I wanted a new dog before summer. It had to be a husky since I've seen many around our home. However, I wasn't sure what huskies could eat and what they could not. Can huskies eat bananas, among other fruits? I wondered.
Upon extensive research, here are my findings.
Huskies eat bananas. Bananas aren't bad for huskies as long as they’re taken often and in moderation. They contain magnesium, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber necessary for their growth. Also, huskies can take pears, apples, and strawberries, but not toxic ones such as currants, grapes, figs, and raisins.
Can Huskies Eat Bananas? What Are the Available Nutrients?
Banana, when given in the correct quantity, is healthy for your husky dog.
The available nutrients make bananas suitable for husky dogs. These vitals include the following:
Potassium
Among the many nutrients bananas have, is potassium. The mineral is the most abundant in the Husky's body.
This nutrient is necessary for muscle growth and the strength required by your dog to grow and do exercises. For energetic dog breeds like huskies, muscle wellness is essential.
Additional benefits of this vital nutrient to your husky are as follows.
- Assists in the breakdown of carbohydrates and fats for better digestion and absorption of nutrients from meals
- Boost your Husky's brain functionality which enables him to learn and remember commands and tricks quickly.
- Aids in the creation and maintenance of your dog's solid teeth and bones
Helps out in the proper functionality of the liver, kidney, and heart of your husky
Magnesium
Of all the nutrients in huskies' bodies, magnesium is the second-ranking in abundance. This mineral is essential in its functionality.
Heart disorders, trouble walking, muscle weakness, and muscle pains are magnesium deficiencies.
Due to the tons of benefits this mineral has, you should regularly include it in your dog's meals. Whole grains, cashews, almonds, and quinoa also contain calcium.
Vitamin C
Bananas contain this natural antioxidant, also known as ascorbic acid. Vitamin C has several benefits for your husky, as outlined below.
- Boosts your dog's immunity by enhancing the functioning of the white blood cells
- Repair of the damaged cells
- Minimizes the risk of diseases like cancer, gum, and tooth
- Assists in quick recovery from sicknesses and injuries
Additionally, vitamin C deficiency can cause physical and emotional anxiety in your husky.
Other foods rich in vitamin C include broccoli, strawberries, pineapples, and yellow peppers.
Vitamin E
The nutrient is a natural antioxidant. It's vital in the promotion of your Husky's thick and healthy skin. Although huskies naturally have thick coats, vitamin E makes them shiny and healthy.
Additionally, it has the following benefits:
- Boosts your dog's immunity and offers protection from infections
- Essential for high-quality eyesight and reduces chances of cataracts in the future
- Increases Husky's fertility
- Aids the proper blood circulation of your husky, preventing him from cardiovascular problems
Other sources of vitamin C include sunflower oils, olives, leafy greens, and coconuts.
Vitamin B6
This mineral is exceptionally healthy for your Husky's overall health. It promotes the production of the red blood cells essential for proper brain functioning.
B6 also plays a crucial role in manufacturing hormones, neurotransmitters, and proteins in your dog.
Vitamin B6 deficiency is a significant cause of heart disease. Additionally, it stabilizes thyroid and blood sugar level issues, assisting your dog with insulin resistance problems.
Other vitamin B6-rich foods are eggs, meat, spinach, fish, carrots, broccoli, soybeans, avocados, and whole grain.
Fiber
The nutrient is crucial for your dog's digestive system and contributes towards maintaining a healthy weight. Fiber also reduces the risk of diarrhea, diabetes, and constipation.
Also, the essential nutrient is available in pumpkins, brown rice, and various vegetables.
How Frequently Should Your Husky Feed On Bananas?
Bananas carry tons of nutrients that are beneficial to your dog. Nonetheless, you shouldn't feed your feed husky with too much of it.
Hence, you should offer your husky bananas as treats and not as a meal substitute. In this case, you can give him half to a whole piece once daily.
Feeding your dog bananas more frequently can result in an unhealthy diet. An unbalanced diet may lead to health issues like constipation, and even worse, it can increase the chances of being diabetic.
Too much of this fruit may also cause digestion complications of other foods, especially the hard ones.
As a result of the high potassium levels in a banana, eating in excess may also lead to a condition known as hyperkalemia.
When Do You Introduce Bananas To Husky?
You can use bananas in place of salt and high-sodium treats on your husky if it has a potassium deficiency. One of the best ways to do the introduction is by mixing them with peanut butter. This familiarizes your dog with the new taste of bananas.
Even though you are doing it for supplementation purposes, remember not to overfeed your husky due to the high sugar content.
The best introduction timing is when your dog is still young. The various vitamins contained in a banana facilitate the growth of your puppy.
Also, the vitamin B6 found in bananas helps in protein synthesis and improves your Husky's neural health and mood. For mature dogs, use bananas as homemade treats during training.
Are There Side Effects of Feeding Huskies Bananas?
There is no doubt that bananas are very beneficial to your dog. However, there are side effects that come with overfeeding your husky with bananas.
The high sugar levels of bananas can negatively affect your dog's blood sugar level causing prolonged liver-associated issues. Elevated levels of sugar also increase the risk of diabetes in your dog.
Constipation is another side effect of eating too many bananas by your husky, especially when they have not completed the ripening cycle. This condition results from the inability of your dog to handle large amounts of potassium, which is uncomfortable and very painful.
Too many bananas may also cause a disorder known as hyperkalemia in your husky. The condition results from excess potassium in the blood leading to your dog's heart health complications.
Some of this disorder's indications include collapsing, weakness, and flaccid paralysis. If not attended to immediately, flaccid paralysis may cause limping of your husky.
It's essential to identify diet-related changes like puking and poor appetite in your dog and withdraw banana-eating for some time. If the problem ceases, then the bananas are the triggering factor, and if the issues persist, seek medical advice.
Throwing up may also result from eating bananas with their peels. Though the peels are not toxic, they have thick fiber that is difficult to digest.
In Which Ways Can You Feed Your Husky Bananas?
There are various means by which you can use to get your canine friend to eat bananas. These will include homemade treats, frozen slices, banana- peanut butter combination, and banana mash in food.
Let's get to understand each way.
Homemade Treats
As there are many homemade banana treats on the internet, search for one and use it for your husky. You can mix your bananas with yogurt or natural peanut butter plus oat flour in a bowl to form a nutritious cookie treat for your dog.
Frozen Banana Slices
Slicing up a banana for your husky makes it for him to eat. Frozen ones are even better during hot weather seasons. The bananas are to be frozen whole and then sliced when feeding your dog.
Banana- Peanut Butter Mix
Due to the dog's strong liking of peanut butter, adding it to bananas is a great idea. The treat is suitable for your dog during training as it provides him with the required energy.
Food- Banana Mash Mix
If your dog dislikes whole bananas, you can mash them and mix his food. The banana sweetens your Husky's food, and he will really enjoy it. Remember not to do it in excess due to the high sugar content.
What Happens If Your Husky Eats Unpeeled Banana?
If your dog consumes a banana with its peels, there is no cause for alarm. Though the peels are tough to digest, they are non-toxic to your husky.
It's advisable to monitor his reaction closely after the incident, as the peels may be rough on your dog's tummy. So, call a vet if you notice diarrhea or vomiting. And, of course, keep bananas out of reach of your husky.
Conclusion
Huskies will enjoy every slice of a banana. Besides being tasty, it's essential for his overall health as it contains various vitamins and fiber. This fruit is a healthy treat for your dog, and you can use it instead of salty and store-bought treats during training.
However, you shouldn't overfeed your husky with bananas. Excessive intake of the fruit may lead to your dog developing health problems.
Also, it's crucial to identify the means of feeding that best suits your husky and be keen on any health changes after the banana-inclusive meal.
