Can dogs eat banana peel? And can banana fruit be toxic to dogs? To answer these questions, this post will talk about the problems of banana peel consumption by dogs. In addition, let’s talk about the fruits that can be used in the dog’s diet.
My dog ate a banana peel
The dog ate a whole banana including the skin, should I be worried? Perhaps the tutor should be concerned, the banana is a fruit that can be consumed by dogs, but its peel should be avoided.
Banana peels are rich in fiber which can lead to abdominal discomfort, vomiting and even diarrhea in some dogs. In these cases, the consumption of water by the dog should be encouraged. If these symptoms intensify or last longer than 24 hours, a veterinarian should be consulted.
About bananas
The banana is a fruit of the banana tree, it is an elongated seedless fruit covered by a yellow skin. Bananas contain large amounts of sugars and potassium. This fruit is rich in fiber and vitamins A and C. Bananas are a very tasty fruit for dogs.
Bananas should be fed to dogs peeled, but if the animal eats the food with the peel on, there is no problem. Banana peels may not be as appetizing and can also lead to vomiting and diarrhea in some animals due to the amount of fiber present in banana peels.
Care must be taken with the amount of food to be fed to the dog. Diet imbalance can lead to health problems in the dog. Therefore, a veterinary nutritionist can be consulted to balance the dogs’ diet, so the tutor can know the proper amount of bananas can be supplied to the dog without causing harm.
Do bananas bring any harm to the dog’s health?
Overall, bananas can bring many benefits. However, excessive consumption of this fruit by dogs can lead to an imbalance in the diet of dogs, thus causing damage to the health of the animal.
Bananas are rich in sugars and their excess consumption can lead to weight gain in dogs that can result in obesity. Obesity in dogs must be treated before it generates more metabolic and hormonal problems in dogs such as diabetes. In addition, obesity can predispose animals to several other diseases.
When in doubt, always offer small amounts of bananas to dogs and avoid giving this type of food every day. And be sure to provide the animal with a balanced diet, whether commercial or not.
Other fruits that dogs can eat
There are several foods that are allowed for dogs to consume, in addition to being extremely palatable, dogs can love to receive these fruits as a snack.
- Kiwi;
- Apple;
- Strawberry;
- Melon;
- Persimmon;
- Mango;
- Guava.
Kiwi: Kiwi fruit is rich in vitamins A, potassium, calcium and fiber that can bring many health benefits to dogs. It must be supplied in small quantities and its peel must be removed, which is thick, favoring choking by dogs and, in addition, it can be toxic for animals.
Apple: The apple is rich in vitamins B, C and E and can be offered in small amounts to dogs. Apple is a fruit that can bring many benefits to dogs as it is rich in vitamins and nutrients. The consumption of apple seeds should be avoided because the seeds contain hydrocyanic acid, which can be very harmful to the dog’s organism.
Strawberry: Strawberry is a fruit rich in vitamins A, some B vitamins, in addition to being a source of fiber, minerals and being rich in antioxidants. It is an excellent fruit to be offered to dogs. Care must be taken with the amount as excess consumption of strawberries can lead to obesity and even complications such as diabetes.
Melon: Melon is an excellent fruit in the dog’s diet because it is rich in liquids. It is a fruit that can bring several health benefits to dogs because it has vitamins such as vitamin A and B in addition to potassium. The consumption of melon peel and seeds by dogs should be avoided, as it can favor choking and even gastrointestinal obstructions.
Persimmon: It should be offered to the dog sparingly as it is a very sweet fruit. Persimmon can be offered with or without peel and because it is rich in vitamins, such as vitamin C, and minerals that can bring several health benefits to dogs.
Mango: Mango is a fruit rich in vitamins A, B and K and its fiber can help the dogs gastrointestinal tract. However, care should be taken with the amount of mango that the dog eats, due to the amount of sugar, excessive consumption of mangoes can lead to obesity in dogs. The mango peel and pit must be removed before feeding the animal, both the peel and the pit can cause choking and even become foreign bodies in the animals’ gastrointestinal tract.
Guava: When offered with bark to dogs, guava helps maintain the proper functioning of the animal’s intestinal system, preventing possible diarrhea. In addition to being rich in many vitamins, guava contains high amounts of iron, calcium, and carbohydrates.
Problems with the unbalanced diet of dogs
The excess of nutrients and the lack of them can lead to serious problems in dogs. The main symptoms to watch out for are:
- Weakness;
- Hair loss;
- Locomotion difficulty;
- Pain in limbs;
- neurological signs.
Animals with excess nutrients can present an imbalance in the homeostasis of the dog’s physiology. Depending on the nutrient, the dog can have obesity, skin diseases, kidney disease, heart disease and even neurological signs.
Already the absence of some nutrients can lead to weakness, weight loss and even difficulties in bone fractures, resulting in pain, litter, and a lot of discomfort for dogs to get around.
When the dog’s diet is unbalanced, a veterinarian should be urgently sought for dietary corrections, avoiding damage to the animal’s health. That is why you should not feed an animal with homemade diets without first consulting a veterinarian.
Conclusion
The banana peel can bring harm to some dogs and therefore its consumption by animals should be avoided. Bananas can bring many benefits to dogs and can be an excellent type of treat for dogs. However, care should be taken with the amount of food provided to dogs, a consultation with a veterinary nutritionist is indicated for prescribing the amount of bananas that can be offered to dogs without harming their diet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): My dog ate a banana peel
What Fruits Can Dogs Eat?
Some fruits can bring several health problems to dogs, such as avocados and grapes due to some toxins that are toxic to dogs. Some citrus fruits like lemon, orange and tangerine should also be avoided.
What to do to prevent obesity?
The animal should eat only a balanced diet. And if it is necessary to supplement with snacks and even with other foods, a veterinary nutritionist should be consulted.
In addition to a balanced diet, the practice of physical activity by the dog can increase caloric expenditure by reducing fat deposition that leads to weight gain and obesity in dogs.
What foods are toxic for dogs?
Common foods that are highly toxic to dogs are:
- Grapes and Raisins;
- Xylitol;
- Chocolate;
- Tea;
- Coffee;
- Onions;
- Garlic;
- Alcohol.
Reference
Feliciano, M. A. R., Saad, F. M. O. B., Logato, P. V. R., Aquino, A. A., José, V. A., & Roque, N. C. (2009). Efeitos de probióticos sobre a digestibilidade, escore fecal e características hematológicas em cães. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 61, 1268-1274. Chicago
Macedo, H. T., Vendramini, T. H. A., Rentas, M. F., Risolia, L. W., Oba, P. M., Zafalon, R., … & Brunetto, M. A. CAPÍTULO X MICROBIOMA DE CÃES. Novos Desafios da Pesquisa em Nutrição e Produção Animal, 190.
Bjone, S. J., Brown, W. Y., & Price, I. R. (2007). Grass eating patterns in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris. Recent advances in animal nutrition in Australia, 16, 45-49.
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