Can german shepherds eat bananas? When you’re looking for a healthy snack it can be hard to know what to get. After all, there are some things we can eat that dogs can’t.
In this article not only are you going to have the question answered, but you’ll also find out why bananas are good and bad, and the best ways to feed them to your german shepherd!
So keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
Can German Shepherds Eat Bananas?
German shepherds can eat bananas, and when added as part of a balanced diet, they can be a fantastic treat!
Just remember, while bananas are a great treat, and they’re full of nutrients, they should only be given to them in moderation. If you feed them to your pup too often, there are going to be negative consequences!
Why Are Bananas Good For German Shepherds?
Like all fruit, bananas are full of nutrients that will benefit your german shepherd in a number of ways. Potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Magnesium and Fiber can all be found in a banana!
Every vitamin and mineral in a banana is going to keep your dog healthy! And here’s what they all do.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is going to increase the number of antibodies in your german shepherd. This helps keep them healthy; by improving their immune system and reducing the chances of them becoming sick.
It can also increase the amount of interferon in your german shepherd’s body. Interferon is what helps fight cancer, so adding more vitamin C can reduce the risk of your german shepherd getting the horrible disease.
It’s also going to act as an antioxidant. This means it will help stop your german shepherd’s cells from degenerating.
Vitamin E is great at improving the condition of your pup’s coat and skin. Without vitamin E, they’re more likely to get rashes, dandruff, and other skin conditions.
It’s also another antioxidant that will help your german shepherds cells from degenerating.
It’s also going to help your pup’s eyesight from degenerating.
And if you’re trying to breed your dog, it can also improve a male dog’s fertility! (Source)
Vitamin B6
If your dog has an insulin resistance then Vitamin B6 will help their body manage diabetes and other blood sugar diseases, by helping to stabilize their blood sugar levels.
It’s also going to help your german shepherd absorb the fat and protein in their diet!
Vitamin B6 also helps red blood cell production.
Lastly, it helps your german shepherd to maintain normal brain function as well!
Fiber helps prevent bad bacteria in your german shepherd’s tummy by fermenting fatty acids which they hate.
Some types of fiber also slow your dog’s metabolism. This is particularly helpful for dogs with diabetes as it keeps their blood sugar levels more controlled.
Fiber keeps your pup fuller for longer. If you’ve got an overweight dog then fiber is a great way of helping them lose weight, but not causing them to be hungry.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Bananas?
While bananas have many great benefits, they’re not all good. Just like everything, they’re best fed to your pup in moderation. If you give them too many banana’s there may be some negative consequences.
Some of the problems that can arise from giving your german shepherd to many bananas are the following.
A Lot Of Sugar
Bananas and all fruit contain a lot of sugar. If you’re feeding your german shepherd too many bananas then they may end up gaining weight.
They can also be particularly dangerous to dogs with diabetes. If they have too much sugar it could lead to a diabetic fit.
Too Much Fiber
While some fiber is good for your german shepherd, too much can be bad. If you feed your german shepherd too many bananas then they could end up becoming constipated.
Constipation is going to be extremely uncomfortable for your dog and in rare circumstances could end up becoming worse.
Too Much Potassium
We all know that too much potassium is dangerous for humans, but it’s also dangerous to dogs. Too much potassium causes hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia causes all sorts of heart problems and in some cases, it can also be fatal.
Your German Shepherd Could Be Allergic
In some rare instances, german shepherds can also be allergic to bananas. If you notice any of the following symptoms after they eat a banana then you should take them to the vets.
Hives
Difficulty breathing
Sneezing
Coughing
Swelling
These are the most common symptoms but any strange symptoms should be a vet trip.
What’s The Best Way To Give Your German Shepherd A Banana?
If you’re going to give your german shepherd a banana, it may not be a good idea to just open it up and feed it to them.
After all, they may have an allergic reaction, and even if they don’t, it could affect their stomach later on. (If your german shepherd has a consistent diet a big change could upset their tummy.)
First of all, make sure you remove the skin. It’s not toxic, but it’s very hard to digest. If your german shepherd does eat it, don’t panic. Just remember, they may be in discomfort later on.
As well as removing the skin, cut the banana up into slices and only give them a couple of slices at first. The more used to bananas they are, the more you can begin to give them.
And of course, if you’re not sure whether your german shepherd can eat banana’s or not, always consult your vet first.
How Often Should You Feed a German Shepherd Bananas?
The MOST you should feed your german shepherd is a banana a day. However, due to weight gain issues, it’s normally best to only feed them half a banana a day or less.
A good rule of thumb to follow is 90% healthy meals 10% treat. Even though bananas have some great benefits, they are still a treat and you should treat them as such.
And remember, start small and work your way up. Don’t give your german shepherd a whole banana at once!
How To Feed Them Bananas?
You don’t just have to give your german shepherd banana slices. If you do this too much it can quickly become boring for your dog. However, if you mix things up a bit you can keep their diet fresh.
Some great ways to feed your dog bananas are the following.
Freezing Them
Freezing bananas is a great way to change the treat into a nice summer treat. It’s going to be even more refreshing on a hot day.
And if you have a german shepherd puppy that’s teething it’s also going to help soothe their mouth! (Find out more about german shepherd puppy teething.)
Stir Them Into Your Dogs Food
If you want to spice the mealtime up a bit why not cut them into small parts and add them to your pups meals!
This is going to add some brand new flavor which they’ll absolutely love.
Jam Them In Their Kong
Bananas are great because they’re easy to get into a kong, but hard to get out. And that’s exactly what you want when you’re keeping your german shepherd entertained when you’re not there.
However, just remember if you do add bananas to their kong you’re going to need to wash it out every once in a while.
Can German Shepherds Eat Banana Chips?
You can feed your german shepherds banana chips. However, it does depend on the type. Anything that’s processed or deep-fried is best avoided. However, if you have dehydrated banana chips they’re going to be an excellent snack!
What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats Too Many Bananas
If your dog for whatever reason has too many bananas, then you should seek the help of a vet immediately.
Eating too many bananas can be fatal for dogs. If you notice signs of discomfort such as whining, panting, dilated pupils, etc, then a vet is the best course of action.
BONUS: Delicious Tasty Treat Recipe
Lastly, if you really want to spoil your german shepherd, here’s a delicious recipe you can make for your german shepherd.
Frozen Banana Peanut Butter Mash
2 Bananas
3 Tsp Peanut Butter
To make banana peanut butter mash, simply mash up two bananas in a bowl. Once they’ve been mashed up successfully, add 3 teaspoons of peanut butter.
At this point, it’s best to use your hands to mash the peanut butter and bananas together.
Once they’ve been mashed together enough, roll them into balls and put them in the freezer. You can then use them as a treat for your pup every time they’ve been good!
(And don’t worry peanut butter is fine for your dog in small amounts.)
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
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And in most cases it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
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Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
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Recap
Now you know bananas can be a fantastic treat to give your german shepherd! When used in moderation they can be the perfect accompaniment to any diet.
Here are a few of the main things to remember.
Bananas are great because they contain vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Potassium and Fiber.
However, be cautious as they can often cause your german shepherd to get too much sugar, fiber, and potassium, and they may also be allergic.
Don’t feed your german shepherd more than 1 banana a day, and when you first introduce them to their diet, only give them a couple of slices.
If your dog eats too many bananas seek medical attention.
And lastly, if you liked this article make sure you leave a comment below. Otherwise, have a great day!
