Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread? We Ask the Experts!

By: Andrew
Time to read: 8 min.

This post contains affiliate links.

We love our canines, but sometimes they get into things they shouldn’t; or sometimes, we can’t resist their sweet puppy dog eyes, and we slip them a little bit of our snack. What do these modest indiscretions mean for the health of our best friends?

Dogs can eat banana bread in small amounts. A few bites are no cause for concern, but he should not eat banana bread regularly. It has unhealthy and occasionally dangerous ingredients that our canine companions best avoid. However, bananas on their own make an excellent treat.

If you are reading this because your dog accidentally ate a slice of banana bread, then there is no reason to panic. This article will break down the main ingredients of banana bread to determine the good and the bad, but we will also share the main ingredients they should avoid and some fun alternatives for your pup.

Table of Contents

A Breakdown of the Ingredients

If you sneak your dog a couple of bites of banana bread here and there, it will not be harmful to him. We have broken down the primary banana bread ingredients into two categories – good and not so good.

The Good

A couple of ingredients in banana bread add great nutritional value to your dog’s diet. Continue reading for my list of “Good” ingredients.

Bananas

Bananas are arguably the most essential ingredients in banana bread. They are also an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients for your pet. Some vets might even recommend them as a treat. Bananas are high in nutrients such as potassium, fiber, magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, which can support digestion, bone growth, and many other vital processes for your pet.

Eggs

Eggs are an excellent source of protein for humans and dogs alike. As the binding agent in many baked goods, eggs make it on the “Good” list for banana bread ingredients. They are also a good source of amino acids and fatty acids. Salmonella poses a slight risk in uncooked eggs, but fortunately, that is not a concern in banana bread. However, keep this in mind if you want to feed your dog eggs as a treat.

The Not So Good

Unfortunately, two primary ingredients in banana bread should be avoided by your dog. While these will not be harmful in a moderate amount, they offer no nutritional value and should be minimized as much as possible.

Sugar

While natural sugars found in fruits are healthy and essential for dogs, processed sugar (i.e., granulated sugar) that you would include in banana bread is not fit for our pets. It can affect dogs in similar ways to humans, causing several ailments that should be avoided. They include cavities, upset stomach, weight gain, changes to their metabolism, and diabetes.

Flour

Flour does not offer anything in the way of nutritional value to your dog’s diet. It is used in many commercial dog foods, but in no way is it considered biologically appropriate food for your dog. If your dog does eat flour, it is best to choose one with more nutritional value, such as nut flour or whole wheat flour.

As you can see, half of banana bread’s main ingredients have nutritious value for your dog. While not necessarily harmful in moderation, the other ingredients offer little in the way of nutrition for your pet. It is best to avoid feeding your dog banana bread as part of his daily diet, but if he sneaks a slice, it will not hurt him.

Additional Note: Warning!

While traditional banana bread recipes are safe for your pet to consume, sometimes people like to include additional ingredients to mix it up a little bit. However, two common banana bread additions are extremely dangerous to your pup.

Some people like to add raisins to their banana bread, adding a new texture and flavor. However, raisins are toxic to our canine companions and result in dangerous side effects. While we do not know precisely what is in grapes that are so poisonous, we know that they can cause immediate kidney failure if consumed. Look for symptoms of poisoning such as fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, or sensitivity in the abdominal region.

The second ingredient is chocolate, which makes banana bread slightly more indulgent for humans but very toxic to your pup. It is widely known that chocolate is bad for dogs, but why? Chocolate contains two substances: stimulants, caffeine, and theobromine, which speed up the heart rate and nervous system.

If your dog eats chocolate, he might experience symptoms such as tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, elevated heart rate, or seizures. However, it might take several hours to start showing signs of ingestion, so do not wait until it’s too late to contact your vet.

If your dog has consumed banana bread with one of these two ingredients, call your local poison control hotline immediately, as they can both cause serious health issues or death.

Raisins can be poisonous when they are consumed in any amount by any size dog. Conversely, the dog’s reaction to chocolate might vary by the type of chocolate (dark chocolate is much more dangerous than milk chocolate), the size of the dog, and how much he consumed.

What if My Dog Eats Banana Bread?

It is always scary when your beloved pet gets into something he isn’t supposed to. However, in most cases, a few bites of banana bread will not put your dog at any risk. While there are no harmful ingredients in a traditional banana bread recipe, always keep an eye out for abnormal behaviors after ingesting something unusual. Unknown allergies are, unfortunately, a potential threat in scenarios like these.

If the banana bread has chocolate or raisins in it, it can be a real danger to your dog’s health. For chocolate, it is best to be aware of how much and what kind he ate for the doctor to treat him best. In some cases, they might induce vomiting to get it out of his system as soon as possible. In other cases, they might have to give him medication to prevent the poison from getting into his blood.

Because of the delayed reaction to chocolate, in particular, you must call the vet as soon as you are aware. Waiting too long could potentially result in serious health concerns. Call your vet or your local animal control hotline right away if one of these occurs.

Alternatives

If you occasionally slip your dog a bite of banana bread because he just loves that sweet, vanilla taste of a banana, then this section is sure to please. We have compiled a list of delicious alternatives for those dogs that go wild for bananas. Keep reading for creative, fun banana treats.

First up, classic, store-bought banana dog treats. You can find a wide variety of banana dog treats at your local pet store or online. If you want the quickest and easiest option, this is for you. Check out these Wholesome Pride Banana Dog Treats for a healthy, natural, and gluten-free snack for your pup.

If you want something a little more natural but still affordable and accessible, then try frozen bananas. Dogs love to chomp on crunchy treats. Simply freeze a peeled banana and then cut it into slices to make a few treats for the next time he’s a good boy. This simple, healthy, and natural option is excellent for pet owners who prefer to avoid feeding their pets commercial, processed foods. Best of all, he will love the cold, sweet goodie.

Lastly, you could have a go at homemade banana treats. Homemade dog treats may sound intimidating at first, but many only have a few ingredients, and your dog will know that they have been made with love. You can find so many easy, delicious, and healthy recipes online, but here is one of my favorites from the American Kennel Club:

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

One ripe banana
A slice of your dog’s favorite mild cheese
A generous scoop of creamy peanut butter

Instructions

Follow these simple steps:

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender until it is smooth.
Put the spread in a Kong (or another fillable toy) and freeze.
It is ready to enjoy! It is always safest to supervise your pet while he is eating.

Avoid Banana Bread for Your Pup

If you read this article because your pup sneaked a little banana bread without permission, then read on. We will share a few ways that you can avoid this in the future.

You may have noticed that best practices shift when you get a dog. Maybe you can no longer leave your shoes on the floor? In the kitchen, this means ensuring all foods are put out of your dog’s reach. Larger dogs, in particular, might get curious while you are gone and scope out some yummy snacks. However, this curiosity can lead to them eating human foods that are toxic to dogs.

Pet owners with especially mischievous dogs might also have to hide their trash can in a cabinet, put baby-proof devices on their cupboards, and more. As much as we love them, they can be extremely curious to their detriment. It is our job to ensure they are only eating the healthiest foods available.

Alternatively, you might be here because you can’t resist his sweet puppy eyes. If that’s the case, then this section is for you.

In general, it is a good rule of thumb to avoid feeding your dog human food. It can have unknown ingredients that might be toxic to your dog. Your dog might also have allergies that you are unaware of, which can be activated if he frequently eats unfamiliar foods. Feeding your dog human food also encourages begging and other undesirable behaviors like taking food off your plate.

It is a good idea to keep healthy dog treats near you while you are at home to indulge your pup while having your snack. It will satisfy your desire to make him happy and his desire to have a little treat. To mitigate begging behaviors, you can give him the treat in his regular food bowl.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, a few bites of banana bread will not hurt your dog. While there are a couple of ingredients with a lot of nutritional value, the added sugar and flour can negate the nutrients from the bananas and eggs. Try your hand at making homemade banana dog treats for your dog instead.

As a final note, anytime your dog eats something unfamiliar, it is best to keep an eye out for unusual behaviors. Keep your local poison control hotline number easily accessible in case of an emergency, and do your best to limit Fido’s access to human food.

Sources

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