Can Dogs Eat Plantains?

Are you owning a pet? If yes, you are the luckiest person on the planet as they are a wonderful companion. But owning a pet is not as simple as it sounds and it comes with a lot of responsibilities. You should refrain from owning a pet if you are planning to get one for a status symbol or just like that.

A responsible pet owner is the one who takes proper care of his pet and spends enough time to make them happy. They also take care of their vaccinations, training, and other needs as and when required. Dogs are no different than humans hence in most cases we need to be very vigilant and cautious.

When it comes to feeding your dog, you need to be extra careful as many food items can be harmful to your pet. The wrong choice of food may cause some severe damages to your dog’s health. In such a situation, you should immediately rush your dog to the nearest veterinarian doctor for proper medical attention.

I am sure as many of the other pet lovers and owners you must also be having a lot of questions in your mind such as what your dog can eat and cannot eat. In this blog, we will try to focus on one such question, can dogs eat plantains?

Yes, plantains are fine for your dog to consume as far as they are fed in control. Also, it is better to give them boiled or steamed plantains than raw as they are comparatively good for your dog’s health. In both cases, remember to moderate the feed of plantains as too much consumption can lead to health issues in your dog.

Plantains contain too many good properties which are good for your furry pal. They have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which can help your dog if he is suffering from arthritis. Also, plantains help to cure digestive issues in your dog. At the same time, many people get confused between plantain and plantain lily. Whereas the first one is good for your dog’s health the latter is toxic and should be completely refrained.

What are the health benefits of plantains for your dog?

As already stated above plantains are known as an excellent source of fiber that helps keep your digestive system in order. Plantains being anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory is also known to be a good agent to treat kennel cough of your dogs. The consistency of potassium in plantain is considered good for your pet’s heart health.

The sugar level in plantains is comparatively lower than in bananas hence there is no worry at that front while feeding your dog. But you should remember that the peel should not be fed to your furry pal as the same is too fibrous for your pat to digest. Plantains are vitamin-rich and will help enhance the quality of your dog’s health.

Are there any side effects of plantains for your dog?

It is quite unfortunate but true that even though the plantains are a good source of fiber and help in digestive issues of your pet, at the same time overeaten and uncooked plantains may cause digestive issues and diarrhea in your dog.

Plantains being not toxic, there is little to worry about any ill effects caused in your pet. But a sensitive or less healthy dog who eats plenty of plantains may develop digestive issues and cough out a few of them in the process of excreting extra ones out.

What is the ideal quantity of plantains for your dog?

Consider the addition of plantains into your dog’s appetite as a supplement or appetizer. Always remember to feed your dog a little number of plantains and refrain from overfeeding them with it. Many dog owners tend to carried away by the fact that plantains being rich in fiber and vitamins, they should feed their dog plantains daily. But this is wrong, you should not make plantains a part of your dog’s daily diet and also remember to feed them boiled or steamed plantains rather than raw as it might be harmful to your dog’s health.

A large breed dog can afford to have a large piece of plantains whereas old and small breed dogs should be fed smashed plantains as otherwise large pieces of plantains might get choked in their throat leading to breathlessness. Unfortunately, if you come across such a situation, rush your dog to the nearest veterinarian for immediate medical attention.

Always prefer to introduce anything new to your dog’s food gradually as this will help you assess how it is reacting to your furry pal’s health. Start with a single piece of cooked plantains and see how it works. Many dogs tend to smell anything new which is added into their appetite, if your dog smells the plantains and shows no interest in consuming it, avoid it immediately.

Can your dog eat fried plantains?

No, it is not recommended to feed your dog fried plantains as they are rich in fat. Excessive intake of fat by your dog may lead to obesity and many other liver ailments. Though many dog owners feed their dog fried plantains as a treat or snack, it is truly not a healthy option for your pet.

You should consult your veterinarian to understand the right amount of nutrition and fat required for your dog. If you love your dog and want to see him lead a healthy life, refrain from feeding your dog from fried or fatty food as it might prove harmful to your dog’s health in the long run.

Let us try and understand the nutrition value of fried plantains. You will be surprised to know that 100 gms of fried plantains contains approximately 500 calories, 10 gms of protein, 100 gms of carbohydrates, 10 gms of fiber, 15 gms of sugar, and 25 gms of fat. With this data, it will be clear by now to you that an overfeeding or even feeding fried plantains to your dog especially to the small breed and the older one will deteriorate their health poorly.

Wrap up

Plantains are good rugged fruit full of fibers and vitamins. It is good for your dog if served cooked and in small quantities. You should monitor your dog for any unusual symptoms after consuming plantains for the first time. If you observe anything different, take your pet to the vet at the earliest for diagnosis. Plantains normally enhance the health of your dog if fed in a moderated manner and can increase the energy level and lifespan of your dog.

Being a responsible pet owner, you should be more vigilant while feeding your dog anything new. Every dog or its breed is different and might react to food items in a diversified manner. Hence, if you see a dog reacting well to plantains, you cannot expect the same from another and cannot start feeding plantains right away.

Dogs are no different than humans and they should be treated the same way while experimenting with any food items. By being a little careful and vigilant in your furry pal’s diet plan you will help him live a healthier life with you.