Bananas are a popular snack for people, and that’s because they’re delicious and nutritious. They’re loaded with fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, and they have lots of other vitamins and minerals in smaller quantities. That’s why many Yorkshire Terrier owners wonder whether bananas are good for Yorkies, too.
But can you feed bananas to your Yorkshire Terrier? The short answer is “yes,” but there are some things you need to know first before you share this treat with your pup. In this post, we’ll answer every question you may have about feeding bananas to your Yorkshire Terrier. Let’s start with the following question:
Are bananas safe for Yorkies?
Bananas are safe for Yorkies to eat. However, you should be careful when feeding your Yorkshire Terrier bananas, as they contain high levels of sugar and will also increase your Yorkshire Terrier’s energy levels.
It is best not to feed your Yorkshire Terrier too many bananas at once, as it contains high sugar. Giving a small amount initially and then increasing the amount based on how much they enjoy it.
It is also rare, but some Yorkies can show a food intolerance or allergic reaction to bananas. If this is the case, stop feeding them bananas. To start slowly if you are feeding first time and watch for any abnormal signs. If you observe any abnormal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing, immediately take your Yorkshire Terrier to the vet for treatment.
Benefits of bananas in Yorkies
Bananas are good for Yorkies! Not only do they taste delicious, but they’re chock full of nutrients, too. Here are some benefits of feeding your Yorkshire Terrier bananas:
Fiber: Bananas have lots of fiber, which can help your Yorkshire Terrier keep regular.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help boost your Yorkshire Terrier’s immune system.
Potassium: Potassium helps with muscle function and water balance.
Magnesium: Magnesium helps with nerve function, maintaining blood glucose level and muscle development.
Vitamin B Complex: Vitamin B Complex will give your Yorkshire Terrier energy and keep his/her coat shiny.
Do all Yorkies like bananas?
Not all Yorkies like bananas. There are many reasons a Yorkshire Terrier might not care for bananas.
Some humans dislike bananas, but most canines will eat just about anything they can get their mouths on, so it is unusual that a Yorkshire Terrier would not like food. However, Yorkies still have preferences.
Maybe you’re offering the banana in slices, but your Yorkshire Terrier prefers them mashed or mixed in with other foods. Maybe your Yorkshire Terrier is simply not used to the texture and taste of bananas. If you only offer fruits to your Yorkshire Terrier sparingly, it could take him time to get used to them and come to enjoy them.
Sometimes, Yorkies may have an allergic reaction to certain foods such as bananas. Some Yorkies can have difficulty digesting certain ingredients and become nauseous. Symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea are signs that your pet is having trouble with a particular food and should avoid it in the future.
Can Yorkshire Terrier puppies eat bananas?
Yes, they can! However, they should wait for a few months before they eat bananas. During the first two months of a Yorkshire Terrier puppy’s life, they are still growing and developing their digestive systems.
Then, you can introduce one small bite of a banana occasionally. This way, you can ensure that the digestive system of your puppy is strong enough to process this new food, causing no discomfort. Be sure to always consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new food into your puppy’s diet.
How many bananas can Yorkies eat?
Before you share any human food with your Yorkshire Terrier, you should consult your vet for serving size and frequency.
A rule of thumb is to give no more than half a banana per day to a large pup breed or 2–3 small pieces per day to a small pup breed like Yorkies. You should always follow these guidelines to ensure that your Yorkshire Terrier receives a completely balanced diet. Keep in mind that all treats combined should not exceed 10% of your Yorkshire Terrier’s total daily calorie intake.
Bananas also contain high levels of sugar and should therefore be an occasional treat rather than a regular snack for your pup.
How to serve bananas to your Yorkies?
Bananas are a Yorkshire Terrier-friendly, people-friendly snack that can be shared between humans and pooches alike! There is a lot of misinformation out there about what foods are safe for Yorkies to eat, so it’s important that you check in with your veterinarian before giving your Yorkshire Terrier any new treat.
Keep in mind that raw bananas contain a lot of fiber and nutrients that can upset your Yorkshire Terrier’s stomach and cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It’s recommended that you feed your Yorkshire Terrier cooked or baked bananas only. For the healthiest treats possible, it’s best to buy organic bananas since they won’t have pesticides.
If you’re happy with the go-ahead from your vet, here are some ways to serve bananas to your Yorkies:
Slice them up and give them as treats. This is by far the easiest way to share a banana with a Yorkshire Terrier!
Freeze them! When you freeze banana slices, they become a refreshing treat on hot days.
Mix mashed banana with other Yorkshire Terrier-safe ingredients like peanut butter or yogurt for special homemade treats.
Use fillable Yorkshire Terrier toys like Kongs to stuff mashed bananas inside, which makes for an extra special reward when your pup figures out how to get it all out.
Can my Yorkies have bananas every day?
Well, it depends.
There’s no rule on how often Yorkies can eat bananas. It all depends on your Yorkshire Terrier’s needs and preferences. Some Yorkies love bananas, while other Yorkies simply don’t care for them. It also depends on how much you feed your Yorkshire Terrier in a day and how many calories they need to remain healthy.
If you wish to feed your Yorkshire Terrier bananas every day, check the recommended amount of bananas for your pet’s weight and try to stick to it. Keep in mind that bananas are high in sugar and fiber, so they are not good as frequent treats for overweight Yorkies or Yorkies with other health conditions.
You can feed your Yorkshire Terrier a small piece of it every day if they like it. But we recommend you to vary the treats because your Yorkies can get bored with bananas if you only give them this fruit every day. Also, different treats contain different vitamins and minerals that our pets need, so try to mix up their diet as much as possible.
When are bananas bad for Yorkies?
Although bananas are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they should not be given to Yorkies with underlying health issues like kidney disease or diabetes. The high sugar content in bananas can cause problems for Yorkies with diabetes.
Also, the potassium levels in bananas can be problematic for Yorkies with kidney disease.
Yorkies with certain digestive conditions may also experience stomach upset and diarrhea from eating too many bananas. Always stick to the recommended serving size from your vet.
What happens when your Yorkshire Terrier eats too many bananas?
Stomach upset: The first sign that you’ll see is likely to be stomach upset. Your Yorkshire Terrier may stop eating, vomit, or have diarrhea. It’s important to bring your Yorkshire Terrier to the veterinarian for a thorough examination if you notice any of these symptoms because they can indicate a more serious problem.
Constipation: If your Yorkshire Terrier ate a lot of banana peels, there’s also a chance it will become constipated. That’s because the cellulose in the banana peel contains a lot of insoluble fiber and can either cause constipation or diarrhea.
Intestinal Blockage: Another concern is if your Yorkshire Terrier eats large quantities of banana peels, they could get stuck in its intestines and cause an obstruction. This is especially true with small Yorkies, puppies, or senior Yorkies. If your Yorkshire Terrier shows any symptoms of an intestinal blockage—such as vomiting or inability to defecate—you should take it to the vet right away.
Kidney and Diabetes Issues: If your Yorkshire Terrier has underlying issues with its kidneys or diabetes, too many bananas can dump an overload of potassium in its blood. Symptoms of this would be fragility, incoordination, or even collapse.
What to do if your Yorkshire Terrier eats too many bananas?
Please, don’t panic. This is a needlessly stressful situation for you and your pup, and there’s no reason for it.
Your Yorkshire Terrier may have eaten too many bananas, but that doesn’t mean that all is lost—it simply means it’s time to take some precautionary measures to ensure that your Yorkshire Terrier gets through this, and comes out the other side as healthy as ever.
The first thing you should do is stop feeding your Yorkshire Terrier. It’s okay if your Yorkshire Terrier has already eaten enough food for today (they might still be hungry), but do not feed them any more bananas—get any leftovers away from them.
Then you should monitor your Yorkshire Terrier’s behavior. If you notice anything amiss in their normal routine or demeanor, don’t wait to call your vet. They will probably want you to bring your Yorkshire Terrier in so they can examine them and make sure they’re okay.
Can my Yorkshire Terrier eat a banana peel?
Unfortunately, banana peels contain a lot of fiber, which is a little harder for them to digest than the fruit inside. The peel could cause blockages and is more likely to make them sick than the actual banana. It doesn’t really taste all that good.
That being said, if you want to give your Yorkshire Terrier some banana, we recommend cutting off the peel and giving them just the fruit.
Are banana chips safe for my Yorkshire Terrier?
Totally safe. In fact, your Yorkshire Terrier will love them.
Banana chips are essentially bananas that have been dehydrated and baked until they’re crunchy and delicious. They’re a great treat for your pup on hikes, walks, or when you guys are just hanging out at home. If you’re looking for easy energy boosts for your Yorkshire Terrier without having to carry around tins of food and water, these are a great choice. They’re lightweight and Yorkies love the taste!
You can make your own banana chips from scratch at home if you want to control exactly what goes into them (some commercial banana chip brands use additives like sugar and preservatives that you may not want to give your Yorkshire Terrier). Or, you can also buy dehydrated banana chips online or in pet stores.
Other human foods Yorkies can eat
What other human foods can Yorkies eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Yorkies can eat.
So, can Yorkies eat bananas?
Yes! Bananas are a wonderful snack for our Yorkshire Terrier friends. They’re full of all kinds of vitamins and minerals, like vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, and biotin. However, it’s important to remember that Yorkies don’t need these nutrients in the same way that humans do—so they can have bananas as an occasional treat (maybe once or twice a week).
Besides their nutritional benefits (which your Yorkshire Terrier will get plenty of from their regular food anyway), bananas are a great source of dietary fiber. That makes them a good choice for your Yorkshire Terrier if they’re having problems with constipation or diarrhea. Just make sure you choose bananas that aren’t too ripe—the ripper a banana is, the more sugar it contains—and too much sugar isn’t good for Yorkies.