Can dogs eat mango or should you keep your pet away from this tropical fruit?
It’s no secret that dogs like to eat human foods. In fact, if they got the chance, they’d probably choose literally anything we’re anything over a bowl of their kibble. This doesn’t mean they should eat any human food, though- a lot of our favorite foods could actually be toxic for our pooches, such as grapes or chocolate. The fact that some foods could be lethal to dogs makes most dog owners wary when it comes to feeding their pooch something off their plate.
However, dogs are omnivores, and, as such, need to have a diverse, well-balanced diet. And, yes, that includes dog-safe fruits and veggies, as well. In fact, scientific research has shown that canines have genes that are essential for breaking down starch and natural sugar, which they would only have if plant-based foods were supposed to be a part of their diet. Nowadays, most (if not all) of canine nutritional needs have been met in commercial foods, such as dry kibble or specially formulated canned dog food. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give your pet an occasional treat in form of fruits and veggies, as long as you choose a dog-safe one and follow serving guidance.
can dogs eat mango
Can Dogs Eat Mango?
Mango is safe for dogs
But, if you are in the clique of pawrents who are trying to find out which fruits are safe for their dogs to eat because you want to add fruit to their meal or use it as a treat, you need to read the longer version- to make sure that you won’t inadvertently cause any health issues for your precious pet. Because, you know, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, unfortunately.
in moderate amount and occasionally
Additionally, when you read that mango is safe for dogs, you should know that it refers to the flesh of the fruit, and not its skin and the pit. While they are not poisonous or toxic per se, these parts of mango could pose a treat to your dog’s health.
Can Dogs Eat Mango Without Risk of Side-Effects?
Although mango is not one of the fruits toxic to dogs, such as grapes, it still doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take any precautions when feeding it your furry bestie. For instance, mango is quite sugary, and although natural sugars are not as harmful to canines as artificial ones, overindulging in sweet fruit can have adverse effects, such as weight gain or spikes in blood sugar. For that reason alone, mango is not a safe treat for diabetic dogs.
Another important issue to address is knowing which parts of mango are pupper-edible. While there’s no reason to wonder can dogs eat mango flesh, you should be concerned about thick mango skin and the flat oblong mango pit that’s located in the center of the fruit. Dogs shouldn’t eat mango skin because it can be a bit tough to digest, and gobbling it down can upset the stomach of the greedy pooch who ate it.
On the other hand, mango pits are unsafe for dogs bot because they pose a choking hazard, and because they contain cyanide. Granted, the levels of cyanide are quite low in mango pits (unlike cherry and peach pits), but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If your dog accidentally ate a mango pit, monitor them until you can verify that it passed through their system (to be precise, until you can see it in their poop) and contact your vet if you notice any odd behavior- including apathy, vomiting, seizures, or breathing problems. Even if your pet didn’t choke on the pit, it might be lodged in their digestive tract.
Are There Benefits to Feeding Your Dog Mango?
Can dogs eat mango and have any health benefits from it? Mango is not only delicious but nutritious as well. This yummy exotic fruit is rich in vitamins A, B6, C, and E, and has a high content of dietary fiber. All of these nutrients can help support your pet’s overall health, but, in all reality, relying on mango to provide any of the vital nutrients and improve your pooch’s well-being, is not something you should do.
Mango is a healthy fruit, but in quantities, it’s allowed for dogs, it can’t make a big difference for their health. It can be beneficial as an occasional treat that complements a well-balanced and a complete diet for dogs, but there are other fruits that have more merit for our furry companions. For instance, blueberries, pumpkins, or apples are equally loved by canines but contain more nutrients that are useful to dogs in particular.
How to Give Mango to Your Dog
OK, now that you don’t have any doubts about can dogs eat mango safely, the question remains how best to serve it to your four-legged royal. The safest and the easiest way of serving mango to your pet is giving them a slice or two of peeled mango. If the mango is ripe and soft, it’s perfectly OK to give your pet a piece to chew on, but if it’s firm and you have a petite pooch, slice it or cut to cubes before offering them this tropical delicacy. Depending on your dog’s size, the recommended amount can be anywhere from one slice for the smallest of pooches, to a half of a medium-sized mango for large doggos.
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