If you are into tropical fruit, you probably love eating mangoes. Mango is an excellent summer snack that can be eaten fresh, as a frozen treat, or as the main ingredient in a delicious fruit smoothie.
Whether you’re a huge mango lover or an occasional consumer, you have probably wondered if you can share a bite of this tropical delight with your pooch!
So, can dogs eat mango? Yes, dogs can eat mango as a treat. Mangoes are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can boost your dog’s immune system. This tropical fruit is also rich in fiber which supports digestion. Don’t feed mango pits and skins to your dog since they are a choking hazard and hard to digest.
In this article, we’ll cover all benefits and risks of feeding mango to dogs. Continue reading to learn whether mangoes are safe for dogs and how to serve them to your pooch!
Is Mango Good for Dogs?
Mango is a safe tasty treat that’s super easy for dogs to eat. Its soft and juicy flesh is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can boost your dog’s overall health.
This tropical fruit is also a great source of dietary fiber that can keep your dog feel full longer and also encourage good digestion. Mango contains higher levels of vitamins A, B6, and C which are necessary for many functions in your dog’s body.
However, mango is high in sugar which makes it problematic for dogs who have diabetes or need to lose weight. If your pooch has any health problems, talk with your vet before letting them eat mango.
Benefits of Mango for Dogs
Eating mango as a treat can have many benefits for your dog and improve their overall health. Besides, most dogs love to eat mango so you can use it as a high-value and delicious treat.
The biggest benefits of feeding mango to your dog are:
1. Mango for A Strong Immune System
Mango is naturally rich in vitamin C, an essential nutrient that is involved in many body functions. Besides ensuring the proper functioning of your dog’s immune system, vitamin C is also necessary for growth and development and helps repair tissues.
2. Mango Supports Good Digestion
Mango is a great source of dietary fiber, which promotes good digestion and can help regulate your dog’s bowel movements (source). If your dog suffers from diarrhea or constipation, the fiber found in mango can help relieve those digestive issues.
3. Mango Prevents Degenerative Diseases
The biggest benefit of mango for dogs is its high concentration of powerful antioxidants. These compounds inhibit oxidation which creates free radicals that damage cells and cause serious diseases like cancer.
Feeding your dog mango on a regular basis may prevent age-related degenerative diseases and minimize the chance of your dog getting cancer at some later point in life.
4. Mango Promotes Eye Health
Mango also contains high levels of vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin that helps dogs maintain their optimal health. Besides promoting better eyesight, this vitamin also supports skin, coat, and muscle health.
Risks of Mango for Dogs
While the fleshy part of the mango is completely safe for dogs to eat, not all parts of this tropical fruit are good for dogs. Listed below are the most common risks of feeding a dog mango:
1. Upset Stomach
Like other fruits, mangoes contain a lot of fiber, which can be problematic for dogs who aren’t used to eating high-fiber pet food. Too much fiber can cause gastrointestinal upset and result in diarrhea and vomiting.
If your dog gets an upset stomach, stop feeding them mango and give their stomach a day to recover. Additionally, mango’s high sugar count can also cause a tummy upset in some dogs which can result in constipation or diarrhea.
2. Mango Pits & Skins
Although mango is an excellent treat for dogs, its skins and pits aren’t good for dogs to eat. Mango’s skin is technically edible, but it may be hard to digest and cause an upset stomach or intestinal blockage.
Mango pits, on the other hand, pose a choking hazard and also contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs and cats (source). When swallowed whole, the pit can also cause an intestinal blockage which may require surgery.
How Much Mango Can I Give My Dog?
Feed your dog mango moderately as a treat. Like all other treats, mango should make only up to 10 percent of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
If you are having trouble figuring how many mangoes you can give to your dog, consult your vet. They will be able to tell you exactly how much mango should your dog eat based on its size, age, and activity level.
How to Feed Mango to Your Dog?
Dogs can eat mango in many different ways, just make sure to remove the skin and the pit first. Once all the choking hazards are out of the way you can feed your pooch mango however you see fit.
Popular ways to feed mango to dogs are:
- Cut and serve pieces of mango as treats
- Cut mango into cubes and mix it with dog food
- Feed frozen mango slices as a tasty summer treat
- Puree fresh mango and mix it with plain yogurt
- Mix mango, blueberries, and carrots for a vitamin-packed smoothie
- Dry mango slices and feed them as chewy treats
Conclusion
Delicious and nutritious, mango is completely safe for dogs to eat and can be an extremely healthy summer snack for your pooch. Full of antioxidants, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, mango can boost your dog’s immune system and help it fight diseases.
However, mango pits and skins aren’t safe or good for dogs to eat and can pose a risk of choking and intestinal blockage. So, only feed your dog skinless and pitted mango in moderation as a juicy and sweet occasional treat.
Related Articles:
0 Comments