When you want to add some variety to your diet, you might buy a few mangoes as a sweet yet healthy treat. While your dog might also enjoy a taste of this unique fruit, it’s important to determine whether it’s safe for your four-legged friend. Broadly speaking, it’s okay to give dogs some mango, but there are a few factors to consider before tossing a slice to your pet.
Mango for Dogs: Is It Safe?
Can dogs eat mangoes? While some fruits are unsafe for all dogs, mangoes do not fall into this category. Aside from the pit, there aren’t any substances in a mango that are toxic for your dog. However, the sugar content is a concern. Just as sodium is an issue when feeding your dog pretzels, it’s important to know that mangoes are very high in sugar. There are 46 grams of sugar in one mango.
The Nutritional Value of Mango for Dogs
Is mango good for dogs? When feeding fruit to a pet, many people want to know if there’s any nutritional value for their dogs. While all fruit provides some health benefits, mangoes are powerhouses of essential nutrients. In addition to providing plenty of natural fiber, mangoes have alpha-carotene for immune strength and beta-carotene for eye, bone, and skin health.
In addition to those health benefits, mangoes are a great source of vitamins A, B6, C, and E. The fruit is also an excellent source of potassium, which is an electrolyte that helps maintain electrical charges in the heart, nerves, and muscles.
The Negative Health Impact of Mango
Just as letting your dog eat coconut in moderation is okay and beneficial, you can occasionally share mangoes with your dog on rare occasions. Even though this fruit is nutrient-rich, it’s also high in sugar and carbs. In addition to the 46 grams of sugar in each mango, the high carb content is a health hazard.
As your dog consumes carbs, the body will convert those carbs to sugar, increasing blood glucose levels further. For a dog suffering from obesity, diabetes, or heart disease, the increased glucose levels can be dangerous. If you know your dog suffers from these health conditions, it might be better to avoid feeding mangoes to your dog.
Preparing Mango for Dogs to Eat
Feed mango slices to your dog in manageable sizes. The pit contains cyanide, so never let your dog have this part of the fruit. Can dogs eat mango peel safely? The peel is not toxic, but it does represent a choking hazard, and it’s tough to chew. Additionally, dogs have difficulty digesting the peel. Remove the peel before feeding any mango to your dog to avoid health emergencies.
Feeding Your Dog Dried Mango
Can dogs eat dried mango? While dried mango is just as good for your dog as fresh fruit, avoid buying processed dried fruit from a store. Manufacturers add preservatives, extra sugar, and other additives when they process dried fruit. Use a dehydrator at home to keep the fruit safer for your dog.
How Much Mango Can Your Dog Eat?
Can dogs have mangoes in large quantities? Too much mango is never good for any dog. Even if your pet is healthy, high amounts of sugar can contribute to weight gain and other metabolic conditions. You should limit all of the treats you feed your dog. Generally, treats should only comprise 10% of your dog’s diet.
In terms of letting dogs eat mango, the following guide might be helpful:
- Toy dogs (up to 20 pounds) can have 1 to 2 ½-inch wide pieces
- Small dogs (21-30 pounds) can have 2 to 3 1-inch wide pieces
- Medium dogs (31-50 pounds) can have 5 to 6 1-inch wide pieces
- Large dogs (51-90 pounds) can have 7 to 8 1-inch wide pieces
- Extra-large dogs (over 91 pounds) can have up to 10 1-inch wide pieces
Even if your dog doesn’t suffer from a known health condition, they might exhibit an allergic reaction after eating mangoes. Contact your vet immediately if your dog begins vomiting, panting heavily, or develops excessive diarrhea. Other signs of a bad reaction include fatigue, irritability, or general weakness.
Mangoes Make a Refreshing Treat
Despite the sugar and carbs in mangoes, they can provide a wealth of health benefits for your dog. While this doesn’t mean you should let your dog have too much of this fruit, it can be an enjoyable treat on infrequent occasions.
