Can Dogs Eat Mango?
Since mangoes are a delicious fruit that many people enjoy, you might find yourself wondering “can dogs eat mango?”
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat mango.
But as with anything, there are some cautions and exceptions to be aware of before you feed your dog mango. Let's start off by looking at some of these safety precautions.
Is It Safe For Dogs To Eat Mango?
Dogs can safely eat mango, but only as long as the fruit is properly prepared. Dogs should only eat the flesh of the mango fruit … which means the skin and the mango pit should be removed before feeding mango to your dog.
People often ask: “Can dogs eat mango skin, seeds, pits, dried mango, etc?”
In short, dogs should not eat any of these things. Mango skin can be indigestible for some dogs, and mango seeds or pits can pose choking hazards. The pits also contain cyanide and other compounds that can be toxic to dogs.
As for dried mango, it’s important to know that mangoes lose a lot of their nutritional benefit and can become very high in sugar when dried. Since mangoes already contain a lot of sugar, it’s best to avoid feeding dried mangoes. Given all of the above, the safest way for dogs to have mango is to eat only the raw flesh of the mango fruit.
Why Moderation Is Key When Feeding Your Dog Mango
Speaking of sugar, it’s a key reason why mangoes should only be fed to dogs in moderation. Mangoes are too high in carbohydrates and sugar to be a staple of any dog’s diet. Too much sugar can lead to obesity, diabetes, and oral health problems in dogs. If your dog already has diabetes or is overweight, you should be especially cautious of feeding him fruits like mango. It may be best to ask your holistic vet before making any high carb additions to his diet.
The majority of a dog’s diet should consist of high-quality protein, healthy fats, vegetables, and other nutrient-rich foods. This isn’t to say you should never feed your dog fruit, but a couple of pieces of mango as an occasional treat is plenty for most dogs.
Top 3 Benefits Of Mango For Dogs
When fed in moderation, mango is not only safe but also offers several health benefits to dogs:
- Essential Vitamins: Mangoes are high in antioxidants and essential vitamins such as A, B6, C, and E. This makes mangoes a quick and easy way to add more vitamins to your dog’s diet.
- Fiber Content: Mangoes are also an excellent source of fiber. Fiber can improve digestion and increase satiety without adding many calories… which makes mango a good sweet treat for dogs trying to maintain a healthy weight. But again, feed mango in moderation because of the high sugar content.
- Carotene: Mangoes are rich in both alpha and beta-carotene, which promotes eye health, lowers cancer risk, and protects against free radicals.
How To Start Feeding Your Dog Mango
When introducing any new food to your dog, the most important thing to remember is to start slow and see how he responds. Start with just one bite-sized piece if your dog is trying mango for the first time. From there, you can increase the portion accordingly. Just remember mango is best fed as a rare treat for your dog, and not a daily part of his meals.
To feed your dog mango, start by cutting the mango and removing the skin. Make sure the pit and seeds are also removed. Then cut the mango into bite-sized pieces.
Cautions
While a moderate amount of mango is generally healthy for most dogs, there are still some cautions to be aware of before feeding your dog mango.
Overfeeding
Too much of a good thing can have adverse effects, and mango is no exception. The fruit’s sugar and carb content can lead to obesity and elevated blood sugar levels if you feed too much of it.
Choking Hazards
The pit or seed of the mango is a choking hazard and contains cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. This is why it’s important to remove the pit and only feed your dog the raw flesh of the fruit.
Allergies & Digestive Issues
There have been no documented cases of mango allergies in dogs, but mango skin does contain urushiol, a component that causes skin irritation in humans … just another reason dogs shouldn't eat mango skin.
Feeding Dogs Mango | Bottom Line
Mango can be a healthy and delicious treat for dogs, but give it in moderation and prepare it properly. Remember to remove the skin and pit, and limit how often you give your dog mango to avoid any potential health risks.
