Only dog parents know how hard it is to avoid sharing any food they eat with their dog. But before giving your dog anything to eat, you must know whether it’s safe or not for him. Like humans, many dogs also love eating fruits like mangoes. But the question is – Are mangoes safe for dogs?
Mangoes are tropical fruits that serve as tasty treats during the summer for humans. It can also make a tasty treat for dogs, as long as they are fed the right amount and parts of the fruit.
Let’s delve into more details about it in this article.
Is Mango Good for Dogs?
Dogs usually love eating fruits, but some fruits are known to be poisonous to dogs. Nevertheless, when it comes to mangoes, you don’t have to hesitate to give them to your canine, as mangoes are completely safe to eat.
Mangoes are rich in vitamins (A, C, E, and B6), dietary fibers, minerals, protein, antioxidants, and alpha- and beta-carotene. So they are a healthy and safe fruit for dogs, just like humans. While it tastes sweet, dogs are likely to love it too.
However, you must feed only the juicy meat of this fruit to your dog, and only in moderate amounts. Not every part of a mango is safe for canines to consume, like the pit and skin.
Let’s look at a few significant health benefits of eating mangoes with your dog.
1. Antioxidants
Mangoes contain a high level of antioxidants that can improve a dog’s immune system, preventing degenerative diseases, allergies, skin problems, and cancer.
2. Vitamin A
This vitamin is more useful in senior dogs as it helps maintain good eyesight. It will prevent your dog from developing cataracts, dry eyes, and night blindness. Apart from these, Vitamin A is also essential for the proper functioning of the liver, lungs, and kidneys.
3. Dietary Fiber
Dietary fibers can improve a dog’s digestive system, ensuring the smooth running of everything in the tract. Your dog is less likely to suffer from constipation and diarrhea.
4. Protein
Mangoes are rich in proteins that help repair muscles and other important tissues in a dog’s body.
5. Potassium
Mangoes also pack enough potassium for a dog’s muscles and nerves.
So mangoes are a highly nutritious fruit that is good for dogs to eat, but only in moderation.
Another important aspect to remember is that the skin and pit of mangoes can be toxic to dogs. So when feeding your buddy this fruit, remove the skin and pit before offering it. The skin is known to be an edible part of the fruit, but it’s typically tough to digest for dogs.
In addition, a mango pit can also be dangerous for dogs.
- Firstly, its size can choke your buddy if swallowed.
- Secondly, if they also swallow the pit smoothly, it can get stuck in the intestine, causing a blockage.
- And finally, the pit is toxic for dogs as it contains small amounts of cyanide. Although this toxin isn’t enough to pose potential hazards, it’s still better to avoid it for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Mango?
Yeah, dogs can eat mangoes because of their nutrient content. However, experts recommend feeding your dog mangoes only in moderate amounts.
The fact is that the carbohydrate and sugar content in mangoes is high. Thus, consuming a lot of mangoes can encourage several health issues in dogs, including diabetes, obesity, stomach upset, and tooth decay.
On the other hand, the fiber content in mangoes is also very high, and a dog’s digestive system isn’t that strong to digest it. So consuming mangoes in excessive amounts can lead to diarrhea or stomach upset.
Many nutritionists recommend giving dogs different treats to eat on alternate days so they don’t eat too much fruit.
However, dogs with diabetes or obesity shouldn’t be fed mangoes. To err on the safe side, consult your vet about the best food options for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Mango?
Dried mangoes are safe to feed dogs after dehydrating the fruit at home. They contain a higher amount of carbohydrates, calories, and sugar. When dried, the fruits lack several nutrients and their health benefits.
However, make sure to give them smaller portions of dried mangoes to eat so that the sugar content can be more condensed. In addition, consuming too much of it can result in stomach upset or tooth decay.
Don’t get those dried mangoes available in stores to feed your dog, as they mostly contain additional ingredients, preservatives, and added sugar.
Can Dogs Eat Mango Seeds?
The long, flat seed inside mangoes appears like a pit. Remove the pit-like seed before giving your furry buddy mangoes to eat, as it can cause choking or intestinal blockage.
Possible Dangers of Eating Mango for Dogs
Mangoes should be peeled and pit-removed before giving them to your dog to eat. Dogs can ingest the skin but can’t easily digest it. In addition, the pits can cause choking and intestinal blockages due to their size. On top of that, mango pits have small amounts of cyanide.
If your dog swallows the pit accidentally, it will likely move smoothly through its tract. However, if you see any signs of discomfort or changes in eating habits, take your dog to the vet immediately. Common symptoms of blockage include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Constipation
- Difficulty breathing
- Stomach bloating.
When eating mango skin, there’s nothing to worry about immediately. Monitor your dog’s activities to notice signs of discomfort, such as diarrhea or vomiting.
Always be conscious of how many mangoes you feed your furry buddy. Excessive intake of any fruit can lead to diarrhea and bellyaches. However, mangoes should be avoided by dogs with certain health conditions like diabetes or pancreatitis. Make sure to consult your vet before adding any new foods to your canine’s diet.
How to Serve Mango to Dogs?
When adding mangoes as a special treat to your dog’s diet, please provide them with only a small portion. Nutrient-rich mangoes should account for 10% of a dog’s diet. You must ensure that the remaining 90% of nutrients your dog is getting are from a properly-balanced dog food diet.
Serve this tropical treat to your dog by washing it thoroughly, peeling the skin, and removing the large pit. Then, slice the mango into small pieces of 1 inch as recommended for your dog’s size.
Below are the following ways in which you can serve mangoes to your canine buddy:
- Feed them raw in small cubes.
- You can make a puree of this tropical fruit and mix it with some cottage cheese to avoid stomach upset in your dog.
- Freeze the mangoes with water and serve them as a rejuvenating summer treat.
- You can mash some mango cubes and put them straight into your dog’s bowl.
Don’t ever feed rotten mangoes to your furry buddy. Rotten fruits contain ethanol, which is toxic to dogs. Common symptoms of ethanol (alcohol) poisoning are seizures, tremors, and vomiting. In the event of alcohol poisoning, take your dog immediately to the vet.
| Dog Weight | Dog Breeds | Mango Doses |
|---|---|---|
| Extra-small (2 to 20 pounds) | Chihuahuas, Pugs, Pomeranians, Yorkies | 1 to 2 pieces |
| Small (21 to 30 pounds) | Beagles, Basenjis, Miniature Australian Shepherds | 2 to 3 pieces |
| Medium (31 to 50 pounds) | Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, Basset Hounds | 5 to 6 pieces |
| Large (51 to 90 pounds) | German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, Australian Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers | A handful of mango pieces |
| Extra-large (91+) | Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, St. Bernards | Large handful of mango pieces |
FAQ’s
How many mangoes can your dog eat?
It’s recommended to provide one-quarter cup of fresh mangoes once or twice weekly, depending on your dog’s size.
What is the recommended dose of mangoes for dogs in terms of size?
The recommended mango doses for dogs based on their size are the following:
• Extra-small (2 to 20 pounds): Give 1 to 2 pieces of mango measuring ½-inch wide by ¼-inch thick.
• Small (21 to 30 pounds): Give 2-3 pieces of mango measuring 1-inch wide by ¼-inch thick).
• Medium (31 to 50 pounds): Give 5 to 6 pieces of mango measuring 1-inch wide by ¼-inch thick.
• Large (51 to 90 pounds): Serve a handful of mango pieces measuring 1-inch wide by ¼-inch thick.
• Extra-large (91+ pounds): Give a handful of mango pieces measuring 1-inch wide by ¼-inch thick.
Can dogs with specific health conditions be given mangoes?
Dogs with diabetes or obesity should not be fed mangoes. Also, it’s best to consult your vet before adding any new foods to your dog’s diet.
What fruits are recommended for dogs?
Fruits like cherries, peaches, plums, and apples are said to be avoided by dogs.
Conclusion
Mangoes are a safe fruit to feed dogs, but only in moderation. Fruits, vegetables, or treats should comprise at most 10% of a dog’s diet. Dogs get their essential nutrients from a well-balanced dog food diet.
Whenever you add new fruit or food to your buddy’s diet, ask your vet first. Then you can rest assured that you aren’t feeding anything poisonous to your dog.
Elena Gherman is a highly skilled and knowledgeable animal care expert. At the start of her career, she gained practical expertise with multiple animals. In addition to that, she works as a DVM veterinary editor for Joy Pet Products, which focuses on offering reliable information on pet health and wellbeing. She meticulously reviews each piece of writing before it is published to make sure pet owners get the most precise and updated information possible.