Mango is a nourishing fruit high in fiber and vitamins. If you enjoy eating it, you might be wondering, “Can dogs eat mango?” They can, but you need to be careful how you serve it. Like other fruits high in sugar, your dog should only eat mango in moderate amounts.
Let’s find out more about this juicy, flavorful fruit:
- What’s a Mango, and Where Does It Come From?
- Nutrition & Health Benefits
- Possible Dangers
- Recommended Amount for Dogs
- Serving Ideas
Biting Into the Wonders of a Juicy Golden Mango
Since ancient times, the tropical tree Mangifera Indica has produced this salutary stone fruit in South and Southeast Asia territories. So, dogs and mango have been friends ever since.
Mangos 101
Mango’s name derives from India, but it has changed a lot.
The first name of this tropical fruit was “Amra-Phal.” When it got to South India, the Tamil people translated it to “Aam-Kaay,” but because of distinct pronunciations, the name slowly changed into “Maamkay.”
Later, the Malayalis changed the name to “Maanga.” Finally, when the Portuguese met the fruit, they fell in love with it and named it “Mango.”
Did you know that mango is the national fruit of three countries? The Philippines, Pakistan, and India have chosen the fruit to represent their cultures.
There are hundreds of varieties. Each has a unique flavor and texture, and all mango is ok for dogs. Here’s a list of the most popular mangoes:
- Francis — Ecuador and Haiti
- Haden — Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru
- Kent — Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru
- Rainbow — Japan, Thailand, India
- Tommy Atkins — Ecuador, Brazil, Guatemala, and Mexico
- Irwin — Florida, Australia, Taiwan, Central America, and Japan
- Glenn — Florida
- Valencia Pride — Florida and California
- Alphonso — India
- Bombay Green — Northern India
- Amrapali — India
- Neelam — Across the globe
- Chok Anan — Pakistan, India, Thailand, and Bangladesh
- Himsagar — West Bengal and Orissa
- Malgoba — Karnata and Tamil Nadu
- Mallika — India
- Ivory — Thailand and China
India is famous for its rich culture and spirituality. The country considers some trees sacred, and among them is the mango — a symbol of fertility and love.
As such, they use it in social and religious ceremonies. Buddhists deeply admire the tree and believe that Buddha used a mango seed to grow an enormous tree in an Indian district named Shravasti.
It Takes Two to Mango, But What Is the Outcome for Dogs?
As a heavenly tasty and nutritious food, mango is great for humans. But is mango good for dogs?
The fruit is high in fiber and beats even some natural dog vitamins, so it isn’t dangerous for your furry baby. But you should peel it and clear the mango pit to avoid a choking hazard.
Mangoficent Nutrition
Although nourishing, the mango is low in calories, which is great news if your dog has weight issues. So, let’s check out the daily value of a cup of mango:
- 67% Vitamin C — a valuable antioxidant that decreases cognitive aging and inflammation
- 24.7% Carbohydrates — provide energy
- 20% Copper — absorbing iron and producing red blood cells
- 18% Folate — needed for red blood cells production and normal metabolic function
- 12% Vitamin B6 — helps the red blood cells production, aids the nervous and immune systems, and it’s good for the brain
- 10% Vitamin A — important for good vision, development and growth, and good immune system
- 6% Potassium — helps the muscles, heart, and nerves functioning
- 2.6 g Dietary fiber — essential for proper digestion
- 1.4 g Protein — crucial for repair and tissue growth
Mangoficent Health Benefits
Dogs can eat mango and enjoy the numerous health benefits the fruit offers with its nutrients. But let’s dig deeper and see what they are:
- Stabilizes the digestive system
- Boosts immunity
- Reduces anxiety & has a calming effect
- Good for the eyes
- Maintains the cholesterol level
- Improves dog’s skin
- Helps weight loss
- Protects against free radicals
- Supports a healthy heart
- Improves coat health
- Reduces the risk of cancer because of its antioxidant properties
Possible Dangers — The Bummer of the Summer Fruit
Can dogs eat mango? It may be a delicious and healthy fruit treat for a dog, but it also has negative sides. So, before you treat your furry pal to some juicy and yummy mango, you should know how to keep your baby safe.
Here’s why mango may be a danger:
- The pit may cause choking or an obstruction in the intestines. If this happens by accident, and you notice changes in appetite or behavior, consult your vet at once to find out why your dog isn’t eating.
- The pit is also toxic and may cause overall health problems because it contains cyanide.
- Dogs cannot eat mango skin because it’s difficult to digest.
- High levels of fiber in the fruit may cause diarrhea or stomach problems.
- The sugar in mango may worsen your pet’s dental health.
Before giving your dog any new food, you should consult your vet.
What Is the Best Dosage?
Is mango bad for dogs if you feed them big portions? There are dangers to offering your dog too much mango, so you should be careful. Try giving your pup just a bit from time to time, and make sure the portion remains 10% of the total food intake for the day.
Feeding your furry pal lots of mangos may cause belly issues. Also, dogs with diabetes shouldn’t consume mango since it’s high in sugar. They should be strictly on dog food for diabetes.
How to Serve
Before you give your furry pal mango, you should wash it thoroughly to remove the pesticides. Then, to avoid digestive blockage, peel the skin and remove the pit.
If you want the mango to be safe for dogs, you should cut it into small slices. Besides offering fresh mango, you can serve this treat to your pet in the following ways:
Mango Puree
Blend the cleaned mango slices until you get a smooth texture. Depending on your preferences, you can add a bit of water or milk.
Frozen Mango Slices
Put the nicely cut and cleaned slices in the fridge for a few hours to get a perfect cold treat for long and hot summer days.
Mango Ice Cream
Add two mangoes, one freshly squeezed orange, one freshly squeezed lemon, and half a cup of almond milk to a blender. Pour the puree into ice cubes or a baking tray. Put in the freezer and serve the next day. Not only is mango good for dogs, but it’s also good for you.
Dehydrated Mango Dog Treats
Peel the mango into very thin slices, soak them in lemon juice, dry them with a towel, and put them in a dehydrator at 130 degrees. They’ll need about four hours.
If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use your oven. Just put the mango slices on a baking paper and bake for about 2–3 hours until they’re dry.
Wrap Up
Every pet parent wants the best for their furry baby. As food is an essential part of your dog’s life, you need to know as much as possible about it. Although the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat mango?” is affirmative, you still need to be cautious when introducing your dog to new food.
Mango is a highly nutritious fruit that’s good for your four-legged friend’s health, but you should serve it properly: wash, peel, remove the pit, and cut it into small slices. You can also try different ways to treat your pup to some tasty mango.If your pup doesn’t like mango, try a different fruit. We recommend papaya for dogs as another natural and safe treat with many health benefits.
