Can a Boston Terrier Eat Bananas? 6 Things to Know

Just because we eat fruit, doesn’t mean that our dogs can! Blueberries are a superfood for both humans and Boston Terriers. But that is not the case for all fruits.

Can a Boston Terrier eat bananas? Yes, Boston Terriers can eat raw bananas but in moderation. And even though the banana peel is not toxic, discard it since it’s hard to digest.

Here are 6 reasons why bananas make a healthy dog treat, but also the downside of this fruit.

Can a Boston Terrier Eat Bananas?

Boston Terriers can eat raw bananas moderately. You can mix some mashed banana in your dog’s meal or feed him a small slice as an occasional treat.

Bananas have major nutritional benefits for dogs (source):

• High in fibre (helps with digestion and gastrointestinal problems).
• Contain many vitamins like B6 and C.
• Source of minerals like potassium (which helps control nerve impulses, brain function, muscle activity, and heart function).
• Also contains magnesium (which promotes bone growth and aids in the absorption of proteins and vitamins).
• Low in sodium (salt content).
• Low in fats.

However, bananas are also high on carbs (93% ratio). This means that they contain sugar in the form of fructose (like all fruits do).

Bananas have a GI index of 51, which is considered medium.

Note: The glycemic index is based on a scale of how quickly a food causes blood sugar levels to increase. 

Disclaimer:

I am not a veterinarian, so always check with your vet before changing your Boston Terrier’s diet to avoid unexpected consequences.

However, I do have knowledge on dog nutrition and dietary needs.

Can Boston Terriers Eat Banana Peels?

Don’t feed your Boston Terrier the peel of the banana. The peels aren’t toxic, but they are hard to chew and digest.

If your pooch eats a banana peel, she could get a stomach upset and may cause a blockage. This can result in vomiting. If that happens, get in touch with your veterinarian if she doesn’t get better soon.

How Much Banana Can a Boston Terrier Eat?

As a precaution, I recommend checking with your vet first before feeding your Boston Terrier any human foods, even if they are graded dog-safe.

Although bananas are good and relatively safe for dogs to eat, every dog reacts differently to food.

Here’s what you should know about safely feeding bananas to your Boston Terrier:

1. Serving size: 2 or 3 tiny slices.
2. Serving frequency: Moderation is key, and I would make it once a week. But I am not a veterinarian. So, I encourage you to check with yours and see what suits your Boston Terrier’s dietary needs and weight, in particular.

Remember that bananas, although full of beneficial vitamins and minerals that are good for dogs, are also sugary and aren’t meant to be a regular part of your Boston Terrier’s diet.

If you decide to feed bananas to your Boston Terrier after consulting your vet, introduce this food gradually to prevent an upset stomach.

The key part to remember is this: moderation is key.

Keeping a balanced diet is very important to establish a foundation of good health and increase your Boston Terrier’s longevity. Dogs are carnivores, but they can benefit from eating certain vegetables and fruits since this mimics a prey’s stomach.

Pros and Cons Of Feeding Bananas To Boston Terriers

But before you start feeding bananas to your pooch, let’s have a further look at the health benefits and also disadvantages of this fruit.

6 Health Benefits Of Bananas For Boston Terriers

Bananas offer dogs some of the same health benefits that they do for humans; in particular, these 6 (source):

1. Promote and maintain healthy blood pressure. Bananas are rich in potassium and vitamin B6, two nutrients that regulate your Boston Terrier’s blood flow. Low blood pressure means a healthier heart function.
2. Strengthen muscles. Bananas are also full of magnesium, which helps muscle activity and maintenance. For active Boston Terriers, bananas can aid maintaining strong muscles.
3. Increase the strength of bones. Potassium in bananas can reduce calcium loss from bones. Meanwhile, magnesium promotes healthy bone growth and aids in the absorption of proteins and vitamins.
4. Improve brain function. Vitamin B6 in bananas promotes cognitive capacity (keeping your dog’s mind sharp) and enhances heart health.
5. Boost immunity. Bananas can also increase your Boston Terrier’s resistance to sickness. Bananas contain vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps dogs heal and repair.
6. Enrich gut health. The fibre in bananas helps with digestion and gastrointestinal problems. They are also a prebiotic, a compound that induces the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms (probiotics – the good bacteria in your dog’s gut).

The Downside Of Feeding Bananas To Your Boston Terrier

Here’s the “but.”

Overfeeding bananas to your Boston Terrier turns their benefits into disadvantages. Bananas can cause:

1. Weight gain. Bananas have natural sugars and starches, which can cause your pooch to gain weight.
2. Diabetes. Although they have a GI index of 51, too much sugar causes diabetes.
3. An upset stomach. Although their fibre helps with digestion, too much fibre has a contrary effect, resulting in gastrointestinal issues. Excessive fibre content can cause constipation and excessive sugar can cause diarrhoea.

Finally, there’s the risk of your Boston Terrier being allergic to bananas. Common food allergy reactions include:

• Red and itchy skin.
• Swelling.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Sneezing and coughing.
• Agitation. 

If your Boston Terrier shows any of the symptoms above, you should stop feeding your pooch bananas and contact your vet right away.

Read also: Boston Terrier Diet – where I discuss Food Allergies and the best diet for Allergic Boston Terriers.

Banana Serving Ideas

How should I feed bananas to my Boston Terrier?

If your vet gives you the okay, here are some ways you can feed bananas to your Boston Terrier:

• Treat option:
  • Raw: Give your dog 2 to 3 small slices of banana. You can also stuff your dog’s Kong with a few banana slices.
  • Smushed: Mash some banana slices and place them on a slow feeder mat.
  • Frozen: During hot weather, you can opt to freeze some slices. Alternatively, you can stuff a rubber dispenser toy and freeze it afterwards.
  • Dehydrated: You can also dehydrate a banana in a dehydrator or low oven, and feed some slices to your pooch afterwards.
• Meal options:
  • Raw: You can mash some banana slices with your dog’s meal. Then, you can either stuff your dog’s Kong with or serve the meal on a bowl.
  • Recipe: You can find plenty of recipes for banana dog treats by searching online. Just avoid harmful ingredients like xylitol. Personally, I prefer to serve bananas raw.

P.S. For more safe and healthy rewards, check Boston Terrier Treats blog post, which includes raw, single-ingredient and commercial options.