We’ve all felt the guilt when fido glances up, expecting us to share whatever treat we are having. Like most of us, you will succumb to the pleas those big eyes dish out in short order. While bananas are known to be a great snack for our furry friends, nourishing them with vitamins, minerals, and low-calorie energy, the question still stands, “Can dogs eat banana chips?” Yes, a dog can eat banana chips, but I’m sure as a good parent, you want to be certain that you are not just indulging in something only acceptable but feeding your pooch the absolute best for their health and longevity.
Nutritional Benefits of Banana Chips for Your Dog
Bananas remain some of the most nutritious foods that can also be consumed in various ways. They tend to be available all year round and are a rich source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Bananas are also a good source of dietary fiber, which is helpful for the dogs’ digestive health as it helps regulate bowel movements.
Like all fruits, bananas are a rich source of vitamins as well, which are needed to keep your pet healthy and happy. Among the vitamins in bananas include vitamins A, K, E, D & B complex. Bananas also contain magnesium which helps regulate calcium and is useful for many other metabolic processes. Bananas are a source of iron. That is used by the dog’s body to form red blood cells and hemoglobin, allowing oxygen and nutrients to be transported through the body. Iron deficiency would cause weakness, fatigue, and ultimately faintness.
As with most things today, the answer can be found by going slightly deeper than the surface. And what better way than to ask the right question, “Which type of dog banana chips are safe? With the great variety of treats available to us, it is important to differentiate what would make a healthy snack for our loyal friends.
Types of Banana Chips
Dog fried banana chips are made in different ways, which determine the quality and health of snacks we present to our dogs. Let’s dive in and take a closer look.
Dried/Dehydrated Banana Chips
These are made by two key processes. First is freeze-drying, the use of flash-freezing to remove moisture from cut-up banana pieces, turning them into chips. This ensures the dried banana chips retain almost all, if not their nutritional value. The banana pieces can also be dehydrated by use of heat. Using this method, a home dehydrator or low heat in the oven becomes the tool of choice. While this process loses a high percentage of the original nutritional value as the water content evaporates from the banana, the snacks remain an excellent treatment choice for your pet. Dehydrated banana chips remain as sweet as the fresh fruit though they may be less crunchy, softer, and chewier than those made by other methods.
Deep-Fried Banana Chips
These give the closest consistency to the popular fried chips and are obtained by deep frying slices of under-ripened fruit in any oil you choose. The process allows you to add flavors before dipping in the oil, which may be a challenge in preparing this tasty snack. While fried chips are crunchier and more popular, the added oil and flavors make them more calorie and fat-dense, meaning that if your pooch is on a restricted-calorie diet, then this is a definite no-no. The extra fat, sugar, and flavor also mean that this is a treat that can only be enjoyed sparingly and not a staple for your dog—remember that dog teeth cleaning should be a regular practice especially if Fido gets sweet treats.
Baked Banana Chips
These are like the dehydrated chips, whose difference is the time it takes to have them ready. While the dehydrated ones may take 2-3 hours to get them dry, baked chips will usually consist of plantains that are less sweet than ripe bananas and take more time to cook and thus be ready to eat. Following the steps to prepare your chips, i.e., slice the fruit into thin pieces of about 1/4” thickness, and lay them out on a baking sheet without touching. Sprinkle some lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown due to exposure to the air.
The chips are ready to bake in an oven set from 170ºto 180º F. Ensure the moisture escapes from the oven every hour or so. Your chips are baked when their level of crunchiness is to your satisfaction.
Dangers of Banana Chips
While banana chips make a healthy snack for your pet, it is important to ensure that your dog enjoys these in little to moderate quantities. Eaten in large quantities, they may cause your dog’s stomach to be upset.
It is also important to keep to dehydrated or dried store-bought chips, or even better, strive to make them yourself to be completely sure of what your pet is ingesting. Some store-bought chips may be made with banana peel which, if eaten in sufficient quantities, are okay for Fido. So, it is possible for your dog to eat too many banana chips.
FAQs
Can dogs eat banana chips?
Yes, banana chips are a good source of potassium, fiber, and B6. They are also good for digestion and are a low-calorie snack when given in moderation.
Are bananas toxic to dogs?
Bananas are not poisonous to dogs in moderation. They are low in cholesterol and sodium though they have a high content of sugar so they should not be a majority of the diet [1].
