The sweet and refreshing taste of the fruit is one of the best ingredients for a fruit shake in the summer when it’s the most available, especially in tropical countries. When I drink my mango shake, my dogs start to look up at me with anticipation for the treat, I wonder: Can dogs eat mango?
The answer is yes, mangoes are as safe for dogs as they are for humans. Mangoes have a very high Vitamin C, B and E content that can improve your dog’s immune system to better fight off diseases. Not just that, they also provide high levels of fiber and antioxidants.
Being the pet owner of two adorable dogs, I know that having pets is one of the greatest joys in life. They are very caring and loyal companions to us so in return, we want to give them the best food and treats we can. Unfortunately, not all foods that are safe for us to consume are also safe for our beloved pets.
Read down below for more information about feeding your dogs mangoes and other fun feeding ideas.
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Can Mangoes Hurt Dogs?
Although ingesting mangoes is generally safe, the way we serve them may cause hazards if we are not careful. Removing the skin and the pit, then slicing up the mango is the safest way you can feed mango to your dog.
Not removing the pit can cause a choking hazard for your dogs. Also letting them chew on the seed can cause poisoning since the pit contains a small dose of cyanide.
Although ingesting mangoes is generally safe, the way we serve them may cause hazards if we are not careful.
Although the skin of the mango is edible, your dogs can have a hard time digesting it. It can also cause an upset stomach, vomiting, or blockage in the intestine.
Benefits of Giving Your Dogs Mangoes
The tropical fruit mango is very high in fiber and antioxidants such as Vitamin C, B, and E along with Magnesium and Potassium. The proper amount of vitamins and minerals are very helpful for your dog’s health and development. Mangoes also have a compound known as mangiferin that can reduce inflammation in the heart.
How Much Mango Can I Feed My Dog?
Around two ounces or a quarter cup of fresh mango per week is the best serving size for dogs. Giving your dogs mangoes should be a once in a while treat. Since mangoes contain a higher sugar content than other safe fruits for dogs, moderation is the key.
Like with humans, high sugar content can cause a slew of health problems for your dogs such as large weight gain, mobility issues, and dental problems. A diet with large sugar content can cause diabetes in the long term.
Is Unripe Mango Safe for Dogs?
Unripe mango is safe for dogs, although its strong sour taste can cause the dogs to dislike it.
Of course, every dog is different. One might not like it while others might. So, it’s best to give small bite-size portions to test out.
Is Dried Mango Safe for Dogs?
Dried mango is, in fact, not harmful to dogs. It contains high levels of natural sugar, providing energy that can be used by your dogs for playtimes, walk, and a lot of fun activities.
Although dried mango contains natural sugar, it can still cause a lot of problem. Giving your dog a huge amount of dried mangoes can be dangerous, especially if you do it in one sitting. It can cause diabetes and heart problems. I recommend to just give it every once in a while as a new treat. You can give it to them as a reward.
Can Dogs Eat Mango Skin?
Dogs can technically ingest the skin of the mango, although eating large portions can cause digestion problems. Eating mango skin can cause problems such as tummy aches and blockage in the intestines.
Are Dogs Allergic to Mangoes?
Dogs, like humans, can be allergic to a large number of things. Dogs’ allergic reaction to mangoes is rare but not unheard of.
It’s much safer when the first time you give your beloved pet a serving of mango, you do it with a small portion and watch for the symptoms of allergies.
If your dog shows irritation, especially around the eyes, contact your vet immediately or give them an anti-allergy medication as soon as possible.
Although the inner portion of the mango is relatively harmless, the skin of the mango can irritate if it came in contact with your dog’s skin.
The skin of a mango has a compound known as urushiol2, which can cause itchiness and swelling when came in contact with your dog’s fur. That’s one of the reasons why as dog owners, we should always check information before giving our pets anything.
4 Best Way to Serve Your Dogs Mangoes
- One of the best ways to give your dogs mangoes is to remove the pit and skin, then slice it up. Giving it this way can be the fastest and safest way to serve your dogs mangoes.
- Another fun thing I like to make is to take the sliced mangoes and put them in a blender to make a puree. My dogs love the smooth and easy-to-eat texture.
- During the late noon warm summer days, one of the tastiest treats I like to make for my dogs to beat the heat is a mango shake. By adding a small amount of ice and evaporated milk to the mango slices, you get a very fresh and fruity shake. This is a good and fun way to reduce heat, especially in the summer. Note that when giving dogs evaporated milk, do it in moderation since dogs are usually lactose intolerant.
- You can recycle the mango shake, if ever you have a leftover. You can also put it into a popsicle mold and let it freeze for about 5 – 8 hours and ta-da! You can now enjoy a sweet and cooling popsicle treat with your dogs.
