Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread?

Whenever I find myself in the kitchen trying to make or bake something, my dog Ricco is always with me. He has this crazy obsession with baked goods and adores banana bread, sponge cake, and the combo of flour, eggs, and sugar. I used to give him a piece of banana bread as it’s not harmful to him, but really it does nothing good other than spoil him. So if you’re here looking for an answer to whether dogs can eat banana bread, the answer is they can, but they shouldn’t.

Table Of Contents

Types of banana bread and whether dogs can eat them
Banana bread with artificial sweeteners
What to do if your dog eats a lot of banana bread
FAQs

While banana bread isn’t toxic, and nothing terrible will happen if your dog sneaks a piece, it’s not good for them. When I wrote about whether dogs can eat cornbread, I broke down all the ingredients to show you that there’s really nothing toxic in these home baked goods. They just lack beneficial nutrients, which can make them fat and sluggish. Plus, they might get addicted to the sugar and refuse their regular kibble. There have been cases where dogs ate a whole loaf of banana bread, and nothing serious happened. The main issues are the sugar and fat, so while it’s not harmful, it’s best not to give it to them deliberately as a treat.

Types of banana bread and whether dogs can eat them

There’s nothing toxic in banana bread, and bananas are actually healthy for dogs and a common ingredient in many homemade dog treats. However, store-bought banana breads can be full of fat (like palm oil) and sometimes have nuts or raisins that are not healthy for dogs.

Walnut banana bread

Can dogs eat it? No, they shouldn’t.

Why? Walnuts can be toxic to dogs and may cause digestive issues. They can also be a choking hazard.

With pecans

Can dogs eat it? No, they shouldn’t.

Why? Pecans, in small amounts, contain a toxin called juglone, which can be harmful to dogs. They also have a high-fat content, which can lead to pancreatitis.

With chocolate chips

Can dogs eat it? Absolutely not.

Why? Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even more serious health problems like seizures or death.

Banana bread with raisins

Can dogs eat it? Absolutely not.

Why? Raisins are highly toxic to dogs and can cause serious kidney damage, even in small amounts.

None of these walnuts, pecans, or chocolate is toxic in small amounts

It’s a common misconception that one bite, and they’re done, but it really doesn’t work like this. These are not toxic immediately, even if you have a very small dog. However, we warn you not to give this to your dog, it doesn’t belong in their diet. Digestive upset is no joke, and there’s a compound effect.

Banana bread with artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, are extremely dangerous to dogs. Xylitol particularly can be lethal as it can cause a rapid release of insulin in their body, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Symptoms can include vomiting, loss of coordination, and even seizures. In severe cases, xylitol poisoning can lead to liver failure.

And if it has some other artificial sweetener, then you don’t have to worry that much, but still, it’s best you avoid them altogether. A group of artificial sweeteners called polyols, also known as sugar alcohols, are widely used in reduced-calorie foods and personal care products.

Erythritol and xylitol are two common polyols. While xylitol is highly toxic to dogs, erythritol is generally well-tolerated. Studies show that erythritol is safe for dogs even at relatively high doses, with no adverse effects reported. However, there are limited published studies on erythritol’s safety in dogs, so it’s best to avoid them. And in my opinion, we should avoid it too!

If you made regular banana bread without sweeteners, I expect you’ll have some stinky farts, smelly poop, and some unpleasant digestion, but you’ll also have one happy dog!

What to do if your dog eats a lot of banana bread

If your dog eats a whole loaf of banana bread, don’t panic. Unless the bread is made with artificial sweetener xylitol, there’s generally nothing you need to do immediately. However, you should keep an eye out for:

Diarrhea

Increased thirst

Smelly or runny poop

Sluggish behavior

These are signs that your dog’s digestive system is struggling with the high sugar and fat content of banana bread. Make sure their next meal is something nutritious like chicken meat, cooked beef, and their regular kibble to help settle their stomach and provide balanced nutrition. If you notice any severe symptoms or if the bread contains harmful ingredients like xylitol, chocolate, or raisins, contact your vet immediately.

Banana bread is a high-calorie treat and really a dessert that’s not good for dogs because it’s loaded with butter, fat, and sugar. If your dog eats banana bread, I don’t think you should panic, assuming you didn’t use too many ingredients with potential toxicity—I’m mostly thinking about artificial sweeteners, chocolate, or raisins.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat banana nut bread?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat banana nut bread. Nuts like walnuts and pecans can be toxic to dogs, and they are not fun to digest, and they can upset their stomach.

Is banana bread toxic for dogs?

Banana bread itself isn’t toxic to dogs, but it’s not good for them either. It’s full of sugar and fat, two main culprits for weight gain and other health issues. Additionally, some ingredients commonly found in banana bread, like xylitol, chocolate, or raisins, are toxic to dogs and should be avoided.