As pet parents, it’s normal to see the begging eyes of our dogs every time they see us munching on something new. And at times, we just can’t help but also share a bit of what we are eating with our canine buddies.
After all, it’s a great way for us to bond with our dogs while enjoying a tasty and healthy treat. Just like us humans, many dogs love to eat sweet tropical fruits like mangoes. But, can dogs eat mango?
Can Dogs Eat Mango?
While giving your dog fruits is a good idea, you should also take into consideration that not all of these human foods are safe for them to consume. But, as for sweet and ripe mangoes – yes, dogs can eat them in moderation.
These seasonal fruits that are in peak during summer can make sweet and healthy treats for your dogs. You can give mango slices to your canine friend, or add mango cubes together with your pup’s other favorite fruits. However, bear in mind that treats should only account for 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
And while dogs can eat mango, not all parts of a mango fruit are safe for dogs. Obviously, you have to take away the mango pit as it can be a choking hazard, and it also contains cyanide, which is toxic to dogs.
Giving your dogs mangoes that are not yet ripe isn’t also a good idea as these varieties have a strong sour taste that might even deter your pup from eating this nutritious fruit again.
Are Mangoes Good for Dogs?
With fruits as nutritious, juicy, and tasty as mangoes, it can be hard for us, dog owners to say no when our pups ask for a bite.
Nonetheless, it’s good that mangos are safe for them to eat. So, if you are looking for a healthy variation to your dog’s diet, adding some slices of mango flesh could be an amazing option.
Mangoes are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, beta-carotene, proteins, and antioxidants. With their good nutritional profile, mangoes can definitely offer heaps of health benefits to your dog.
Incorporating this vitamin A-rich fruit into your pup’s menu can help promote eyesight, especially if you have a senior dog. It can also help prevent night blindness, dry eyes, as well as cataracts.
Vitamin A can also aid in the proper functioning of the different organs in the body, particularly the kidneys, liver, and lungs.
Vitamin C can also act as an antioxidant, and as always, it can help boost your dog’s immune system to have stronger protection against viruses.
The antioxidants in mangoes can help your pet dogs against degenerative diseases, allergies, and even cancer. And alongside vitamin A and other nutrients, mangoes can help fight skin problems, and promote healthy skin and coat.
Also, while it appears surprising for some, mangoes contain protein, which can supplement your dog’s daily intake of protein from animal sources.
The potassium in mangoes helps promote healthy nerves and muscles, and their fiber content help with the functions of the digestive system.
Moreover, a dose of mango can also help reduce inflammation, which is beneficial for dogs suffering from arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Eat Mangoes?
While mangoes are not toxic to dogs, and they also offer a lot of benefits to them, these healthy fruits aren’t perfect, too. When taken in huge amounts, mangoes can cause some health issues to your pup.
As such, it’s always important to keep an eye on how much mangoes you are giving your dog and make sure that they are not eating the parts that can be threats to their health and safety.
In particular, mango skin is a problematic part for canines. While it is technically edible, even humans, are not inclined to eating it, which makes it more of a reason not to give this part to your dog.
But of course, that’s not the only reason. Mango skin contains urushiol, a component also found in poison ivy and poison oak, which can cause a rash when it comes in contact with your dog’s skin.
Moreover, mango skin is also fairly hard to digest. Hence, there’s a high chance that it can cause indigestion, stomach upsets, vomiting, or even intestinal obstruction. So, when feeding your pup mango peel it first and feel free to slice it into pieces.
Compared with other fruits that dogs can eat, mangoes also have higher calories and sugar content, so, it’s also another factor why it’s important not to give your pup too much of these sweet fruits. This is especially true if your dog is diabetic, or is trying to shed some excess pounds.
Mangoes are also part of several recipes and food products that we, humans love, including salads and chutneys.
Hence, when giving these to our dogs, there is a chance that they can ingest some ingredients that are bad for their health, such as salt, garlic, and onions.
Again, as dog owners, we should always keep an eye on what gets inside our pup’s mouth and keep potentially dangerous and toxic foods or things out of their reach.
Also, as mentioned before, mango pits or seeds can be a choking hazard. These hard parts also contain cyanide, which can be dangerous for your dog or cat when consumed even in a small amount.
How Much Mangoes Can Your Dog Eat?
Whether it’s your dog’s first time eating mangoes or not, it’s always a must to only give this fruit to him in moderation.
If you have a large dog, serve no more than a quarter cup of fresh mango as a snack. Don’t give more than this because too much mangoes can cause belly aches and diarrhea.
Serving Ideas When Feeding Your Dog Mango
You can serve mangoes to your dog in several ways, but no matter what, always start by washing the mangoes first.
Peel the skin off and make sure that your dog won’t chew on the pit to avoid accidental ingestion which can potentially choke and even poison your pup with its cyanide content.
Feel free to share frozen slices of mangoes with your pup, or share little pieces as treats during training. You can also add mango toppings to your pup’s favorite dog food.
Mango puree is also another fun idea to try with your dog. When making it, you can add some baby food or even yogurt or cheese.
Finally, never serve rotten mangoes to your dog as these contain ethanol (alcohol), which can be toxic to dogs. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning in dogs that you should watch out for include vomiting, seizures, and tremors.
As always, if you have some questions, feel free to ask your vet for expert advice. And if your dog has an underlying health condition, it’s best to consult your veterinarian before adding mangoes or any new food to his diet.
How much mango can a small dog eat?
One-quarter cup of fresh mango once a week (or twice a week for large dogs) is an appropriate serving to prevent diabetes and obesity. Mangoes contain high amounts of sugar and have more calories than other dog-safe fruits, such as watermelon, so they should be given in moderation.
Will mango make my dog sick?
No. This fruit is full of vitamins and safe for your pup to consume, as long as it's peeled and the pit is removed. It's important to note that you should only give your canine companion mango in moderation.
Can a dog poop out a mango seed?
Definitely don't let your dog have access to the pit. The mango pit is large, and if swallowed, your dog could easily choke on it. Even if he does swallow it and it ends up in his stomach or intestines, it might get stuck there since it could be too big to pass through naturally.
What fruit is bad for dogs?
Steer clear of:Â Cherries are toxic to cats and dogs, and grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage. Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruit as well as persimmons can cause an upset stomach. All the following fruits are safe for your dog or cat to eat.