Can Dogs Eat Bananas? How Much Is Safe, Peels and Treat Ideas
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. Plain, peeled banana is a safe treat for most dogs, but it is high in natural sugar, so give only a few small slices at a time and don’t make it an all-day snack.
Wondering about another food? Search 40+ human foods with our Can My Dog Eat It? checker.
Are bananas good for dogs?
Bananas can be a healthy treat when you feed them the right way:
- Potassium. Bananas are well known for potassium, a mineral that helps muscles and nerves work.
- Vitamins. They contain vitamin B6 and vitamin C.
- Fiber. Bananas have some fiber, which plays a role in digestion.
- Low in fat and salt. That makes a slice of banana a better choice than fatty or salty table scraps like bacon or chips.
The downside is sugar. A medium banana (about 7 to 8 inches long) has roughly 105 calories, and much of that comes from natural sugar. That is a lot for a small dog.
Your dog doesn’t need bananas. A complete and balanced dog food already gives them all the nutrients they need. Think of banana as an occasional “extra,” not a source of nutrition.
How much banana can a dog have?
Vets commonly recommend that treats make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. The other 90% should come from their regular, complete dog food. Banana counts toward that 10%, along with any other treats, chews and table food.
Here is a rough guide for plain, peeled banana as the only treat that day:
| Dog size | Example breeds | Banana per day (max) |
|---|---|---|
| Extra small (under 10 lb) | Chihuahua, Yorkie | 1–2 thin slices |
| Small (10–25 lb) | Beagle, Shih Tzu | 2–3 slices |
| Medium (25–50 lb) | Border Collie, Bulldog | About a quarter to a third of a banana |
| Large (50 lb and up) | Labrador, German Shepherd | Up to about half a banana |
These are only guides. Every dog’s calorie needs are different. For example, if your dog needs about 400 calories a day, their treat budget is about 40 calories. That’s well under half of a medium banana, if they get no other treats that day.
To find your dog’s exact daily calories, use our dog food calculator, then take 10% of that number. Our guide on how much to feed your dog explains the numbers in more detail.
Every day? A slice or two a day is fine for most healthy dogs inside that 10% budget, but because of the sugar, many owners keep banana to a few times a week. First time? Start with one small slice and watch your dog for the next day. Some dogs get gas or loose stools from new foods.
Can dogs eat banana peels?
No, always remove the peel. Banana peels are not poisonous to dogs, but they are tough, fibrous and hard to digest. A dog that eats a peel may have:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or an upset stomach
- Belly pain
- An intestinal blockage, if a large piece is swallowed
Blockages can be serious and sometimes need surgery. Throw peels away in a closed trash can, because many dogs will dig them out.
If your dog ate one small piece of peel, there’s usually no need to panic. Just watch for the warning signs in the vet section below.
Can puppies eat bananas?
Yes, in very small amounts, once your puppy is eating solid food. A tiny piece of peeled banana makes a soft, easy treat, and some owners use mashed banana in a chew toy during teething. Growing puppies need a complete puppy food for healthy development, so keep treats small. Our puppy weight calculator can help you track healthy growth.
Dogs with health problems: ask your vet first
Bananas are safe for most dogs, but talk to your vet before sharing them if your dog:
- Has diabetes. The natural sugar can make blood sugar harder to control.
- Has kidney disease. Some dogs with kidney or heart problems need their potassium watched. Your vet will know if banana fits their diet.
- Has had pancreatitis or has a sensitive stomach. Bananas are low in fat, but any new food can trigger an upset, and dogs on a special diet may need to skip treats.
- Is overweight. Every treat calorie counts. A slice of banana is better than most fatty snacks, but portions still matter.
Banana foods to avoid
Plain banana is safe. Many banana foods are not:
- Banana bread and muffins. These have added sugar and fat. Some recipes also include raisins (toxic to dogs, see our guide on why dogs can’t eat grapes), macadamia nuts, chocolate chips, or xylitol, a sweetener that is very toxic to dogs.
- Banana chips. Most store-bought chips are fried and sweetened, and the hard pieces can be a choking risk.
- Banana pudding and banana cream pie. Too much sugar, fat and dairy for dogs.
- Banana-flavored candy or yogurt. These may contain lots of sugar or xylitol. Always check the label.
Think your dog ate xylitol, raisins or chocolate? Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away (a fee may apply). For chocolate, our chocolate toxicity calculator can help you judge how serious it is while you call.
How to serve bananas to your dog
Always start with a ripe, plain banana with the peel removed. Then try one of these:
- Small slices or cubes: Cut pieces that match your dog’s size.
- Frozen slices: Freeze banana slices for a cool treat. Let them soften a little for small dogs or fast eaters.
- Mashed into food: Mash a spoonful of banana on top of your dog’s regular meal.
- Stuffed in a chew toy: Mix mashed banana with a little peanut butter, fill a stuffable toy and freeze it. Check that the peanut butter does not contain xylitol.
- With other safe fruits: A few blueberries, apple pieces (no seeds or core) or seedless watermelon make a nice fruit mix. Never add grapes or raisins.
When to call the vet
Most dogs that eat a little too much banana just get a mild upset stomach. But call your vet if your dog shows any of these signs, especially after eating a peel:
- Vomiting more than once, or trying to vomit with nothing coming up
- Diarrhea that lasts more than a day
- Belly pain, a swollen belly, or not wanting to be touched
- Not eating, or being unusually tired or weak
- Straining to poop or not pooping at all
These can be signs of an intestinal blockage, which is an emergency. If you’re not sure, it’s always better to call.
The bottom line
Bananas are a safe, tasty treat for most dogs. Peel the banana, give only a few small slices, and treat it as an occasional snack because of the sugar. Count it as part of your dog’s 10% treat budget, which you can work out with our dog food calculator. For other fruits and snacks, check our Can My Dog Eat It? tool.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat bananas every day?
A few small slices a day is fine for most healthy dogs, as long as all treats together stay under about 10% of your dog's daily calories. Because bananas are high in natural sugar, many owners keep them to a few times a week instead.
Can dogs eat banana peels?
No. Banana peels are not toxic, but they are tough and hard to digest. Eating a peel can cause vomiting or an upset stomach, and a large piece can cause an intestinal blockage. Always peel the banana first.
Can puppies eat bananas?
Yes, puppies that already eat solid food can have a tiny piece of plain, peeled banana as a treat. Start very small, because puppy stomachs upset easily, and keep most of their calories from a complete puppy food.
Can dogs eat banana bread?
It's best not to. Banana bread usually has added sugar and fat, and some recipes include raisins, walnuts, macadamia nuts, chocolate chips or xylitol, which can be harmful or toxic to dogs. Plain banana is the safer choice.
Are bananas good for dogs with diarrhea?
Bananas contain fiber, and some owners offer a little plain banana to dogs with a mild upset stomach. But too much banana can also cause loose stools. If diarrhea lasts more than a day, or your dog seems unwell, call your vet instead of treating it at home.
Sources
This guide is for general information and does not replace advice from your veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet, contact your vet. How we write our guides.
