If you’re looking to add some variety to your dog’s diet, you might be looking for healthy alternatives to their daily dog food. You may be wondering, “can dogs eat mango?” The short answer is yes; they can. It is tasty, but it’s healthy for them too, in moderation. Let’s learn more about giving dogs mango.
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Can Dogs Have Mango?
Believe it or not, mango is one of the many safe fruits for dogs to eat. However, while it has many nutritional benefits, feeding too much mango to your pup can have drawbacks. So, let’s take a closer look at feeding dogs mango and how they can help your doggo.
Mango Nutrition Facts
One cup of mango provides more nutritional value than we think. One of the best parts about this fruit is that it’s low in calories and high in vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts the immune system, grows and repairs cells, and absorbs iron.
In addition, according to Healthline, mango has the following:
| Mango Nutrition | Amount in Grams |
|---|---|
| Carbs | 24.7 grams |
| Fat | 0.6 grams |
| Fiber | 2.6 grams |
| Protein | 1.4 grams |
| Sugar | 22.5 grams |
There’s a lot to love about mango, mainly since it also contains the following:
- Copper
- Folate
- Niacin
- Potassium
- Riboflavin
- Magnesium
- Thiamine
- Vitamins A, B6, E, and K
But now that we know the nutrition facts for one cup of mango, how can it be beneficial to your furry friend?
What Are The Health Benefits Of Feeding Dogs Mango?
So, are mangoes good for dogs? Absolutely.
We’ve already learned that this fruit is packed with various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In moderation, mango supports a dog’s overall health.
For example, mango helps with the following.
Vitamin A
Especially for senior dogs, vitamin A boosts the prevention of dry eyes, night blindness, cataracts, and overall good eyesight.
In addition, vitamin A is great for your dog’s skin and coat health and supports the proper function of its kidneys, liver, and lungs.
Vitamin C
This particular vitamin helps keep your dog feeling healthy and energized. Vitamin C boosts their overall immune system, absorbs iron, and promotes cell growth and repair.
Antioxidants
Various antioxidants also help boost your dog’s immune system. In addition, they help prevent your doggo from getting certain types of cancers, allergies, skin issues, and degenerative diseases.
Protein
Everyone needs protein in their diet, including your furry friend. Dogs are carnivorous creatures, so protein is essential. Not only will protein energize your pup, but it’ll also repair muscles and other issues within their body.
Potassium
Working together with the protein, potassium is also beneficial to your doggo. For instance, potassium helps improve your dog’s nerves and muscles.
Dietary Fiber
Like protein, dietary fiber is excellent for your dog. The fiber in mango will help improve your dog’s overall digestive system. If your pup has an upset stomach, a little bit of mango may also relieve them of diarrhea or constipation.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Feeding Dogs Mango?
On the other hand, mango can have its drawbacks. If you give it to your pup too often or provide too much at one time, your dog could get sick. So, let’s take a look at some of the cons of giving mango to your furry friend.
Too Much Fiber
While it’s excellent that mango contains dietary fiber, too much of it can lead to digestive issues. For example, too much fiber in their diet can cause your furry friend to have loose stool or diarrhea.
Underlying Medical Conditions
If your dog has food allergies or an underlying health condition, mango may not be the best option. For instance, mango is high in sugar, so dogs with diabetes or pancreatitis will get sick from eating mango.
As with anything you feed your pup, you should always talk to your dog’s veterinarian first.
Be Careful Of Certain Parts Of The Mango
Some parts of the mango, such as the pit, can be a choking hazard. So, when feeding your dog this fruit, you’ll need to be careful about which pieces your dog gets. Also, you should monitor your dog when eating to be on the safe side.
What To Do If Your Dog Gets An Obstruction
The pit and other parts of the mango can cause a blockage or obstruction. If this happens to your pup, then keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloated stomach
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
If not treated right away, these symptoms can be fatal. So, bring your dog to the emergency vet right away. Even if you’re unsure what the cause is, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Parts Of The Mango Your Dog Can And Can’t Eat
Mango is a great fruit to give to your pup as a tasty treat. However, your doggo can’t eat the entirety of the mango.
We’ve learned about the advantages and disadvantages of feeding mango to your beloved pet, but you need to be careful about which parts you provide to your doggo.
For example, can dogs eat mango skin? Here’s a quick look at which parts of the mango are safe and which are not.
| Part of the Mango | Safe for your Dog? |
|---|---|
| Mango Meat | Yes |
| Mango Peel (also known as the Mango Skin) | No |
| Mango Pit | No |
| Mango Leaves | No |
The skin or the peel of the mango is not digestible. So, if your pup happens to chew the tough skin and swallows it, it could cause an upset stomach or an obstruction.
Similarly enough, mango leaves have no nutritional value and can cause indigestion.
The mango pit is the part you want to avoid. It contains cyanide, which is poison. Also, it can cause intestinal blockage. For some dogs, the pit could be a choking hazard.
The mango meat, which is the fruit’s flesh, is the safest to feed your dog. However, it should be given to your dog in moderation.
How Many Mangoes Can Dogs Eat?
As with humans, too much fruit can backfire. Since fruit typically isn’t part of a dog’s regular daily diet, mango should be fed to them in moderation.
For example, you should follow the 90/10 rule when feeding your dog. This means 90% of their diet should be from commercial dog food, and the other 10% should be dog treats or dog-safe people food, such as mango.
So, if your doggo enjoys this tasty treat, give it to them sparingly. You can provide about one-quarter of a cup of mango to your furry friend about once a week. If you have a large dog breed, you can offer them this amount about twice per week.
Once again, talk to your dog’s vet before giving them mango. They’ll help you determine whether feeding your companion mango is a good idea or not. And, if it is, they’ll help you decide how much and how often.
How To Feed Your Dog Mango
There are plenty of ways to serve this yummy fruit to your pup. The easiest and quickest way is to feed your doggo slices of fresh, ripe mango.
For example, you can do the following:
- Wash the mango as best you can
- Peel the skin off of the mango meat
- Remove the pit from the middle and throw it away
- Slice the fruit into small pieces (if you have small dog breeds, cut it into bite-sized pieces so they can chew well and won’t choke)
However, you can prepare the mango in other ways. For example, you can puree the mango and top it onto their dog food at dinner time for an extra boost in nutrients.
In addition, on a hot summer day, you can freeze pureed mango in your ice cube tray and give your dog a refreshing mango-flavored popsicle to enjoy.
If you’re feeding mango to your dog for the first time, you should first speak to your vet. They’ll help you decide whether adding mango to their diet is a good idea or not.
If you get the okay from the vet, start feeding it slow. Don’t give a quarter of a cup of mango to your dog right away. Cut off a small bite from the fruit and hand-feed it to your dog. Monitor them to see how they react to it. If they seem okay, you can slowly give them more within the next few days.
Alternatively, there are other ways you can provide mango to your dog. For instance, you can create homemade recipes that include mango for your dog.
Dog-Friendly Recipes That Include Mango
If you have the time and want to try other ways to share mango with your dog, you can try out some dog-friendly mango recipes below.
Mango-Flavored Dog Treats
On the other hand, if you don’t have the time to create your dog treats, you can also buy mango-flavored commercial dog treats.
For example, you can try providing the following treats to your pup:
- Dog Treat Naturals Salmon & Mango Superfood Fresh All Stages Natural Chew Stick Dog Treats
- Dogswell Vitality Chicken & Mango Jerky Dog Treats
- Fruitables Skinny Minis Pumpkin & Mango Flavor Soft & Chewy Dog Treats
Question Corner: FAQs About Dogs Eating Mango
Want to learn more about dogs and mango? Then take a look at the frequently asked questions below.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Mango?
There’s no need to provide dried mango (or dehydrated mango) to your pup. Drying out the fruit gets rid of some of the nutritional value. In addition, if given in large amounts, your dog may end up with tooth decay and other dental issues.
Can Dogs Eat Mango Juice?
No, dogs should not eat mango juice. These are not dog products and often have added sugar, preservatives, and artificial coloring. However, if you puree fresh mango at home for a smoothie, you can give your dog a small lick.
Can Dogs Eat Mango Ice Cream?
Unfortunately, no. It sounds like a yummy treat on a hot day, but mango-flavored ice cream may contain additives, preservatives, and artificial colors. Also, it’s dairy which can lead to stomach issues.
Can Diabetic Dogs Have Mango?
No, diabetic dogs should not have mango. This fruit is high in sugar, making a dog with diabetes sick.
Can Overweight Dogs Have Mango?
Similar to diabetic dogs, overweight pups should not have mango. Mango is high in sugar and carbohydrates, which can cause your doggo to gain more weight.
Can Senior Dogs Have Mango?
Mango is an excellent fruit to give to your senior dog in moderation. The antioxidants can prevent age-related diseases and support your pup’s overall immune system.
Can Puppies Have Mango?
Puppies can have mango, but it’s best to wait until they are adults. Since puppies are still growing and developing, they should get their nutrients from their puppy food.
Should Dog Owners Give Their Dog Mango?
Mango is great for dogs as long as it’s given in moderation and in small amounts. It is tasty for your pup, but it’s beneficial to their health. Your doggo will indeed thank you later.
Rachel Poli is a content writer and author, but her real job is being a stay-at-home pet mom. Her zoo currently consists of a dog, a cat, two turtles, and two fish tanks. She’s also an avid pet sitter for a few local families, caring for various animals.
After realizing how little information there is for pet sitters on the internet, Rachel decided to start her own animal website. She strives to educate pet parents and pet sitters about the overall care of our furry friends.