Can Dogs Eat Mango?
With Summer just around the corner, I am thinking of all the fresh fruit that will be in abundance in the grocery stores and at the local farm stands. But I am not just thinking for myself. I’m thinking of my four-legged friends as well.
Mango is by far one of my favorite treats at pretty much any time of the year. But can dogs eat mango? I certainly don’t want to give them anything that could make them sick.
Yes! Dogs can eat mango, and in fact, they quite enjoy it.
This article will explain the mango and what makes it such a great dog treat. I will also talk about other healthy treats your dog can enjoy through the hot summer or any time of year.
Can Dogs Eat Mango?
With anything we feed our dogs, we want to make sure it’s healthy. Thankfully, mangos are super healthy. But not all parts of the fruit should be eaten either, and it needs to be fed in moderation.
What is a Mango?
The yummy mango is believed to be from Bangladesh and India. But today, there are many different types of mangos throughout the world.
They vary in taste, size, shape, and color. The inside of the mango can be yellow, orange, or even green.
Mango remains India’s national fruit, and the mango tree is home to Bangladesh.
What Makes the Mango Good For Dogs?
Mangos are an amazing fruit not only for us but for our dogs. Mango is chock full of beta-carotene and other antioxidants. It’s the beta-carotene that gives mangos their yellow and orange color.
Mangos are also high in protein, fiber, and other minerals. They contain several essential vitamins like B6, vitamin B, vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Vitamin A is a critical nutrient for dogs as it supports their reproductive growth, coat, and skin.
Mangos can also help with tummy trouble in dogs if given in small amounts. It can also help with diarrhea and constipation.
Is There Any Special Way to Feed Mangos to My Dog?
Before doing anything, always reach out to your veterinarian to ensure you have the correct portion size, as mangos contain sugar. The last thing you want is to throw off your dog’s diet.
You also want to stick to fresh mango, as dried mango is much higher in sugar and calories and has fewer nutrients.
Mangos need to be cut up a certain way first, and you want to start with a very small piece if your dog hasn’t had it before.
- You will first want to peel all of the skin off of the mango. Mango skin contains a substance called urushiol, which is similar to what is in poison ivy and poison oak. Dogs can vomit and have diarrhea if they ingest it.
- Cut the mango in half and remove the pit. Never give the pit to your dog as it is a choking hazard and can easily become lodged in your dog’s throat or digestive tract. Anything that gets stuck in your dog’s GI tract can be fatal if left untreated. Often, blockages in the GI tract need to be surgically removed.
- Cut the mango into small pieces, about the size of a quarter or a half dollar, before feeding it to your dog. Start with one piece and see how she does.
Other Ways to Give Your Dog Mango
There are some other fun ways you can incorporate mango into your dog’s diet for a treat.
- Mango will freeze well, so it’s a great treat on a hot day if you precut and then freeze it.
- Mango can be added to your dog’s food in small amounts.
- Mango can be made into a dog smoothie. Add some mango to ¼ cup of chicken broth, some banana, spinach, cucumber, and ice, and blend until smooth. Smoothies are a great way to stay hydrated and get some healthy treats into your dog.
- Another fruity smoothie can be made by adding mango to ¼ cup of unsweetened coconut milk, banana, frozen pineapple, and ice. Heck, I’d even try that one!
FAQs
Here are the answers to a few questions that come up regularly regarding feeding mangos to dogs.
Can Mangos be Dangerous to Dogs?
Mangos are not poisonous or dangerous to dogs under normal circumstances. However, if your dog suffers from diabetes or pancreatitis, you may want to avoid it. Mango has sugar, which can be dangerous to dogs with these ailments.
Can My Dog Eat Mango Skin?
You definitely want to avoid mango skin. As mentioned above, it contains urushiol, the chemical found in poison ivy and poison oak. Not only can it cause stomach upset in your dog, but it can also cause a skin rash much like the one humans get after coming in contact with those plants.
What About Mango Juice?
Avoid giving your dog mango juice. Fresh mango juice that would naturally end up in a smoothie is okay but stay away from the processed mango juices. The juices aren’t toxic, but they contain added sugars, preservatives, and artificial coloring.
How Much Mango Should My Dog Have?
While you want to confirm anything with your veterinarian, I would not feed more than a ¼ cup of mango a week for small breeds. For larger breeds, you could probably do this twice a week.
What Other Fruits and Veggies Can My Dog Enjoy?
Mango is not the only yummy treat you can give your dog. I’ve listed some other fruits and veggies as well as their benefits to dogs.
- Bananas
- Apples
- Cantaloupe
- Blueberries
- Cucumbers
- Oranges
- Pears
Bananas
Bananas, in moderation, are great for dogs. They are low calorie and high in fiber, potassium, vitamins, and biotin, and they are also low in sodium and cholesterol. However, they are high in sugar and should only be given as a treat now and then.
Apples
Apples are great because they are an excellent source of vitamin A and C, and they also have fiber. Apples are low in protein and fat, making them an ideal snack for older dogs.
A word to the wise about apples, though. You must remove the seeds, and the apple’s core as this can make your dog sick.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is one of my dog’s favorite fruits, and it’s a great source of nutrients and fiber and is low in calories. But like mango, cantaloupe is high in sugar and should be avoided by dogs with diabetes.
Blueberries
I’ll admit, I was surprised by this one! But blueberries are excellent for dogs, just as they are for us. Rich in antioxidants, they are also full of phytochemicals and fiber.
Blueberries also make an excellent treat for rewarding good behavior during training.
Cucumbers
Another of my dog’s favorites, cucumbers, are a great option for overweight dogs (which mine is).
There are almost no carbs, oils, or fats in cucumbers. But they are loaded with potassium, magnesium, biotin, and vitamins K, C and B1.
Oranges
This is another one that surprised me, but according to vets, oranges are just fine for dogs. That’s not to say the strong citrus scent may turn off some dogs. But oranges are a great source of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
The flesh of the orange should only be given, and not the skin. The peel isn’t toxic to dogs, but it can cause tummy upset.
Pears
High in fiber, vitamins C and K, pears make great snacks for dogs. Pears need to have their pit and seeds removed as they contain small traces of cyanide.
Pears should be cut up into small pieces, and you only want to feed them fresh. Don’t give your dog any canned pears as they are loaded with sugar.
What Fruits and Veggies Should My Dog Stay Away From?
With the good comes the bad and downright dangerous when it comes to treats for dogs. Along with grapes and raisins, I’ve listed some fruits and vegetables that you should never give your dog.
Avocado
Avocado may be great for humans, but it’s a big no-no for dogs. The skin, the pit, and the leaves of avocados all contain a toxin called persin, which causes diarrhea and vomiting in dogs.
While the fleshy part of the avocado doesn’t have as much persin, there is still too much to even consider.
Cherries
Cherries contain cyanide and are toxic to dogs, so they, too, are a big no. Cyanide is especially dangerous as it halts oxygen transport, which means your dog’s red blood cells can’t get the oxygen they need if they eat cherries.
If a dog consumes cherries, you want to immediately get her to a veterinarian. Dilated pupils, breathing difficulty, and red gums are signs of cyanide poisoning.
Conclusion
Mangos are an excellent treat for dogs as long as they are given in moderation, along with bananas, cantaloupe, and several other fruits and vegetables. However, dogs should never have avocado and cherries.
