So, Can Sheep Eat Bananas?

Despite living on a diet composed primarily of grass, hay, and other forage, sheep can eat fruits and vegetables, too.

Although not a regular component of their diet, adding a little bit of produce is a great way to break up the monotony for sheep that are eating the same old thing day in and day out, as well as give them some extra nutrition.

But how about tropical fruits, like bananas? Can sheep eat bananas?

Yes, sheep may safely eat bananas, but only as an occasional treat or supplement. Bananas provide a good variety of vitamins and minerals, but are quite high in sugar for sheep.

Consuming too many can lead to problems with gut health and diarrhea.

Sheep generally love the taste of bananas, and they are a good way to get some extra vitamins and minerals into their diet without too much protest.

However, you must mind the quantity, as allowing them to eat too many will easily make them sick and can potentially lead to more serious health problems. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about giving bananas to your sheep.

Health Benefits of Bananas for Sheep

Bananas are renowned for their delicious, sweet tropical flavor and there are certainly the most common and widely enjoyed tropical fruit in the world today.

But they aren’t just delicious, they’re all so highly nutritious, with a good complement of vitamins and minerals.

Bananas contain most of the B vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and folate, along with a good amount of vitamin C and a little bit of choline.

The mineral content of bananas is equally impressive, with plenty of manganese and magnesium, lots of potassium, a little bit of iron, and a little bit of zinc.

All these nutrients can do wonders for sheep:

• the B vitamins are essential for energy metabolism, cognitive function, and a healthy nervous system;
• vitamin C is vital for immunity and tissue repair (though sheep make most of their own vitamin C in their liver);
• minerals are essential for everything from bone health, fluid balance, and cell growth.

Bananas are also a good source of dietary fiber, which is important for gut health.

Most notably, the high potassium content of bananas is especially beneficial to sheep as it helps to regulate fluid balance, heart function, and muscle contraction along with maintaining the right balance of bacteria for fermentation in the rumen.

While all these health benefits are great, it’s important not to overdo it with bananas as they are also quite high in sugar.

Too many bananas can lead to problems like diarrhea, weight gain, and even gut issues like bloat. Bloat, if severe, can be fatal and it is always painful for sheep.

Goats and Sheep Eating Banana

Can Sheep Eat Bananas Raw?

Yes, and this is the best way to give bananas to your sheep. Raw bananas are already very easy to eat, and they will have maximum nutrition when raw.

Can Sheep Eat Banana Peels?

Surprisingly, yes. Sheep can eat banana peels and some seem to really like them.

Though tough and chewy, sheep can chew and digest them, though the peels do pose a choking hazard. See the section on proper preparation to minimize this risk.

Can Sheep Eat Banana Seeds?

Yes. The seeds are completely safe for sheep. Good thing too, since they are so tiny and numerous you’d have a devil of a time trying to remove them from a banana!

Caution: Bananas are Very High in Sugar for Sheep

Bananas have a lot to recommend them as a snack or treat for your sheep, but they aren’t all good.

The biggest problem with feeding bananas to sheep is that they are very high in sugar. This might not be such a big deal for an animal like a human, who can process sugar fairly easily. But for sheep, too much sugar can cause all sorts of problems.

The most common issue is diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if not treated quickly.

In addition, too much sugar can lead to weight gain and obesity in sheep, which can cause a number of health problems including joint pain, respiratory issues, and heart problems.

Finally, sugar can also upset the delicate balance of bacteria in the rumen, leading to bloat or peritonitis. Bloat is extremely painful and if not treated quickly, it can be fatal.

Peritonitis is a very serious inflammation of the intestinal lining, and can likewise be fatal. Both conditions are agonizing for sheep.

So, while bananas are certainly a healthy treat for sheep, they should be given in moderation to avoid any problems. Just because they enjoy them does not mean they should get as many as they want.

Can Sheep Eat Bananas Cooked?

Yes, though there is no good reason to cook bananas before feeding them to sheep. Cooking does not add any nutritional value and will in fact destroy some of the vitamins and minerals present in raw bananas.

Never Feed Bananas to Sheep that Has Been Prepared with Harmful Ingredients

On the topic of cooking, you must never feed cooked bananas to sheep that have been prepared with any harmful ingredients, such as salt, sugar, caramel, chocolate, ice cream, and the like.

These things can be toxic to sheep or even overtly harmful, and possibly even lethal in large enough quantities.

Bananas already contain plenty of sugar, and adding more calories is just a sure way to cause problems like weight gain and bloat.

Things like chocolate are straight-up toxic, and can cause seizures and death. These things are all delicious for us, but very bad for your flock.

If you must cook bananas for your sheep, only use those that have been cooked plain, with no added ingredients

Beware of Pesticide on Grocery-bought Bananas

Yet another issue that might stem from feeding bananas to sheep is the presence of pesticides on grocery store-purchased produce.

Many bananas are heavily sprayed with pesticides, which can accumulate in the flesh of the fruit.

These pesticides can be toxic to sheep, especially when ingested over time, and may cause a number of problems including neurological damage, reproductive harm, organ failure, and even death.

To be safe, only give your sheep organic bananas (that are certified pesticide-free) or those that you have personally grown and know have not been sprayed with any harmful chemicals.

Otherwise, you should definitely wash any bananas you are going to feed whole to your sheep, or just discard the peels entirely.

How Often Can Sheep Have Bananas?

Bananas are healthy, no doubt about it, but they are only a fairly rare treat for your sheep. As outlined above, the sugar content of bananas is harmful when sheep eat too much, vitamins and minerals notwithstanding.

Accordingly, you should only give your sheep bananas up to two times a week at most, and only small servings at a time.

Preparing Bananas for Your Flock

Like most produce being given to sheep, proper preparation is important. Bananas are soft and easy to eat, but large pieces or whole fruit, especially with the peel, can be a choking hazard.

It follows then that you should slice up bananas into small pieces for safety and maximum enjoyment.

If you have any doubts, remove and discard the peel, too. Though many sheep seem to like them, they can be tough to swallow.

Can Lambs Have Bananas, Too?

Yes. Lambs can have bananas like adults, but you’ll want to be careful. Lambs are more likely to experience problems with rumen trouble, bloat and peritonitis due to sugar, so it’s always better to start small and only as tolerated.

Watch for any sign of discomfort, such as bloated stomach, lack of appetite, or restlessness, and discontinue feeding them if observed.

Also, lambs should only be treated with bananas when they are old enough to eat solid food 100% of the time.

If they are still drinking milk or are sometimes rejecting food, they are not yet old enough for bananas.