Here is one of the common questions among dog owners – Can Dogs Eat Plantain or Not?
The short answer is YES, but what matters is the way you give this fruit, the amount, what are the benefits of plantain, and how your dog can react if you overdo it with this fruit.
Dog owners carefully choose food for their pets. There are also those who know how important diversity in pet nutrition is.
So keep reading the article in order to find out how much plantain is safe for your dog.
There is no need to be afraid of what will happen to your dog if he ate this fruit. You are certainly not going to poison or seriously injure him in any way.
Contrary to popular belief, in the text below, we bring a number of reasons to add this plantain to your pet’s diet.
What is Plantain?
Plantain is a fruit, that strongly resembles a banana, but only resembles it. It also grows on a tree but is much longer than a banana.
The bark of plantain is thinner, and this fruit contains more starch. It is different from fruit, because we cook it like a vegetable, instead of eating it raw.
Can Dogs Eat Plantain and What are Their Benefits?
In terms of calories, plantain is very similar to potatoes because of the starch it contains. Unlike bananas, it does not taste pleasant in its raw form.
If you wonder can your dog eat plantain just think of the important vitamins and ingredients it contains:
• Vitamins A and B-6
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Vitamin C
• Antioxidants
What is so good about plantains?
Scientists have discovered many good things about plantain. Not only is it healthy, and rich in vitamins, but it can help your pet with a number of problems.
- Plantain helps in case your dog has an ulcer
- Plantain has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties
- Helps with bronchitis by relieving cough
- It is rich in fiber that improves digestion and is healthy for the intestines
- Protects against foodborne pathogens, such as Bacillus subtilus or Staphylococcus aureus
- In case the dog has eaten an object, plantain can help to expel it from the body more easily
- Contains potassium, which is especially useful for puppies
What is the ideal amount of plantain for your dog?
Now that you know the answer to the question can dogs eat plantain, it is important to know what the right amount is, so you can avoid problems such as your dog getting diarrhea from food.
First cook the plantain, and then, little by little, add it to the dog’s food. The fact is that plantain contains a lot of fiber and vitamins, but it is not good to overdo it, especially not in the beginning.
The best way to prepare plantain for your dog
Start slowly by adding plantain to your dog’s diet. The best way is to buy a smaller amount. There is no need to buy a few pounds, which will fail if you do not intend to eat this fruit.
Always cook plantain, because it has too much starch, so it is difficult to digest raw.
It is important to cook them for up to 30 minutes until they become sweet.
For the first time, just add a little plantain to the portion you normally give for one meal. You can combine the fruit with the meat so that the dog does not feel a change in taste.
There is a chance that he will not like it or that he will like it after a few times. It is up to you whether you are persistent or give up right away.
Are there some “side effects” of plantains for your dog?
It all depends on you as the owner and your information.
In addition to the many benefits of this unusual fruit, plantain can cause certain disturbances and problems in more sensitive dogs or certain breeds of dogs.
We have already written above about how good plantain can be for intestines and digestion, but if you do not process it thermally or the dog overeats, you will create a counter-effect.
Excessive amounts of this fruit can cause indigestion and diarrhea in your dog. Pay special attention if your dog is ill or more sensitive.
Some dogs are food intolerant or got allergies, so there is a (small) possibility for your dog to experience diarrhea. Any kind of changes in your dog’s diet can cause your dog to develop diarrhea.
Can dogs eat plantain – raw, fried, or as chips?
Dogs can eat plantains, but not fried.
Just as it is not good for humans, fried food is not good for animals either.
Try not to give your pet either fried plantain or chips made of this fruit. Although chips look like an enticing snack, only 100 grams of chips contain 30 g of excess fat.
Does your pet really need so many empty calories?
Too much fat generally leads to liver problems, so although plantain has a great taste and lots of vitamins, fried is far from a healthy option.
Dangerous and Toxic Food for Your Dog
Unfortunately, not all fruits are like plantain or bananas. A lot of “healthy” food is not good for your dog.
Be careful when giving your dog any of the following foods:
- Grapes
- Onions
- Avocado
- Apricots
- Cherries
- Coleslaw
Grapes can be toxic to dogs, and cause kidney failure. Although the exact cause is not known, it is best not to give dogs grapes.
It is completely untrue that a dog that eats garlic will not have fleas or will not gain weight, which is a domesticated misconception among owners.
Dogs should not eat onions, especially garlic, in all forms – raw, powdered, cooked, or dehydrated.
A large intake of this vegetable endangers red blood cells, which can lead to anemia, but also vomiting, poor appetite, slowness, and difficulty breathing.
The reason for that is propyl sulfide in onions which is extremely harmful to the health of dogs.
Persin is a fungicidal toxin, present in the seeds and leaves of avocados. Persin can cause health problems in dogs and other animals.
Apricot seeds can cause problems for your dog as they contain small amounts of cyanide.
Cherries are extremely healthy, but in addition to the vitamins and antioxidants they contain, they also contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs.
The fleshy part of the cherry is not good for dogs either, because it can cause stomach upset.
Coleslaw is not the primary dog food and you should avoid it.
Does Fruit Make a Dog Fart?
Most fruit is generally safe for your dog if consumed in small amounts. How do dogs differ from us when it comes to digesting fruit?
Dogs lack enzymes that break down complex sugars, from fruits into simple ones, so gases can form in the intestines and make dog fart.
It’s not just fruit that is to blame for gas in dogs. Large amounts of air cause gases. When a dog eats greedily, too much air comes into the intestines, this is so-called aerophagia.
The pancreas produces bicarbonate, and on the other hand, the stomach produces acid. Together they create gas in the intestines.
The best fruits and veggies for your dog
We found out so far that dogs can eat plantain and bananas, but it is good to avoid giving them certain fruits and vegetables.
They are rich in vitamins, have few calories, rich in fiber and antioxidants. Some of them are a real treasure trove of health for your pet.
Here are some of the healthiest fruits and veggies for dogs:
- Apples – Vitamins A & C in a combination with fiber will keep your dog’s digestive system working fine. Don’t forget to remove the core and seeds giving your pet an apple.
- Bananas –Bananas are a superfood for dogs. You can find bananas in stores all year round, and you can give your dog fresh bananas. Bananas will serve as a treat and also help build muscle in your pet’s body. They contain vitamin B6 and vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and fiber. An excellent treat for dogs, full of vitamins, and low in calories. In addition to antioxidants, it contains fiber and vitamins C and K, which are great for boosting immunity.
- Mango as well as avocado or cherries this fruit contains a stone that is best to remove before giving it to the dog.
- Oranges – remove all the seeds before feeding the dog.
- Peaches – Give the dog small pieces of peach meat. It is an excellent source of fiber but also vitamin A.
- Pineapple – Pineapple is completely safe for your dog. It is sweet, and a great treat full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Of course, do not overdo it when giving the amount of pineapple.
- Strawberries – contain vitamin C, fiber, and whiten your dog’s teeth. We bet you didn’t know that J Since they contain sugar, be careful not to overdo it.
Read Also: Can Dogs Eat Hickory Nuts
Conclusion
Choosing food for your pet is a complex thing, but we made a conclusion so far – your pet needs a treat.
So no need to wonder can dog eat plantain, since they can safely consume it, like bananas, pineapples, and oranges. Just keep in mind that it is important to know how to set a limit and not overdo it.
We hope that we have helped you with this text and that from now on you will include plantain in its diet in combination with some other types of fruit.
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