a week

Prep Time: 25 Min    Cook Time: 30 Min

Ingredients:

1. 1 Egg
2. ½ Cup Wheat Germ
3. 1 Tablespoon Honey
4. ½  Cup Peanut Butter
5. 1 Cup Flour (you can opt for gluten-free alternatives too)
6. 1 Egg ( only the egg portion)
7. 2 Mashed Banana (ripe, spotted bananas)

Directions:

●      Grease the baking sheet with melted butter.

●      Preheat oven to 300 Degrees Fahrenheit or 150 Celsius.

●      Add 1 egg, ⅓ cup peanut butter, ½ cup mashed banana and honey into a bowl and stir well.

●      Add a ½ cup of wheat germ and 1 cup of flour together. Stir thoroughly to create the dough.

●      Knead the dough thoroughly to get rid of any lumps.

●      Roll the dough and cut it into the desired shape and size.

●      Place the pieces on the baking sheet and brush the top with the egg white.

●      Bake for roughly 30 minutes or until the top is dried or in a golden brown.

●      You dog treat is ready.

Bananas are a great option and alternative for processed snacks and boring dog treats. They are available all around the year, are loaded with health benefits, they inexpensive and you get to experiment with new dog recipes every week.

About me:

Harsh Arora is a proud father of four Flemish Giant Rabbit and a leopard gecko. Besides being a full-time dog father, he is a freelance content writer/blogger and an educationist, with more than 6 years experience in the field of content writing.