Dogs are known to be happy eaters who enjoy any meal. As pet owners, we have to make sure that anything they eat doesn’t bring any trouble. So, can dogs eat mangos?
The quick answer is yes. Dogs can eat mangos. They can even be beneficial when served in the proper amounts and in the right way. In this blog, we’ll share everything you need to know about mangoes for dogs, from the benefits to how it’s best prepared.
Is a Mango Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Mangos are non-toxic fruits for dogs, and they can provide a wide array of nutritional benefits as long as they are given in strict moderation. Plus, they are easy to prepare. They can easily fit into your dog’s diet, provided that they are served in the right amounts.
Why Are Mangos Good for Dogs?
Mangos are packed with the essential nutrients dogs need to thrive and grow into healthy pets. These benefits support the maintenance of your dogs and help prevent any unwanted issues from happening easily. Here are the nutritional benefits of mangos for dogs:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential vitamin that maintains clear and high-quality eyesight for dogs. This vitamin helps protect the cornea and improves their ability to see at night. Vitamin A is also crucial for helping keep a healthy immune system, skin, and coat.
Through this, mangos can be good treats for boosting skin health and improving wound healing.
Vitamin B6
Mangos also contain vitamin B6, which helps your dog improve its brain function. This vitamin helps create neurotransmitters such as serotonin, regulating your dog’s behavior and overall mood.
Along with regulating your dog’s behavior, it’s also useful for maintaining metabolism and hormones.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C boasts three benefits for your dogs: immune system support, inflammation reduction, and collagen production. This vitamin helps dogs produce more phagocytes, which are essential for eliminating bacteria and other dead cells.
It’s also useful for reducing inflammation because it acts as an antioxidant that removes free radicals. Lastly, vitamin C is also crucial for collagen production, a process that maintains a dog’s skin, tissues, and joints.
Vitamin E
While Vitamins A and C are more focused on creating protective barriers for your dogs, Vitamin E supports the body they are protecting by enhancing skin health, coat condition, and cell function. Just like Vitamin C, Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that helps keep free radicals at bay.
It’s also useful for allowing proper blood flow and improving red blood cell production. This maintains the function of the red blood cells in delivering oxygen and disposing of waste.
Potassium
Potassium is a mineral that helps your dog’s essential organs maintain their functional capacities. It’s especially helpful for avoiding heart disease.
In addition to this, potassium helps prevent muscle cramps and keeps your dog’s muscles intact and healthy, preventing potential injuries. It is also good for fluid balance, which benefits bodily functions such as digestion, temperature regulation, and overall organ function.
Magnesium
While potassium focuses on your dog’s muscle and organ function, magnesium helps by also providing support for muscles, bones, and energy production. A good amount of magnesium helps keep your dog’s bones healthy and strong.
Fiber
Fiber is a carbohydrate that helps in your dog’s digestion and gut health. When dogs eat mangos, the fiber allows their bodies to have an easier time taking in nutrients that support their growth while maintaining a healthy tummy.
It’s also a good component that avoids constipation. Additionally, good amounts of fiber can help promote fullness in dogs, easily avoiding problems with weight and diet. However, too much can be counterproductive.
Can Puppies Eat Mangos?
Yes, puppies can eat mangos, but you would have to give only a little bit. The high sugar content might be too much for these young dogs, so make sure to focus on their main diets.
What Are the Risks of Mangos for Dogs?
While dogs can eat mangos, there are some risks you should consider before feeding these sweet fruits. This allows you to maximize the benefits and minimize the dangers. Here are the general precautions:
Feeding Too Much
Sugar is bad for dogs. Since mango has high amounts of it, eating too much can be dangerous. In some cases, too much sugar intake can result in:
Digestive upset
Heart disease
Additionally, the high amounts of fiber can also contribute to weight gain.
Choking Hazard and Digestive Issues
The hard pit poses a choking hazard, possibly resulting in intestinal blockages. This can result in more severe gastrointestinal issues that will impact your dog’s overall health. Additionally, the pit also contains cyanide, which is released when it breaks.
While the cyanide content of the pit is considerably low, it’s safer to avoid giving it completely.
Dogs cannot eat the mango peels. The mango’s skin is also tough and fibrous, and it is a potential choking hazard capable of causing digestive upset. Aside from this, the skin also has urushiol, an irritant present in poison ivy.
Food Allergies
While allergies to mangos are rare in dogs, they can still happen. If your dog is allergic to this fruit, it may develop allergic reactions in the skin, such as itching, irritation, and redness.
Vet Tips: How to Prepare Mangos for Dogs
Preparing mangos for your dog to eat is a simple task that should be given the most attention. Our dogs need our help with whatever they eat. When we prepare the food they eat, we can make sure it’s safe and healthy. Here are a few tips:
Wash and Peel
When preparing mangos for your dogs, it is crucial to remove the skin. But first, wash the skin to remove pesticides, dirt, and debris. Even though we’ll be peeling it, it’s recommended to wash away the particles in case they get into the fruit.
Remove the Seed
Next, separate the fruit from the seed. Removing the mango pit is an important part due to the risk of choking and toxicity. With that, we recommend removing it first before giving mangos to dogs.
Slice in Small Portions
Once you have the peeled fruit, slice it up into small pieces for your dogs to eat. While the fruit is soft, giving small pieces and portions allows you to control the pace at which your dog eats. It essentially prevents them from gulping down the fruit.
Feed Gradually
When you have sliced the mango into small pieces, start feeding gradually. Make sure your dog swallows it before giving it another piece. Feeding slowly allows you to monitor your dog and check for any reactions it may have. Here’s a general guide:
Dog Size | Amount of Mangos |
|---|---|
Small (Less than 10 kg) | 1 to 3 cubes |
Medium (11 to 25 kg) | 4 to 6 cubes |
Large (26 to 45 kg) | 7 to 10 cubes |
Giant (More than 45 kg) | 11 to 14 cubes |
Ways to Give Your Dog Mangos
Aside from the usual ways to serve this sweet treat, here are some creative ways to let your dog eat some mangos.
Mashed. Mashing the mango can be a great way to give this fruit to your dog. Plus, you can easily place mashed mango on your dog’s food.
Frozen. Frozen mango is a good choice when the weather is a bit hot.
Smoothie. Smoothies make the experience extra special, as they can be mixed with other fruits such as blueberries and watermelon. Plus, they’re perfect for sunny days.
“Good nutrition gives dogs the energy to run, play, and love.”
- Dr. Paulina Czerska
Final Thoughts: Is Mango Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Yes, mangos are safe for dogs, provided that they’re prepared the right way. Removing the peel and pit makes the fruit easy to digest, helping dogs obtain the full nutrients and satisfaction.
But while dogs can eat mangos, these fruits should only be given as a treat. As a general rule, treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet. Your dog will benefit more from a balanced meal rather than a diet full of mangos and sweets.
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