Many humans, squirrels, raccoons, and deer worldwide enjoy the refreshing juicy mango. But is it safe for our dogs? Let’s find out if you can treat your dog to mango and the best practices when letting your dog have a nibble.
Mango is safe for dogs to eat, but only in moderation. Dogs should eat mango in its raw form, pitted and peeled. Mango has many healthy vitamins and minerals that are important for your dog’s health, such as vitamin A, C, B6, E and K, fibre, iron and magnesium.
Mango is a popular tropical fruit that originated in Southeast Asia and first appeared 4000 years ago. This delicious treat has been enjoyed around the world for centuries!
The mango plant’s leaves are green or dark purple on top with smooth edges, while the underside can be either light green or silverish-green depending on how much moisture they have received from rainwater/dew.
Now we know that our dogs can enjoy mango. Let’s go through the safest way of offering your dog mango and the health benefits for a dog.
Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin A, C, B6, E and K
- Calcium
- Copper
- Magnesium
- Fibre
- Iron
- Potassium
- Beta-carotene
Health Benefits
- Healthy bones
- Promotes good heart health
- Helps with a dog suffering from arthritis
- Healing powers
- Improved digestion
- Disease fighting
- Cellular repair
- Improves coat
- Improve eye vision
Best Served
Mango is best offered to a dog in its raw form, the skin is stripped off and the pip removed. Never add anything to the mango, such as seasoning. Please don’t give them canned mango or dried as it’s kept or dried in sugar, which is very unhealthy for a dog.
Amount
Depending on the size of your dog will depend on the amount you can safely treat them with mango. For a small dog like a chihuahua, you should only provide them with a 1cm by 1cm piece of mango at any one time. A larger dog like a Labrador can have four 1cm by 1cm pieces of mango. Medium dogs like a Jack Russell can be treated with two 1cm by 1cm pieces.
| Size of Dog | Amount | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Small | One – 1cm by 1cm piece | Twice a week |
| Medium | Two – 1cm by 1cm pieces | Twice a week |
| Large | Four – 1cm by 1cm pieces | Twice a week |
Best Served Recap
- Remove the pip before serving
- Remove the skin before serving
- Ensure the mango is fresh and not spoiled.
- Organic is the best to avoid any pesticides.
- Keep it plain, do not add anything to it
- Don’t give dogs mango from a can
- Don’t give dogs dried mango
- Give dogs the recommended amount
If your dog suffers from any health problems such as pancreatitis, diabetes, or is overweight, do not give them mango. Always consult your vet before giving new foods to a dog.
What happens if I feed my dog too much?
If your dog overeats mango, it can induce diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and weight gain due to the high contents of vitamin C, sugar and fibre.
Symptoms
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
- Dental decay
Continued overfeeding of mango can lead to diabetes that could be irreversible. It is vital to offer your dog mango every few days and only the recommended serving amount. Please don’t treat your dog with any other fruits on the same day you provide them with mango.
Other Fruits
Many fruits are great for dogs to eat if prepared and given correctly. Here is a table with the most common fruits.
| Food Item | Safe | Important Information |
|---|---|---|
| Mango | Yes | Dogs should eat mango in its raw form, pitted and peeled. |
| Pineapple | Yes | Dogs should eat pineapple without the skin or core. Do not give your dog canned or dried pineapple. |
| Raspberries | Yes | Dogs can safely eat raspberries in moderation. |
| Blackberries | Yes | Blackberries are safe for dogs to consume in moderation. |
| Grapes | No | If a dog eats grapes in any form, such as raisins, currants, sultanas, or grape juice, it can have severe reactions that can be life-threatening. |
| Banana | Yes | Limiting how much bananas your dog eats is crucial because they are high in natural sugars. Dogs that have diabetes or are overweight should not eat bananas. |
Can puppies have mango?
Young puppies are unable to handle the mango fruit. Your puppy’s stomach isn’t fully developed before three months, so it would be best if you waited three months before giving your dog any foods that may cause an upset stomach or digestive problems.
Remember only a small piece to start with, such as a 1cm by 1cm size, and even smaller for toy dog breeds.
Do all dogs like mango?
No, not all dogs will like mango the fruit. Some do, and some don’t. Like humans, all dog taste buds are different, and the only way to know for sure if your dog likes mango or not is by presenting them with some of this juicy tropical treat!
What are some of the risks associated with giving your dog pineapple?
If served and appropriately prepared, the mango flesh has no health risk to dogs. The only danger is overfeeding a dog mango, which can cause many health problems. Being a responsible dog parent, you need to ensure that you offer the correct portion size and remove the pip and skin.
How do I know if my dog is allergic to mango or not?
You can complete a food intolerance test with a vet, primarily if your dog is known to have other allergies. However, it’s a simple case of trial and error in most cases. If it’s your first time feeding your dog with mango, make sure you watch them closely for any changes in your dog.
Can a dog have frozen mango?
Yes, dogs can eat frozen mango fruit, be sure to follow the recommended amount and freeze them in only 1cm by 1cm cubes regardless of the dog’s size, as this will avoid any choking hazards.
Can a dog have mango juice?
It’s not worth a dog having mango juice. The amount of juiced mango would be minimal to keep in line with the recommended amount. It just wouldn’t be worth it. Plus, several mango juices sold on the market come with added sugars or sweeteners. Both of these are unhealthy for dogs, especially human-made sweeteners; its very toxic to dogs.
Can a dog have dried mango?
Do not give your dog dried mango because the drying process of fruit requires a lot of sugar, and too much sugar for a dog is bad for their health. Excessive sugar consumption in dogs can cause them to gain weight, have tooth decay, and develop diabetes. Also, dried bits of fruit can cause a choking hazard and cause intestinal blockages.
Recap
Remember that moderation is so important when treating your dog to mango. Also, if you have already treated your dog on the same day fruit already, avoid giving them mango. Save it for a day that they haven’t had any other sugary fruit treats.
