High in essential nutrients and delicious to boot, bananas make great treats for dogs. But is every part of the banana dog-friendly? Can dogs, for example, eat banana peels?
We don’t recommend feeding dogs banana peels. While not toxic to dogs, banana peels can cause your pooch great discomfort. In the worst of cases, they can be deadly.
Let’s find out why dogs can’t eat banana peels!
Are Banana Peels Bad for Dogs?
Yes, banana peels are bad for dogs.
It’s true that banana peels won’t poison your dog. They even contain important nutrients such as protein, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
Unfortunately, the makeup of banana peels makes them a poor choice of treats for our canine pals. In fact, they can be quite dangerous.
So why, exactly, are banana peels bad for dogs? Here are the reasons:
Bowel obstruction
All dogs need fiber to have a healthy digestive system. The right amount of fiber can prevent diarrhea and constipation. It also allows your pet’s colon to recover rapidly from injury.
The problem with banana peels is that they have an excess of extremely concentrated fiber, which dogs have a lot of trouble digesting. Banana peels can therefore get stuck in your dog’s gut to cause an obstruction.
The symptoms of a bowel obstruction include:
- Vomiting (may be recurring)
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration (due to fluid loss)
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Hunched back
- Whining
A bowel obstruction is exceedingly dangerous especially if the banana peel completely blocks the stomach or intestines. A complete blockage prevents liquids and solids from traveling through the digestive tract. It reduces blood flow, which can cause parts of the bowels to deteriorate. It can also increase the absorption of toxins.
If a bowel obstruction isn’t treated as soon as possible, the intestines could get ruptured. This can kill your dog.
Keep in mind that your dog’s size can influence the outcome of banana peel consumption; the smaller your dog is, the greater the likelihood of a bowel obstruction.
How to help a dog experiencing bowel obstruction:
If your dog displays any of the above symptoms after ingesting a banana peel, don’t give them any additional food, and take them to the vet immediately. If your dog has made an attempt to expel the peel out of the anus, but the peel gets partially stuck in the rectum, don’t attempt to pull it out yourself, as this can cause injury. Let the vet do their job.
The vet will give your dog a physical exam as well as an ultrasound or radiograph to confirm whether or not they have a bowel obstruction.
If the peel is still in the stomach, an endoscopy may be used to remove the blockage. This involves passing a slim tube with an attached camera and a clasping mechanism through the throat and into the stomach.
Alternatively, treatment may require surgery under anesthesia, especially if the banana peel has been stuck in your dog’s gut for an extended period.
Post-treatment, temporary lifestyle changes are also required to restore your pooch to health.
Choking
Some dogs get so excited about eating that they forget to chew and instead gobble up their food whole. And a large chunk of banana peel, if swallowed, can get lodged in the throat to cause choking.
Below are the signs your dog is choking:
- Persistent coughing (your dog’s attempt to expel the banana peel)
- Inhaling difficulty due to blocked airway
- Pawing at the mouth
- Panicked, frantic behavior
A dog can fall unconscious if the throat obstruction isn’t removed.
The smaller your dog, the more likely they are to choke on a banana peel.
How to help a choking small dog:
If your dog is choking on a banana peel, you need to act fast. Remember to remain calm, however.
To help your pet, start by laying them down on their side. Ask someone to gently hold them down so that they don’t move around.
Open your dog’s mouth wide so the back of their throat is visible. If you see the peel stuck in their throat, reach in with tongs, a long tweezer, needle-nose pliers, or your hands, then grab the peel and pull it out. Take great care not to push the peel further down the esophagus.
If you can’t see or reach the peel, you’ll have to perform the Heimlich maneuver.
If you have a small dog, place them on your lap, stomach up. Position your palm just below their ribcage, then gently push upward and inward. Do this 5 times. Next, roll your pooch onto their side and inspect their mouth for the obstruction. Repeat the process until the obstruction is ejected.
How to help a choking large dog:
The maneuver is different for larger dogs.
If they’re on their side, place one hand on their back and the other on their abdomen. Squeeze or push the abdomen upward and forward toward their spine, then examine their mouth for the peel. Repeat until the blockage is removed.
If the dog is standing, the technique is similar to how the Heimlich maneuver is performed on a human. Wrap your arms around their torso and link your hands into fists below their abdomen. Then, firmly and quickly thrust those fists upward and forward so they push on the abdomen. Do this 5 times, then check your dog’s mouth for the peel. Repeat until the blockage is expelled from the throat.
Whatever technique you use, once the blockage is removed, check the back of your dog’s mouth and remove any additional loose food to prevent further choking.
After you’ve removed the peel from your dog’s throat, contact a veterinarian immediately. Your pet may need to be hospitalized if they spent considerable time without oxygen. Their throat and mouth will also need to be examined for damage.
Digestive problems and/or allergic reactions
Unless the banana is completely organic, the peel is likely coated with chemicals, such as synthetic pesticides. These can harm your dog especially if they have a low tolerance for such substances.
Ingesting chemicals can cause the following digestive issues:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Abdominal pain
These chemicals can also cause allergic reactions, whose symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itchiness
- Hives
- Facial swelling
- Inflamed, reddish skin
- Sneezing
- Runny ears
- Excessive licking
An extreme allergic reaction can even lead to a potentially lethal anaphylactic shock, during which the blood pressure suddenly plummets and the airways narrow to make breathing exceptionally difficult.
How to help a dog experiencing digestive issues:
While digestive issues often resolve on their own, you should contact a vet for advice to ensure you don’t make mistakes that can worsen your dog’s condition.
You’ll likely be made to avoid feeding your dog for up to 24 hours. After this period, they’ll have to go on a bland diet (e.g. plain, lean chicken) for a few days. Make sure they have access to plenty of clean drinking water during this time. They may also benefit from consuming probiotics.
If your dog’s digestive issues are severe, take them to the pet clinic or hospital. They’ll likely be given supportive care, which may involve fluid therapy, medication, probiotics, and the like.
How to help a dog experiencing an allergic reaction:
Allergic symptoms usually go away on their own within a week or two, so, in most cases, all a fur parent has to do is prevent their dog from eating other banana peels laced with chemicals, and wait.
However, if your pooch suffers a severe allergic reaction, you should rush them to the vet for emergency life-saving treatment.
How a vet treats your dog’s allergic symptoms depends on the type of allergy. Treatment may involve medications and a special diet.
FAQs About Banana Peels for Dogs
It’s time to answer frequently asked questions about banana peels for dogs!
Can dogs eat banana peels?
Don’t feed dogs banana peels. Because they’re difficult to digest, they can cause bowel obstruction, which can be deadly if left untreated.
Banana peels can also choke your dog. And if they’re laced with chemicals, they can cause digestive issues or allergic reactions.
Can dogs eat bananas?
Dogs can eat the pale banana flesh safely. Even better, bananas are loaded with nutrients that can benefit your pet’s health in various ways. However, as too many bananas can cause gastrointestinal problems, feed them this fruit in moderation.
Can dogs eat banana chips?
Yes, banana chips are healthy treats for dogs. Just make sure they’re completely plain, which means no artificial sweeteners, salt, and other additives that can harm your pooch. Also, feed your dog these chips in moderation.
Consider your dog’s size, as well. A medium-sized canine can consume between 5 and 10 chips; a smaller dog should eat fewer.
Conclusion
Nope, dogs can’t eat banana peels, as they can cause various issues—several of them potentially deadly.
If you want your dog to enjoy a nutritious treat, give them the banana flesh, instead. This is packed with nutrients they need to stay in great health!