Bananas are known as very healthy fruit. They provide many valuable nutrients and taste good to most people. But are they also suitable for dogs? Can Maltese eat bananas?
Maltese can eat bananas. They are a great source of potassium, biotin, fiber, copper, and vitamins for your Maltese. However, you should make sure that he does not eat too many bananas, as this can lead to health problems and obesity. Bananas contain a lot of sugar, so it is better to give them only as a treat.
So bananas are healthy for Maltese as long as they are fed in moderation and not too often. Most Maltese are quite fond of bananas and other fruits as well.
In this article, we will take a closer look at whether Maltese can eat bananas, whether they can also eat the banana peels, and exactly what nutrients bananas contain.
We also explain the best way to give bananas to your Maltese and when not to give him bananas.
Finally, we also tell you which fruits and vegetables Maltese can and cannot eat. Some fruits and vegetables common for humans are quite dangerous for dogs.
Can Maltese Eat Bananas?
Maltese may eat bananas. Bananas contain not only low cholesterol and sodium but also many valuable vitamins, potassium, fiber, biotin, and copper.
They are very healthy for both humans and dogs. However, they also have a big disadvantage that excludes them as regular food. Bananas contain a lot of sugar.
Maltese should not consume a lot of sugar. Sugar can lead to obesity, diabetes, bladder and kidney problems, dental problems, and even depression in the long run. In the short term, it can also make your Maltese hyperactive.
The best solution is to give your Maltese bananas only as a treat. Do not incorporate them into your dog’s regular meals. As an occasional treat, bananas can enfold their positive effects without the long-term negative consequences.
Can Maltese Eat Banana Peels?
Maltese should not eat banana peels. Even though they are not toxic to them, it is still hard for them to eat banana peels.
Banana peels are also hard to digest and can also cause blockage. So skip the banana peel if you want to treat your Maltese to bananas.
Banana peels also don’t contain as many of the valuable nutrients that your Maltese would benefit from. Poorer digestibility and fewer nutrients make the banana peel a thing you can do well without when feeding.
What Nutrients Do Bananas Contain?
We have already mentioned several times that bananas contain valuable nutrients. But what exactly are these nutrients? And how much of them do bananas contain?
In the following table, you will find the list of nutrients per 100g banana.
| Nutrients in Bananas | Amounts per 100g |
| Calories | 95 |
| Carbohydrates | 21 grams |
| Protein | 1.1 grams |
| Fat | 0.3 grams |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 grams |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.04 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.07 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.6 mg |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.47 mg |
| Vitamin C | 12 mg |
| Folate | 23 mcg |
| Potassium | 380 mg |
| Calcium | 8 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Phosphorus | 22 mg |
| Zinc | 0.2 mg |
What Are the Health Benefits of Bananas for Your Maltese?
Bananas have some health benefits for your Maltese. And although Maltese are considered fairly healthy dogs, they also need nutrients. Let’s go through each of the benefits.
- Vitamin B6: Improves blood formation and oxygen transport.
- Vitamin C: Prevents cell damage and strengthens the immune system.
- Magnesium: Helps with protein formation
- Fiber: Helps your Maltese with bowel movements
- Potassium: Regulates your Maltese’s water balance, helps balance electrolytes in the body, and regulates acid-base balance.
In addition, studies have shown that bananas can protect your Maltese’s stomach from ulcers, acid secretion, and stomach sores. And they also reduce the risk of bladder infections.
Besides, bananas can also help your Maltese recover and regain his strength if he was sick. If your Maltese has a weak stomach when he is sick, bananas are also a gentle meal for such times.
Can Maltese Be Allergic to Bananas?
Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to food. There are cases when Maltese are allergic to bananas. However, banana allergy is not the most common allergy in Maltese.
More common is that they are allergic to dairy products, chicken, fish, beef, corn, or certain grains. But it also often happens that a food allergy is accompanied by other food allergies.
If you suspect that your Maltese is allergic to bananas, you should talk to your veterinarian.
To help you identify if your Maltese has an allergy, here are the main symptoms of allergies in Maltese:
- Hair loss
- Thinning coat
- Dull coat
- Ear inflammation
- Eye discharge
- Dry and itchy skin
- Intense scratching
- Rash on the skin
- Chewing on oneself
- Coughing
- Wheezing sounds
- Restless stomach
- Vomiting
How to Feed Your Maltese Bananas?
Now that you know you can give your Maltese bananas, you may be wondering how best to serve them to him. There are many different ways you can do that.
- Banana Slices: This is the easiest way to feed your Maltese bananas. Peel finach the banana and cut it into small slices. You then give these to your Maltese.
- Mashed Bananas in Regular Food: This is another very easy way. Mash the banana and mix it in the regular dog food. You can also rub the individual chunks of dog food with the mashed banana. In this way, you will make the regular dog food new and exciting again for your Maltese.
- Stuffed in Your Maltese’s Toy: There are special toys for dogs that you can hide treats in. This is a fun way for the dog to get his treats. You can even stuff mashed bananas into this KONG Dog Toy*. Your Maltese can then get his healthy snack in a playful way.
- Frozen Banana Slices: This is especially popular in the summer. Peel the banana and pack it in the freezer for a few hours. You should cut the banana into small slices either before or after freezing so your Maltese doesn’t choke on it.
- Banana Ice Cream: Everyone likes banana ice cream. Your Maltese will love it too. Just mix a mashed banana with yogurt, chopped strawberries and a little peanut butter, stir the mixture well and put it in the freezer for a while. As with all banana snacks, don’t give your Maltese too much. And be careful not to eat all the ice cream yourself!
There are many more ways you can serve your Maltese a banana. You can also prepare the banana in the oven or bake delicious dog cookies with banana and peanut butter.
The possibilities are endless. You should just make sure that you do not use spices and also salt. Both have no place in dog food.
When Should Your Maltese not Eat Bananas?
There are several conditions in which your Maltese should not eat bananas. These all relate to different pre-existing conditions.
If your Maltese suffers from diabetes, bananas are taboo for him. They contain sugar and would harm your Maltese.
Also, if your Maltese has kidney problems, he should not eat bananas. The kidneys then cannot break down the potassium, which is very rich in bananas. It then accumulates in the blood of your Maltese.
Another condition where Maltese should not eat bananas is hypoadrenocorticism, better known as Addison’s disease. This is a disease caused mainly by destroyed adrenal tissue. Fortunately, this disease is rather rare in Maltese.
If you feel that your dog is eating too many bananas or are not sure whether he should be eating bananas, you should consult your vet. He will examine your Maltese and can give you good advice afterward.
What Fruits and Vegetables Can Maltese Eat?
There are many fruits that your Maltese can safely eat. Most fruits are very healthy and give your Maltese many of the nutrients he needs.
However, keep in mind that many fruits contain sugar and therefore should only be eaten in moderation. The following list includes fruits that your Maltese can eat:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cranberries
- Cucumber
- Mango
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Pears
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watenmelon
Your Maltese may also eat vegetables. However, even with vegetables, there are certain types that he may eat and others that he may not. Here are the vegetables that your Maltese can eat:
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Celery
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Spinach
What Fruits and Vegetables Should Maltese Not Eat?
However, there are fruits and vegetables that Maltese are not allowed to eat. Either because they are not good for him, or because they can even be poisonous for him.
Among them are also many fruits and vegetables that people can eat without any problems. While these are not harmful to humans, they can cause great harm to the Maltese.
Also, keep in mind that Maltese is much smaller than humans and therefore much fewer toxins are enough to harm him.
Here are the fruits that Maltese should not eat:
- Avocado: Avocado contains persin, a toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in Maltese.
- Cherries: cherries contain cyanide, which is dangerous to dogs. It can affect oxygen transport in the blood and cause your Maltese to not get enough oxygen.
- Grapes: Grapes are very dangerous for dogs. They can even cause acute kidney failure in dogs. Also, never give your Maltese grapes.
- Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts are also toxic to your Maltese. It is not yet known what poison is working there, but eating them will cause vomiting, hyperthermia, weakness, ataxia and depression.
- Tomatoes: Red tomatoes are actually safe for dogs, but the green parts can contain a toxin called solanine.
And here is the list of vegetables that Maltese should not eat:
- Asparagus: Asparagus is not toxic to Maltese, but it is very hard for them to eat. Therefore, it is best to just leave asparagus out.
- Mushrooms: Mushrooms can be dangerous for dogs. Only a small portion of the known mushrooms are edible. You should also make sure that your Maltese does not find mushrooms in your backyard or eat mushrooms while walking. This could otherwise be fatal for him.
- Onions: Maltese should never eat onions. Onions are a member of the Allium family, which are poisonous to most animals. Leeks and chives are also off limits for your Maltese.
Conclusion: Can Maltese Eat Bananas?
Maltese may eat bananas and some other fruits. However, you should do this only in moderation. fruits contain many valuable nutrients, but also sugar. This can make your Maltese sick or overweight.
It is best to give him bananas only as an occasional treat. You should not include them in regular meals. There are various vegetables that are better for this.
If you only treat your Maltese to a tasty piece of banana every now and then, he will not only enjoy it but also benefit from the good nutrients.