Many Great Dane owners wonder about bananas. Is it okay for Great Danes to eat bananas? Can I feed my Great Dane bananas? How are bananas for Great Danes? Will my Great Dane get sick from eating bananas?
We know that you have questions about feeding your Great Dane bananas, and we’re here to answer them all! We’ll tell you everything you need to know about feeding your Great Dane a banana so that you can make the best possible decision for your pooch.
Let’s start by answering the question that everyone wants the answer to:
Are bananas safe for Great Danes?
It’s a common question, and the answer is: yes, bananas are generally safe for Great Danes. But there are some things to keep in mind when you feed them to your fur baby.
First, bananas do contain high amounts of sugar that can cause diarrhea if your Great Dane eats too much at once. So be gentle with how much you feed them, and always introduce new foods like bananas slowly to make sure your Great Dane doesn’t have an allergic reaction or food intolerance.
If you’re feeding them bananas for the first time, watch for any signs that they don’t like it—such as vomiting, diarrhea, or allergies (such as hives). If these occur, don’t make your Great Dane eat them again. Bananas are yummy, but not worth the risks! Keep watching those signs even if your Great Dane seems okay—it’s possible they may get sick later on.
If you notice anything abnormal happening with your Great Dane while they’re eating bananas, or after they’ve eaten them, stop feeding them immediately and contact your vet right away.
Benefits of bananas in Great Danes
Fiber: Bananas are a great source of fiber, which can help with digestion. In fact, if your Great Dane is suffering from diarrhea and/or constipation, feeding them some banana can help regulate their bowel movements.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is essential for healthy skin, bones, and teeth. It also helps produce collagen, which keeps the skin elastic and supple. And in case you had any doubt that this little fruit was powerful, let’s take a minute to talk about the immune system. Vitamin C provides a boost to your Great Dane’s immune system in multiple ways [link to ‘Why do Great Danes need vitamin C?’ page].
Potassium: Potassium helps to regulate fluid balance in cells and control nerve impulses and muscle contractions. Potassium salts are also an ingredient in electrolyte-replacement drinks for humans. So if your pup is dehydrated or recovering from an illness, give them some banana!
Magnesium: Magnesium helps increase energy by activating ATP, the body’s energy source [link to ‘What does magnesium do?’ page]. It also helps with muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission.
Vitamin B Complex: Like all B vitamins, vitamin B6 (or pyridoxine) helps metabolize carbohydrates.
Do all Great Danes like bananas?
No, not all Great Danes like bananas.
Great Danes have food preferences like humans do. Some Great Danes love peanut butter while others prefer chicken. It is normal for a Great Dane to dislike or even refuse to eat certain foods. So if your Great Dane turns their nose up at bananas, you’re not alone.
If you want your Great Dane to try a banana, you can try offering them a small piece of peeled banana. Great Danes with allergies will usually have trouble digesting the peels, so it is best to remove them before serving your pup the fruit.
Bananas are safe for most Great Danes, but they should always be given as a treat or snack and never as a meal replacement. If your Great Dane is allergic to any foods, speak with your veterinarian before introducing bananas into their diet.
Can Great Dane puppies eat bananas?
Can Great Dane puppies eat bananas? Yes!
But here’s a catch.
Puppies need to be on a special puppy diet for their digestive system during the first two months of life. After that, it’s a case of moderation, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with an upset stomach or diarrhea.
So let’s talk about how to introduce fruit into your puppy’s diet with no major digestive issues. Start with just a small bite of a banana once or twice a week. Make sure you’re always watching for signs of a tummy ache! If your pup seems uncomfortable after eating one piece of banana, then maybe it’s not the time for them to eat fruit.
How many bananas can Great Danes eat?
Of course, consulting with your vet first is the best way to decide exactly how many bananas your Great Dane can eat.
A rule of thumb, though: large Great Danes (over 25 pounds) can have half a banana a day, and small Great Danes (25 pounds or less) can have two to three pieces per day. There are plenty of other treats out there that you could feed your Great Dane—make sure that all treats combinedly don’t make up more than 10% of their total diet.
Bananas do contain sugar, so it’s not recommended that you give them to your Great Dane every day. They’re a fun treat for special occasions!
How to serve bananas to your Great Danes?
Bananas are a great treat for your Great Dane, but it’s important to make sure you’re doing it the right way. First, check with your vet about how much and what kind of banana you should offer your Great Dane. Once you get the OK, here are a few options for serving bananas to your pup:
Slices: This is the easiest option—just slice up the fruit into bite-sized pieces and let your pup have at it!
Frozen: Slice bananas up and freeze them in a plastic bag. Let them thaw before serving. This is a great option for hot summer days when your pup needs something cool to snack on.
Mix with other Great Dane-safe ingredients: Peanut butter and yogurt are tasty combinations that will take your pup’s banana treats to the next level.
Use fillable Great Dane toys: Use mashed bananas to fill things like Kongs or other toys that have hiding spots for treats. This will keep your pooch occupied while they’re working on getting their tasty reward!
Can my Great Danes have bananas every day?
There is no rule or guideline that says how often Great Danes eat bananas, but we recommend varying the treats because your Great Danes can get bored with bananas.
Different treats contain different nutrients and calories. For example, a banana contains potassium which is good for your Great Dane’s muscles, but it also contains a lot of sugar which can cause diarrhea if your Great Dane eats too much. Also, bananas are high in calories so you should give smaller portions than other treats.
When are bananas bad for Great Danes?
There’s no doubt about it—bananas are a great treat for Great Danes. But like all things, it’s possible to overdo it.
If your Great Dane has underlying health issues (like diabetes, kidney disease, or allergies), you should talk to your vet before feeding your Great Dane any bananas.
Even if your Great Dane is healthy, you can still overdo it. Make sure you stick to the recommended serving size from your vet—too many bananas can lead to stomach problems or diarrhea.
What happens when your Great Dane eats too many bananas?
If your Great Dane eats too many bananas, it’s likely that they will experience stomach upset or constipation. If this occurs, make sure to cut back on bananas in the future and feed your Great Dane more fiber-rich foods like carrots and broccoli.
Banana peels can also cause intestinal blockage, so be sure to dispose of banana peels properly before your Great Dane finds them.
If your Great Dane has underlying issues with its kidneys or diabetes, too many bananas can dump an overload of potassium in its blood. Symptoms of this could be weakness, lethargy, disorientation, or even collapse.
What to do if your Great Dane eats too many bananas?
If you suspect your Great Dane has eaten a large amount of banana, the first thing to do is not panic. There is no need to rush off to the emergency room or call your vet unless there are signs of any other symptoms. The most important thing to think about is how much they have eaten.
It’s also important to remember that not all Great Danes react in the same way when they eat bananas. Some Great Danes will eat them with no problem while others may be allergic and will show an adverse reaction.
If you see your Great Dane eating a banana or you’ve just realized they have eaten one, it is a good idea to stop feeding them any more, as well as making sure any remaining banana peels are removed from the house to prevent any further episodes.
Although some Great Danes are more sensitive, it is unlikely that eating a small amount of banana (or even a whole one) will cause any serious problems for most healthy Great Danes. However, if your Great Dane does seem to be showing any abnormal signs after eating a banana then it might be worth contacting your vet for advice.
Can my Great Dane eat a banana peel?
Banana peels are not okay for Great Danes to eat. They contain a lot of fiber and can be difficult for your Great Dane to digest, which may lead to blockages. (And no one wants that, right?)
If you want to give your Great Dane some banana, peel it first.
Are banana chips safe for my Great Dane?
Banana chips are perfectly safe for your Great Dane! They’re an easy, lightweight food to pack for when you and your pup are on the go.
When you’re out hiking or playing fetch at the beach, you probably want to give your Great Dane a quick snack. Commercial banana chips are a no-go—they have a high sugar content and preservatives added during processing. Consider dehydrated banana chips instead. They’re made without additives and are just as tasty as the store-bought kind.
Other human foods Great Danes can eat
What other human foods can Great Danes eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Great Dane can eat.
So, can Great Danes eat bananas?
Yes, Great Danes can eat bananas!
They’re wonderful snacks for your Great Dane—but as with everything you feed to your pup, be sure to do so in moderation. Bananas contain B-vitamins and potassium, which are fantastic for your Great Dane’s overall health!
However, too much banana can cause constipation in Great Danes. Don’t give your Great Dane any more than about a third of a cup of banana for every 50 pounds of body weight.
Also, you should never give your Great Dane the banana peel—it could cause choking, or at the very least make them quite uncomfortable.
Have fun snacking with your pup!