Did you know?
Even if your pooch isn’t a monkey…
Fido can enjoy bananas too.
But wait…
What if your dog has diarrhea?
Could bananas make things better?
Or would they lead to something worse?
Let me answer all your concerns.
Continue reading to find out:
- 5 risks of bananas for dogs with diarrhea.
- 3 benefits of bananas for Fidos who have the runs.
- How much banana your pooch can eat for diarrhea.
- And a lot more…
Table of contents
Is banana good for dogs with diarrhea?
Bananas are good for dogs with diarrhea as long as they’re ripe. That’s because they’re easier to digest. Moreover, bananas have fiber and proteins. Those nutrients can help firm up stool. Plus, protein gives energy to your dog to fight off diarrhea.
Why is banana good for dogs with diarrhea?
Bananas are good for dogs with diarrhea because it can:
- Firm up Fido’s stool.
- Give your dog energy.
- Support easier digestion.
- Make your pooch feel full.
Note: That’s only for ripe bananas. If you feed unripe ones to your canine friend, it could worsen their diarrhea.
How so? If Fido eats unripe bananas…
They could end up experiencing the following:
- Bloating.
- Vomiting.
- A painful belly.
- Severe diarrhea.
- An upset tummy.
Now, how does a banana do these good things for your pooch?
First, let me explain what happens during diarrhea.
When Fido has the runs, their food isn’t digested properly. And that’s because it passes too fast through their gut.
As a result…
You’ll find loose and watery stools from your furry pal.
And that’s where fiber from bananas comes to the rescue. These are carbs that your dog’s gut can’t break down.
So as fiber stays intact in Fido’s belly…
It absorbs water that adds weight to your pooch’s stool. And that’s how bananas firm up their poop.
Moreover…
The water that bananas absorb keeps Fido feeling full. This way, they won’t feel too weak.
Additionally, a report from Harvard says:
Bananas have a low glycemic index (GI) level. This refers to how fast the body can turn carbs into sugar or energy.
So by having a low GI level, bananas are easy to digest. Especially for a pooch with diarrhea.
However, not all dogs could benefit from bananas.
And I’m referring to Fidos who are:
- Injured.
- Seniors.
- Nursing.
- Puppies.
- Pregnant.
These canines would need more than just bananas.
Why so?
Well, their bodies are more sensitive, unlike healthy adult dogs.
Thus, instead of relying on bananas…
The listed dogs should see a vet if they have diarrhea.
Risks when feeding banana to a dog with diarrhea
#1: Hyperkalemia
Bananas are rich in potassium.
To be specific, it has over 12 oz (358 g) of this mineral.
And if Fido only eats half slice of a banana…
The potassium from it works great for Fido’s body.
How so?
These minerals boost muscle movement. To be specific, it focuses on the heart’s nerve cells.
But if Fido eats too many bananas during diarrhea…
A study states:
Too much potassium could lead to hyperkalemia.
“Oh no, what would happen to my pooch?”
Doctors say hyperkalemia could lead to problems like:
- Stroke.
- Fainting.
- Limping.
- Weakness.
- Heart attacks.
- Mild paralysis.
- Heart damage.
- Abnormal pulse.
Warning: This condition can cause sudden death. So if you notice these symptoms, take your dog to the clinic.
With that, Fidos with diarrhea could suffer even more.
Especially for brachycephalic breeds, like:
- Pugs.
- Mastiffs.
- Shih Tzus.
- Pekingese.
- Boston Terriers.
- French Bulldogs.
Now, these dogs already have issues when it comes to breathing.
And that’s because of their short snouts or flattened faces.
So if Fido belongs to these breeds…
You should avoid feeding them too many bananas.
Oh, your pooch can’t breathe, and the clinics are closed? Then, check out this vet’s helpful video about curing Fido’s breathing issues:
You might also like: 9 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Breathing Fast While Sleeping
#2: Bowel obstruction
Not all fur parents are aware of this:
Eating banana peels can be deadly for their pooch.
And I know this sounds like obvious advice.
But I’m bringing it up since it concerns Fido’s life.
So when you feed your pooch some bananas…
Ensure that you peel it off properly. Also, throw the skin away to a place that your dog can’t reach.
Why? Some furry friends might get interested in banana peels.
And these dogs will dig through the bin to eat the skin.
Now, here’s what could happen if Fido dines on banana peels.
First, their diarrhea would turn worse.
How so? A banana’s skin is hard to digest.
And that can cause a bowel obstruction.
“What does that mean?”
It’s when the food blocks Fido’s gut.
“Then what would happen to my dog?”
Experts say Fido would show symptoms of blockage, such as:
- Whining.
- Lethargy.
- Dehydration.
- Appetite loss.
- Pain in the belly.
- Arching their back.
- Repeated vomiting.
But these are only the minor signs of a blocked gut in dogs.
So what if it gets worse?
The blockage could also lead to issues like:
- Bloating.
- Organ damage.
- Severe diarrhea.
- Ruptured intestines.
Now, these are things that might be fatal for your pooch.
And as you can see on the list, there’s severe diarrhea.
“So, banana peels can make my dog’s runs even worse?”
That’s right.
To spot severe diarrhea, pay attention to symptoms like:
- Barfing.
- Bloody feces.
- Orange stools.
- A strong bad odor.
- Lots of smelly gas.
- Increased frequency of pooping.
Warning: Severe diarrhea can be deadly for dogs. Once you see these signs, call a specialist for help.
With all these risks…
Always be careful when peeling off the banana for Fido.
Read next: Help, My Dog Has Loose Stools And Smelly Gas! 7 Tips
#3: Bloat a.k.a GDV
Just as I mentioned above…
Your pooch could also face bloating, a.k.a, GDV.
But this might happen even if Fido only eats the banana.
That means…
Even without the peel, your pooch can still face this problem.
“Okay, so what’s GDV?”
It stands for gastric dilatation and volvulus.
“And what does GDV do to my pooch?”
The AKC says bloat can cause issues in dogs, such as:
- Panting.
- A hard belly.
- Restlessness.
- Swollen tummy.
- Hypersalivation.
Warning: During diarrhea, GDV could cause bacterial infection to your Fido. And when left untreated, bloat can be deadly for your dog. So if you notice these signs, call a vet ASAP.
With this, your dog’s recovery from diarrhea could get affected.
“But how does bloat occur in the first place?”
It’s because bananas are rich in fiber and sorbitol.
And these two nutrients may promote gas creation inside Fido’s tummy.
So if your dog eats too many bananas…
The gas gets trapped in your furry friend’s gut.
As a result, Fido’s belly looks swollen.
And that’s painful for most dogs. Especially if your pooch has a sensitive stomach.
Moreover, one research also found:
Anxious and big Fidos are more prone to having GDV.
That’s why you should be careful when feeding bananas to your pooch.
Check out also: Why Does My Dog Suddenly Pant? 19 Dangers + 5 Tips
#4: Can trigger allergies
Fido can also be allergic to bananas.
How so?
Apparently, a study found that 7.6% of dogs could have food hypersensitivity.
And if your pooch’s allergic to bananas…
Vets say Fidos show reactions, such as:
- Barfing.
- Tummy ache.
- Farting too much.
- Sudden hyperactivity.
- Stools with a foul odor.
- Scratching and itching.
Warning: If you notice severe swelling on Fido’s skin, your dog should see an expert right away. That’s a sign of a fatal reaction to allergies.
Reading tip: Help, My Dog Is Constantly Scratching And Biting Himself!
#5: Bananas can worsen illnesses
Let’s say you only fed your pooch half of a banana.
That should be the ideal serving, right?
So now, what else could go wrong?
Well, a banana wouldn’t work on certain Fidos.
And I’m talking about dogs that have conditions, such as:
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- Heart ailments.
- Autoimmune disorders.
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD).
These unwell furry friends should avoid potassium in their diet.
“But why? Won’t bananas help my dog if they’re sick?”
Not always.
As I said, potassium might only worsen those illnesses.
How? Here’s an example:
Fidos with kidney issues could suffer more if they eat bananas.
To be specific, your dog’s organ will be at risk of failing.
“How could a banana do that to my pooch?”
Well, the kidney’s role is to regulate potassium.
So if there’s too much of that mineral inside Fido…
The organ can’t handle the abnormal amount of it.
And this would lead to kidney failure.
Now, that can be fatal for dogs.
Plus, when the kidney fails…
Your pooch’s digestion would get affected too. This would reset the cycle of their diarrhea.
So if your pooch has one or more of the conditions I listed earlier…
Then avoid feeding them bananas, especially when they have the runs.
How much banana can I feed my dog with diarrhea?
The amount of bananas you can feed to your dog with diarrhea depends on their weight.
Now, this one’s pretty simple. Just look at the table below:
| Your dog’s size | Number of slices | Serving size |
| Small: 12 to 24 lbs (5.4 to 10 kg) | 1 to 2 | 1.75 to 2 in (4 to 5 cm) |
| Medium: 24 to 59 lbs (10 to 26 kg) | 3 to 4 | 2.75 to 3 in (6 to 7 cm) |
| Large: 59 lbs to 100 lbs (26 to 45 kg) | Half banana | 3.5 to 4 in (8.89 to 10 cm) |
Note: This is based on regular bananas that are 7 to 8 inches long. If you use exotic bananas, the size could be different.
What is the best food to give a dog with diarrhea?
Even though bananas are healthy with the right dosages…
Experts say you can also try other food choices for Fido’s diarrhea, such as:
- Turkey.
- Oatmeals.
- Pumpkins.
- Watermelons.
- Cottage cheese.
- Plain-cooked rice.
- Boneless chicken.
- Lean ground beef.
- Probiotics suggested by vets.
Note: These foods should be cooked and plain. Plus, the meat must be skinless and boiled.