Can Dogs Eat Plantains? What You Need To Know (2024)

This guide will tell you everything you ever wondered about dogs and plantains. Can dogs eat plantains? Keep reading to find out!

They are a cousin to the banana, with a different taste and texture. So can dogs eat them? Keep reading to find out.

For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating plantains.

Can Dogs Eat Plantains

Have you ever seen plantains at the grocery store and wondered what they are? Plantains look just like larger bananas. They are a fruit that you have to cook and eat like a vegetable. They are hard to peel and must be cooked because they cannot be eaten raw.

Since they are a fruit, they are very nutritious for humans – but are they good for dogs? The short answer is that yes – dogs can eat plantains, but they must be cooked and you cannot serve them in large quantities.

Let’s look even closer at this tropical fruit and how safe they are for your pet.

Are Plantains Good For Dogs

In moderation, plantains have lots of nutritional benefits for dogs. They are high in vitamin C – which is fantastic for their immune system. They are also a source of potassium and magnesium.

As humans, we love eating high-fiber foods and plantains are really high in natural fiber. This fiber isn’t so great for your pet, however.

Are Plantains Bad For Dogs

There is nothing toxic about plantains for dogs. They do have a lot of fiber and a lot of natural sugars (carbs) too.

A dog’s digestive system is more sensitive to fiber. Too much fiber could give them diarrhea. This is why it is always a good idea to limit how much fiber they eat each day.

If your dog has blood sugar issues, you should probably keep them away from fruit, including plantains.

Another concern with the sugar in plantains is that if your dog eats a diet high in sugar and carbs, it could make them gain more weight. The weight gain could lead to other health issues like diabetes and heart disease.

Can Dogs Eat Plantain Bananas

There are lots of different parts of the plantain bananas, so let’s look at all of them to see how safe they are for your pet.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Plantains

Do not let your dog eat raw plantains. Chances are they won’t even try to eat them raw since they are very tough and don’t taste very good until you cook them.

Raw plantains are not toxic, they just have too much fiber and starch for your dog’s stomach to digest easily. Eating raw plantains might give them an upset stomach.

Can Dogs Eat Green Plantains

When plantains are not ripe yet, they have a green color. When they are unripe, they aren’t as sweet. Yes, it is safe to cook green plantains for your dog.

Use dog-safe methods when cooking them. Further below I’ll share details about the safest ways to cook plantains for your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Yellow Plantains

As plantains ripen, they turn more yellow (just like bananas). So, if you have ever wondered, “can dogs eat ripe plantains” the answer is yes!

As the plantains turn more yellow, they also become a lot sweeter. Your dog might enjoy eating a cooked yellow or ripe plantain more than a green one.

Can dogs eat sweet plantains? Yes, as long as they are sweet from being ripe, not sweet from adding sugar. You should never add sugar to a dog’s food or treats.

Can Dogs Eat Plantain Peel

No, do not let your dog eat the plantain peel. It has way too much fiber for your dog’s stomach to properly digest. It might give them an upset stomach. You should always peel the plantains before you cook them.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Plantains

Yes, the best and safest way to share plantains with your dog is by cooking them. These are the most common ways to cook them and how to do it safely.

Can Dogs Eat Boiled Plantains

Yes, the safest way to cook plantains for dogs is by boiling them. This breaks down the fibers in the plantains and makes them easier for your dog to eat.

Always use a minimal amount of salt and don’t use any harmful herbs or spices.

Can Dogs Eat Plantain Chips

Yes, dogs can safely eat plantain chips as long as they don’t have too much salt or any harmful spices on them. Dogs should not eat garlic, onion, or anything spicy like chili powder.

Can Dogs Eat Fried Plantains

Fried foods are not good for dogs. While a few bites once in a while might not hurt your pet, fried foods contain too much unhealthy fats and could increase their risk for heart disease or unhealthy weight gain.

Can Dogs Eat Plantain Lily

The hosta is also known as a plantain lily. This is not the same plant that grows bananas. It is a perennial with thick green leaves. Do not let your dog eat the leaves of this plant. It is toxic for dogs. If you think your dog at plantain lily leaves, please contact your veterinarian.

Can Dogs Eat Plantain Leaves

Another plant with the plantain name is the “Broadleaf Plantain.” It is another perennial plant and it doesn’t bear fruit. There are lots of recipes out there for us humans that claim this weed can help with indigestion or even help heal wounds.

Can Dogs Eat Plantain Weed

Plantain weed (Plantago major) is a broadleaf weed with large, oval-shaped leaves.

Dogs should not eat plantain weed. It has too much fiber in it for it to be completely safe for them. Even though it is non-toxic, you should not give them these leaves to eat.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, plantains are actually pretty safe for dogs, as long as you prepare them correctly. Always peel them and don’t let dogs eat them raw. When you cook them, don’t use too much salt and always keep unsafe spices or harmful amounts of sugar out of the recipe.

These can be a fun thing to share with your dog, as long as you do it in moderation.

More Dog Food Resources

Here are some articles about other human foods and whether they are safe or toxic for your dog to eat.

• Can Dogs Eat Artichokes
• Can Dogs Eat Honeydew
• Can Dogs Eat Lychee
• Can Dogs Eat Rhubarb
• Can Dogs Eat Tater Tots
• Can Dogs Eat Yams

Find even more articles onhuman food dogs can and can’t eathere on Spoiled Hounds!

📌 Pin this to save and share 📌