Can Dogs Eat Mango? Or Is It Dangerous For Them?

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Mango is one of nature’s most delicious fruits, loved by humans around the world for its unique, tropical flavor and used in everything from muffins to desserts to cocktails. But can dogs eat mango? We take a look at the pros and cons of feeding this sweet treat to your pup.

There are thought to be as many as 1,000 different varieties of mangoes grown worldwide. India is the world’s largest commercial producer of mango, delivering them around the world to countries like the USA – which consumes (on average) 3.25 pounds of mango per person every year.

Rich in 20 essential vitamins and minerals, and high in fiber and water content, mangoes are also free from sodium, fat, and cholesterol. That makes them a hydrating, healthy snack for humans. But let’s see whether our dogs can enjoy mango in the same way.

Can dogs eat mango?

The good news is that mango is totally safe for your dog. So you don’t need to panic if any of your mango falls on the floor and is instantly vacuumed up by your dog!

Mango is a very sweet fruit, so dogs love the taste – but as they’re high in natural sugars, they need to be given only as a treat now and then, and not fed to your dog as a meal.

Common mango varieties found in the USA are:

• Alphonso Mangoes
• Ataulfo Mangoes
• Haden Mangoes
• Haitian Mangoes
• Keitt Mangoes
• Kent Mangoes
• Tommy Atkins Mangoes

Is mango good for dogs?

While your dog’s diet should be nutritionally balanced and high in meat proteins, it’s okay to give your dog 10% of their diet in the form of healthy snacks.

Fresh vegetables and fruits are a great treat, and a good alternative to processed commercial dog treats.

As mango is a high-fiber fruit, and contains vitamin A, C, B6, and E – it’s a nutritious and healthy option to feed your dog.

Any time you decide to introduce new foods to your dog’s diet, consult your vet first. They can advise if your dog should eat mango, and recommend how much your dog can safely eat.

Health benefits of mango for dogs

Mango contains a ton of nutritional value for your dog, including:

• Vitamin A – this supports your pup’s immune system, bones, reproductive system, and eyesight. It also improves skin and coat health, and kidney, lung, and liver function.

• Vitamin B6 – keeps your dog’s red blood cells, nervous system, hormones, and immune system in good shape.

• Vitamin B9 (folic acid) – for healthy blood cells.

• Vitamin C: an essential antioxidant that destroys free-radicals in your dog’s body, and keeps their cells healthy. This vitamin also boosts immunity and brain function, and reduces inflammation.

• Vitamin E – promotes a shiny, healthy skin and coat, and can ease dry, itchy skin.

• Potassium – important for healthy kidney, heart, muscles, and digestion.

• Magnesium – helps metabolize proteins and fatty acids, boost energy levels, and promotes healthy ligaments and bones.

• Antioxidants – mango contains alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and other antioxidants that protect your dog from cell damage.

• Dietary Fiber – mango has a lot of fiber, which helps to keep things moving along in your dog! It can also help your dog feel full for longer, which means they won’t beg for as many extra snacks.

• Protein – helps to repair muscles and tissue.

Can dogs eat fresh mango?

Fresh is best when it comes to feeding your dog mango. But don’t just throw them a whole mango and leave them to it.

Mango needs some prep work first!

Simply cut your mango in half, score the flesh as pictured below, and serve the small cubes to your dog as a snack, or mixed in with their meal to give some added flavor and nutrients.

Can dogs eat mango skin?

Mango skin (or peel) is a no-go for dogs. The peel is indigestible, and can cause harm to your dog.

It can also be a potential choking hazard – especially if the mango isn’t ripe. The skin of under ripe mangoes can be tough, and slippery enough to slide down your pup’s throat before they’ve had a chance to chew it.

Can dogs eat mango seeds?

As well as being a potential choking hazard for your dog, mango pits contain small traces of toxic cyanide.

Small amounts of cyanide can give your dog stomach problems, and in larger amounts – cyanide poisoning can be lethal for your dog, so it’s important to make sure you never give them mango seeds to chew on.

Other fruits that contain trace cyanide in their pits are:

• Peaches
• Apricots
• Cherries
• Plums
  
  Make sure your dog never eats any of these fruit pits!
  
  If you notice that your dog has swallowed a mango pit, contact your vet immediately. This could cause a life-threatening obstruction in your dog’s throat or stomach.

Signs of possible obstruction can include:

• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty breathing
• Bloated stomach
• Lethargy
• Constipation

Gastric obstruction can be fatal for your pup. So if you see them eat a mango pit, seek emergency veterinary help as soon as possible. Your vet can give your dog a physical exam, and x-rays if necessary, to ensure they’re okay.

Can dogs eat dried mango?

Dried mango is high in calories, carbohydrates, and sugars due to the concentration of all of these elements in the drying process. Dried mango also loses some of its health benefits.

Giving your dog a small piece of dried mango won’t harm them, but too much can lead to an upset stomach, and dental problems further down the track. Fresh is always best when it comes to mango!

Can dogs have mango juice?

Mango juice is fine for your dog in small quantities. As the juice has concentrated amounts of sugar in it, it’s best to only give your dog mango juice on special occasions.

Store bought mango juice should be checked to see that it contains no added sugar, and no preservatives or additives, before giving it to your dog.

Can puppies eat mango?

Yes – but make sure you give it to them in very small amounts to avoid any messy upset stomach problems!

Puppy digestive tracts are still at an early stage, and the fiber and sugar content can make mango go straight through them very quickly.

As with adult dogs, only feed them the juicy flesh, and never the skin or pits.

Is mango bad for dogs in any way?

Most dogs can eat mango safely. However – if your dog has existing problems that might be affected by eating this sweet, sugary fruit, it’s best to consult your vet before giving your dog mango.

Check with your vet if your dog has:

• Diabetes – mango is high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar spikes in diabetic dogs. Depending on the severity of your dog’s diabetes, it might be okay to give them a cube of fruit every now and then, but always check with your vet before serving them any mango.

• Kidney disease – mango can affect some dogs with this condition, so check with your vet to see whether it’s okay for your pup.

• Obesity problems – mango has 99 calories per cup, which is a lot of energy and sugar for your dog. If your pup is overweight, it’s best to avoid giving them mango, or serve it in very small amounts for a special treat to avoid extra weight gain.

• Pancreatitis – this requires your dog to have a specific diet to avoid further irritation to your dog’s pancreas. It’s advisable not to give your dog mango if they have this condition, but check with your vet if you’re unsure.

It’s important that you don’t feed your dog too much mango – even if they’re fit and healthy. Too much of any fruit can cause your pup to get an upset stomach, which can also be accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.

Some dogs are also allergic to mango. Start by feeding your pup a cube or two of mango to check they don’t have problems with this particular fruit.

How much mango should you give your dog?

For most dogs, 1/4 cup of chopped mango flesh is okay to feed once or twice a week.

As mango contains 99 calories and 22.5 grams of sugar per cup – you need to feed it to your dog in moderation to prevent weight gain, dental problems, and other potential health issues.

How to feed your dog mango safely

Always feed your dog ripe mango. Wash it, peel it and remove the pit before you feed any to your dog.

For small dogs and puppies, you should cut the fruit into small pieces. For bigger dog breeds, the flesh is soft and easy for them to eat, so slices of mango are fine.

Here are some other ways that you and your dog can enjoy eating mango together:

Canned mango

Canned mango is okay for your dog if you don’t have any fresh fruit. Just make sure it’s tinned in 100% natural juice, and not syrup. Also check that it’s free of artificial preservatives and additives.

Dehydrated mango

Dehydrated mango is fine for your dog to chew on, and retains most of the nutrients from its raw state. Just make sure that you feed it in limited quantities, and always have water on hand for your dog after this snack.

Frozen Mango 

Frozen mango snacks are a wonderful treat for your pup, especially on hot days where they struggle to keep cool.

You can puree and freeze fresh mango, or buy it frozen in packs from your supermarket. Again – check that any commercial mango has no added ingredients, and that it’s 100% pure, fresh, frozen mango.

Mango ice cream / sorbet

Serving frozen mango as an ice cream or sorbet to your pup is a treat they will love you for! Here’s our favorite recipe for pupsicle treats:

Ingredients

• 2 cups of fresh mango
• For ice cream: add 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk (or 1/2 cup natural yoghurt and 1/2 cup water)
• For sorbet: add 1 cup of coconut water (or 1 cup of fresh water)

Instructions

• Add all the ingredients to your food processor or blender, and mix until smooth
• Pour the mixture into your dog’s favorite silicone molds
• Freeze overnight
• Serve as a tasty snack!

Mango smoothie

You can modify the above sorbet recipe by adding more fruits and vegetables to the blender, and adjusting the consistency with extra water as needed – to make a delicious summer smoothie for your dog.

Check out these other mango dog treats!

In summary – can dogs eat mango?

If you’ve been wondering “can dogs eat mango?” we’ve hopefully answered all your questions! Mangoes are a safe, healthy, and nutritious snack for your dog. Remember to remove the skin and pit before giving your pup this delicious fruit.

Too much sugary mango can cause stomach upsets, obesity, dental problems, and other health issues – so should always be given to your dog in moderation as an occasional treat.

Always check with your vet before you introduce any new food to your dog’s diet, to ensure that it’s safe for your furry friend to eat – and get guidance on how often and how much they can have.

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