Let’s be honest; we all love banana bread. This tasty treat has lots of essential nutrients and we often are tempted to share the sweetness with our furry friends. But can dogs eat banana bread?
Yes, dogs can eat banana bread but only in small quantities. Banana bread is just as beneficial to dogs as it is to us. Only beware of what goes into it and avoid giving in to those pleading eyes of your pup to avoid issues like diarrhea.
In this article, we will be equipping you with everything you need to know about feeding your dog banana bread. We will start by examining what bananas do for dogs and whether or not dogs can eat bread. We will then provide information on what happens when your dog eats a loaf of banana bread. Finally, we will be keen to discover if it’s okay to offer your pet banana bread with chocolate, nuts, and more. I mean, you won’t be happy to miss this!
What Happens If My Dog Eat A Loaf Of Banana Bread?
If a dog eats a loaf of banana bread, what happens is that it causes gastrointestinal issues such as bloat and diarrhea. While banana bread is harmless in small quantities, plenty of it won’t settle gently on a dog’s tummy.
That’s why you should always keep your furry friend away from banana bread. But we all know that canines can get sneaky and that more often doesn’t end up well.
Your dog won’t die because of taking excess banana bread. However, if convinced that your pet feasted on the entire loaf, get in touch with the vet to recommend the way forward.
Symptoms of Eating A Loaf of Banana Bread
Your dog will usually experience mild to severe symptoms after eating a loaf of banana bread. The severity of the conditions depends on the size of the loaf. These symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Respiratory issues
- Coma
- Seizures
How Long Do These Symptoms Take To Appear?
Expect symptoms to appear a few minutes to hours after ingestion. No two dogs are the same; for some, you may not notice any signs at all, some will take hours for signs to appear, and others minutes.
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait to see whether others will manifest. It’s best not to take any chances as different dogs respond differently.
Where the bread wasn’t intended for dogs and therefore had some toxic ingredients, don’t wait to see any of the above signs. Things can worsen faster than anyone can think, so it’s best not to take any chances.
What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Banana Bread?
If your dog eats banana bread without your knowledge, you should visit the vet immediately after you come to know about it.
The dog doctor will perform several tests on your furry friend to determine toxicity levels and then recommend measures for managing the condition.
Banana bread is just as sweet and tasty to dogs as to humans, so with the opportunity to eat without limits, our innocent furry friends can have their fill. But keep in mind that they are ignorant of the consequences, so it’s up to you to keep it at bay.
What Does Banana Do For Dogs?
A banana does just as much for dogs as for humans. The low-calorie treat packs essential nutrients and minerals such as potassium, biotin, magnesium, copper, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fiber, and others, all beneficial to dogs’ overall health.
Potassium is responsible for your pup’s heart health. Biotin, also called vitamin B7 or vitamin H, plays a central role in multiple metabolic processes. Magnesium boosts bone health, while copper aids in the formation of red blood cells.
And when you notice that vet trips are becoming fewer, appreciate that vitamin C is at work! Of course, that’s without underrating the role fiber plays in their digestive health. I mean, everything a banana contains has its role in your pet’s health.
Why Do Most Vets Recommend Bananas For Dogs?
Most vets recommend bananas because they are rich in potassium but low in cholesterol and sodium contents. That makes them a healthy alternative to the salty and high-fat treats you will find in the market.
Therefore, if by any chance you were thinking of adding some healthy snacks to your dog’s menu, bananas should top that list. But just before that, let’s first know whether they have any side effects on dogs.
Can Bananas Make Dogs Sick?
Bananas will rarely make dogs sick if consumed in the correct amounts, no more than one whole banana for large dogs and ⅓ of a banana for smaller dogs. Too many bananas will cause dogs gastrointestinal issues, the exact of what happens with any other food.
However, if you can stick to the correct quantity, there isn’t much left to worry about when feeding your pet this treat.
Actually, the only remaining thing that could make your dog sick is if they are allergic to the treat. Unfortunately, we can’t attribute banana allergy to any dog breed.
You can only tell that your pet is allergic to bananas after they eat. That’s why it’s wise to offer bananas in small quantities the first time and keep a close eye on your pet for any side effects.
Do Bananas Give Dogs Diarrhea?
Yes, bananas give dogs diarrhea when given in large amounts, for example, more than three bananas every day. A good rule of thumb is that large dogs should not eat more than half a banana a day. Smaller breeds need less than that, which is just a few slices. Always stick to that to avoid any trouble!
Their huge appetites will often push them to ask you for more. But since you love your pet, always stick by your decision.
So, Are Bananas Bad For Dogs?
No, bananas are not bad for dogs. Sure, they can cause gastrointestinal problems, and as said, that’s what every other food will do when given to dogs in plenty. Therefore, singling out bananas as unsafe would be unfair.
Dogs eat many varieties of food. However, don’t be fooled by the wide scope of what they can consume; canines have delicate digestive systems that react to anything offered in excess.
How Much Banana Can A Dog Eat?
How much banana your dog can eat will depend on your pup’s size. Large and medium dog breeds need about half a banana a day. For the little furry friends, offer two to three small banana pieces a day.
For puppies and dogs with unique diet requirements, it’s best to consult with your vet on the amount. Again, you don’t have to give your canine banana daily. In fact, alternate it with other treats. Dogs also get bored!
Therefore, before we offer our pets banana bread, we already know that the “banana” part is safe for them. How about the “bread” part? Is it safe as well? Let’s find out!
Is It OK For Dogs To Eat Bread?
Yes, it’s okay for dogs to eat bread in moderation if they are not allergic to it. In much the same way with bananas, plain white and wheat bread won’t cause your dog any harm until taken in excess.
However, you need to double-check the list of ingredients to ascertain that the loaf doesn’t contain any toxic substances. Bread may go just fine with you but turn fatal when taken by your pet. So yes, always examine that list keenly.
What Bread Ingredients Are Toxic To Dogs?
Toxic bread ingredients include raisins, xylitol, macadamia nuts, and more. All these won’t cause any side effects to humans. However, they can cause mild to severe health issues in dogs, and at worst, death!
Bread from the store typically has at least one of these substances. If possible, prepare the bread yourself. That way, you can avoid everything you think isn’t safe for your pet. And when you opt for that, keep your dog from consuming the bread dough.
No Bread Dough, Though!
The bread dough of the very bread you are preparing for your pet will cause your pet trouble when ingested.
If you’ve baked bread at home, you definitely know that you have to work with a list of ingredients, including yeast. You probably also know that yeast will cause the dough to rise with exposure to heat.
Now, your dog’s stomach offers optimum conditions for the ingested dough to rise. That causes bloat. However, the real danger is when the rising dough releases some traces of ethanol into their bloodstream, leading to alcohol poisoning, technically called alcohol toxicosis.
Symptoms of alcohol toxicosis include;
- Elevated heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Seizures
- Coma
- Weakness
- Hypothermia
- Respiratory failure
- Vomiting
If you suspect that your dog has eaten bread dough and notice any of these symptoms, contact the vet immediately. However, if you are sure your pet ate it, don’t wait for the symptoms to manifest before you can call the vet.
How Much Bread Can A Dog Eat?
The amount of bread you can give your dog shouldn’t exceed 5% of their daily diet. Again, more like bananas, bread should be given as an occasional treat and not as their daily food.
Bread has high carbohydrate content, so plenty of it will over time make your dog obese. That opens doors to heart disease, hypertension, and other diseases. That’s certainly not what you want for your lovely Fido, so stick to the correct quantity.
There you have it; dogs can safely eat bananas and can also have bread and won’t harm them. So, what’s the big deal about combining the two? Only remember to keep it at moderate levels, as with any of the individual components.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread With Chocolate Chips?
No, dogs can’t eat banana bread with chocolate chips. Hence, the next time you prepare banana bread with some chocolate chips, don’t even allow your dog to get close to it.
So what’s harmful about chocolate? Now, chocolate has methylxanthines consisting of theobromine and caffeine. Theobromine is the most dominant toxin in chocolates, but they are all dangerous when consumed by your dog.
Methylxanthines cause death only when taken in large amounts. In fact, it’s unlikely that your dog will find enough of them in banana bread to cause death. However, don’t risk; even the seemingly small amounts can cause something big.
What Happens If My Dog Eats Banana Bread With Chocolate Chips?
If your dog eats banana bread with chocolate chips, what happens is much more the same as what proceeds after your pet drinks coffee. Keep in mind that, unlike humans, dogs can’t metabolize these two ingredients, and that’s what causes trouble in dogs.
Unfortunately, any chocolate will contain at least theobromine, so no chocolate is safe for dogs whatsoever. Banana bread with chocolate chips causes:
- Rapid heart rate
- Constricted blood vessels
- Increased urination
- Respiratory problems
- Stimulation of the central nervous system
Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread With Nuts?
It’s not advisable to let your dog eat banana bread with nuts. So again, it’s best not to give in to that thought.
Of course, not all nuts are toxic to dogs. In fact, it’s only macadamia nuts that are harmful to dogs. Others like almonds are a potential choking hazard. However, all nuts have a high amount of fats. Combining that with the high carbohydrate content in the bread, it’s generally not a good idea to offer dogs banana bread with nuts.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread With Walnuts?
Again, it’s not advisable for dogs to eat banana bread with walnuts and for several reasons! While they may not be toxic like the macadamia type, the dangers of giving your pup banana bread containing walnut outweigh the benefits.
Firstly, the high-fat content in walnuts is not safe for dogs. That alone puts the dog on the path to obesity and a series of other health complications. Also, a lot of fats can give canines diarrhea or make them vomit. Walnuts are also a potential choking hazard and will go to the extent of causing an internal blockage or even pancreatitis.
There you have it; your dog can have banana bread as an occasional treat. However, it should not exceed 5% of the recommended daily caloric intake. Again, avoid offering it alongside chocolate chips and nuts of whatsoever kind. Actually, it’s best to keep it plain.
