If you are not 100% sure if the food you are about to feed your dog is safe, better check twice and research. Even if that fruit and vegetable is something that you healthily eat, the same might not be true for your little furry friends. Or it might be good for them only when prepared in a specific manner.
How about the tried and tested plantain? Is this power-packed fruit good for them? Let’s find out.
Plantain 101
What are plantains? Yes, they look like bananas because both of them are part of that family. However, there are a few distinguishable qualities of plantain.
When it comes to appearance, plantains are bigger than your average banana. In terms of color, even if they are ripe, their skin will still sport green. In terms of taste, it is starchier and less sweet than its cousin that makes it a good food choice for health-conscious eaters.
This native fruit in India and the Caribbean, however, are treated more like vegetables than fruits. Also called “vegetable bananas” or “cooking bananas”, plantains are usually not eaten raw because of its high starch content. Unlike bananas that can be eaten on-the-go, plantains are usually cooked as plantain chips as a healthy alternative to potato chips.
In the Caribbean, Latin and African restaurants, it is served as a savory dish by roasting, frying or baking it. If you know Tostones or Tajaditas Dulces de Platano, that’s it!
Keep in mind that the plantain fruit (Musa paradisiaca) is different from the plantain lily (Hosta plantaginea). The latter is entirely different. A very popular perennial and used as decorative foliage, it is a large hosta (“forbidden fruit”) with blue-green edges and a golden center. It also doesn’t bear fruit. Keep your dogs, cats and even horses to plantain lily as it is toxic for them. According to ASPCA, poisoning from this plant can cause depression, diarrhea and vomiting.
This article covers the plantain fruit and not the dangerous plantain lily.
Can Dogs Safely Eat Plantains?
Yes, definitely. Plantains, cousins of bananas, are not toxic to dogs. Even the bananas are also safe for dogs. But it doesn’t mean that you should get the plantain you see right away and feed it to them. Read along so that you know the safest way to prepare plantains for your dogs.
Nutritional Benefits of Plantain for Dogs
There is a lot of good loot plantain that brings to the world and even to our pets. First, as a healthier option to bananas, it is lower in sugar content. It is also a good source of fiber that helps regulate your dog’s bowel movement improving its digestive health. Paradoxically, too much of it can cause diarrhea.
It is also loaded with potassium that helps lower cholesterol, controls their heart rate and blood pressure giving way for a healthier heart.
Plantains also have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Its antiseptic properties help protect its digestive system against common foodborne illnesses and at the same time, it is also found to cure kennel cough and arthritis. That said, it is great for their immune system.
Kinds of Plantain to Feed Dogs
Keep in mind never to feed dogs the following forms of plantains:
● Raw Plantain
Plantains are not to be eaten raw, even for us humans. It is a cooking banana, remember? For dogs also, it can cause a choking hazard when uncooked.
● Fried Plantain
Do not feed your furry friends fried plantain because it is unhealthy for them. Just imagine the fats in oil in preparing this. Their small bodies do not need these!
Since fat is important in their diet, talk to your vet about its daily recommended intake.
So if you have fried plantains, just gobble it all by yourself or with friends— not including your furry ones.
● Plantain Chips
This sweet and salty on-the-go snack is a great option for us humans. For our fuzzy dogs, think again! Plantain chips are also high in fat and sodium. Worse, some commercial variants even contain spices such as onion, garlic, pepper and cayenne bad for them.
Just like with your fried plantains, keep the chips out of your dog’s sight (and mouth!).
Preparing and Feeding Dogs Plantain
So if raw plantain is not recommended as well as the fried and chips version, how is it best served? How much plantain is also recommended for them?
● Introducing Plantain to Your Dog
Before you actually prepare one, check first if your dog likes it. Start by letting them sniff a small portion of it. If they are interested, head on to the next step: preparation. Or, prepare a few cooked plantains for them and slowly introduce it to see if they will enjoy it.
Once they eat a small portion, check after for possible reactions like stomach ache and loose stools. For pups, because their bodies are still developing, there is also a slight risk of gastrointestinal upset so watch out.
● Preparing Plantain for Dogs
Always cook plantains by boiling or steaming it before serving them to your dogs. Once boiled or steamed, dice it into small pieces or even smash it for easier absorption and to prevent a choking hazard.
Skip also the seasoning part. Foods for dogs should always be served plain.
● Plantain Serving Size for Dogs
While plantains are very healthy, it must be served moderately to your dogs. As mentioned, too many plantains are counter-productive as it can cause digestive discomfort.
For large dogs, serve only half of the cooked plantains. For a smaller one, cut the half into another half.
Treat also plantains as “treats” for your dogs. Therefore, it should only be 10% of their diet. Besides, their high-quality dog food should make up for most of their dietary needs.
● Incorporating Plantain in Your Dog’s Meal
To incorporate plantain in your dog’s diet, top it up in their regular dry food. You can also feed the cooked plantain as is.
Conclusion
To sum it up, yes plantains are healthy for our dogs. Just remember to boil or steam it first before feeding in moderation. Never also attempt to feed them raw or fried plantains as those are bad bananas.
Aside from good food, make sure you also give your dogs the best tender loving care and they are well on their way of living healthy and happy.
Wuffes Advanced Dog Hip and Joint Supplement with Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Omega 3, MSM, and Green Lipped Mussel, 60 Pork Flavored Chews for Small and Medium Dog Breeds
$38.95 ($38.95 / Count) (as of April 13, 2025 20:12 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Pee Pads with Leak-Proof Quick-Dry Design for Potty Training, Standard Absorbency, Regular Size, 22 x 22 Inches, Pack of 100, Blue & White
$20.99 ($0.21 / Count) (as of April 13, 2025 16:56 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
CESAR Adult Wet Dog Food Classic Loaf in Sauce Grilled Chicken, Filet Mignon, Porterhouse Steak, Beef, Chicken & Liver and Turkey Variety Pack, 3.5 oz. Easy Peel Trays, Pack of 36
26% Off
Nutramax Laboratories Cosequin Maximum Strength Joint Health Supplement for Dogs - With Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM, 132 Chewable Tablets
$36.98 ($0.28 / Count) (as of April 13, 2025 16:56 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Leave a Reply