Feeding dogs is not as straightforward as it might seem. Beyond the regular dog food, many dog owners ponder about the safety and benefits of sharing fruits and other human foods with their four-legged friends. Can Dogs Eat Mango? It is a question that often comes up, especially considering the abundance of this succulent fruit during certain seasons. In this article, we will explore the nutritional content of mangoes, weigh the potential benefits against the risks, and provide guidelines for dog owners considering adding this tasty treat to their pet’s diet.
Stay tuned as we unravel the mysteries of dogs and mangoes, aiming to provide a comprehensive answer that aligns with the well-being and happiness of your furry companion.
Can Dogs Eat Mango?
Yes, they can eat it. This delicious fruit is beneficial for all dogs and is a great addition to the diet. You shouldn’t give your pet a lot of mango as you will see below. Mango is loaded with vitamins, nutrients, and minerals hence dogs do get some benefits. In addition, mango contains antioxidants and fiber which are beneficial as well. Overall, mango is a powerful fruit that all dogs should consume and their body will benefit from it.
Health Benefits Mango Offers To Dogs
Dogs can eat mango in moderation. When they eat this fruit they will get a few health benefits you want to provide to your dog. There are 4 main health benefits here and we will have to explain each one. These are possible thanks to specific nutrients and ingredients present in mango fruit.
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Vitamin A
Thanks to vitamin A in mango your pet will get better eyesight. This also prevents cataracts and dry eyes alongside night blindness. Senior dogs will benefit the most as you can assume. Vitamin A will improve the coat, skin of your pet, and also functions of the liver, kidneys, and lungs.
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Antioxidants
Antioxidants are present in mango as well. Thanks to these dogs can enjoy a decreased risk of cancer, allergies, and also skin problems. Antioxidants are ideal for fighting and killing free radicals that damage the cells.
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Protein
Protein in mango helps your dog repair tissues and muscles. Add the fact potassium is present and you can see that all dogs will even improve muscles and nerves.
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Dietary fiber
Dietary fiber will make symptoms of diarrhea and constipation better and less-problematic. It is beneficial to the digestive tract as well. Ideally, mango can be used when your pet has an upset stomach.
The Ideal Amount of Mango For Your Dog
Just because you can give mango to a dog doesn’t mean that he can eat tonnes of them. ¼ of the cup per week is an ideal amount for smaller dogs. Larger dogs can consume this amount, but only two times per week. Giving too much mango to a dog can result in certain problems. For instance, your pet can end up with an upset stomach, and this fruit does contain a lot of sugar.
One cup of the fruit will have 99 calories and around 22 grammes of sugar. The dietary fiber is present in large numbers also. When your pet consumes too much of it, he can end up with diarrhea.
Risk Factors To Consider
We must add that some dogs are actually allergic to mango. That’s why you should start with a very small amount and monitor the outcome. If your pet shows some signs of health issues or allergies, you will need to stop feeding him mango and take him to the vet. This also means that your dog must never eat mango again. There are a few cases when mango is not ideal for certain dogs.
The pit is a huge problem
Pit mango is something you must avoid at all costs. It is big and can choke your dog. It is also something that can cause a huge issue if your dog swallows it. Some of the complications are life-threatening; hence, you will always have to remove the pit and feed your dog mango’s meat only, in moderation, as we have explained above.
If your pet ate the pit, he will likely develop vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the abdominal area, stomach bloating, constipation, and issues with breathing. Take him to the vet immediately, or it can be fatal!
Mango skin must be avoided
Yes, mango skin is bad for dogs due to the fact that it contains urushiol. This is an ingredient that is toxic and can be found in poison oak and ivy. It is very bad, and you must make sure it doesn’t come in contact with your dog. The skin of this fruit is extremely hard to digest, so a dog can end up with an upset stomach. If your pet ate the mango skin, monitor his behavior. If he develops diarrhoea or starts vomiting, take him to the vet.
Dogs with certain medical conditions
Sadly, mango is not ideal for dogs who suffer from diabetes or pancreatic disease. These dogs do need a specific diet plan to stay in a healthy state and mango can interrupt this diet.
How You Should Prepare Mango For Your Dog
This is actually a very simple and straightforward action to do, but it is something all dog owners need to know. Mango is safe for dogs, but it is not something they can consume without any rules or guidelines. Anyway, follow these steps, and your dog will be fine.
- Wash the fruit first. It is quite obvious and a well-known fact.
- Remove the skin of the fruit. Take your time and remove all of it. It can be problematic even in smaller amounts.
- Remove the pit. It is a huge problem in this scenario and something you must not forget to do.
- Make ideal pieces. This means that smaller dogs will need to get the mango in smaller pieces so they can eat it easily. Larger dogs can eat larger pieces. Always adapt the size of the pieces to your dog. If you have two dogs, a small and a big one, use smaller pieces, just to be safe.
There is no need to add that mango can go bad and you will need to throw it away. If a dog eats fruit in this condition, he will end up with alcohol poisoning. The rotten mango will be loaded with ethanol; hence, it can cause alcohol poisoning in dogs. You should avoid fruit, in this case, all the time.
Dried mango can be given to dogs in moderation. But it is not as loaded with healthy nutrients as fresh mango is. It is also loaded with calories, sugar, and even carbs. All of this can cause tooth issues and an upset stomach if your dog eats it. A very small amount won’t hurt your dog, but a large amount will. Avoid it. Give a fresh mango to your dog. In general, fresh fruit is a much better choice than dried fruit of any kind. It is healthier, offers more health benefits, and is safer.
Do Not Feed Your Dog With The Whole Mango
We know that some dog owners will simply take the whole mango and give it to a dog. He will chew it, play with it, and have great fun. But, this is the last thing you should do. First of all, the whole mango will contain the skin and the pit. These can cause all kinds of health issues in dogs and can even kill your pet. He can break a tooth, your dog can choke, and can get all kinds of issues with his stomach.
Above, we have explained how you can feed dogs with mango and always follow this routine. A dog will play with the whole mango, but this is something you should never do. Most, if not all, dog foods require some simple preparation in order to make them safe for dogs. As you saw, the preparation of mango is extremely simple, and it will literally take a few minutes of your time.
Healthy Alternatives
Mango is healthy and a nice fruit for all dogs. But it is not the only type of fruit a dog can eat. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of fruits that are ideal in this scenario. Let’s see some of them.
- Bananas
- Watermelon
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Oranges
- Pineapple
- Cranberries
It is important to add that dogs can consume the flesh of pineapple and oranges only. The peel must be removed. When you give apples to your dog, remove the seeds. These are toxic to dogs and can cause certain problems of pineapple and oranges only. The peel must be removed.
When you give apples to your dog, remove the seeds. These are toxic to dogs and can cause certain problems. In general, seeds and pits from fruits must be removed most of the time. They are not ideal for a dog, and they can be problematic without offering any real perks.
The Final Word
Can dogs eat mango? Yes, they can and all dogs will benefit from this. Try to remember that mango is safe for dogs when consumed in moderation. Not all dogs can eat it and those with diabetes, pancreatic, and those who are allergic must avoid it at all costs. Other dogs will enjoy mango and will appreciate the occasional slice.
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