Can Dogs Eat Mangoes? Side Effects, Health Benefits & Tips

Every now and then, enjoying a sweet and succulent mango is refreshing and quite satisfying. After all, who does not like a fresh mango? This popular fruit originated from Southeast Asia, but is now enjoyed by people from all over the world with over 50 types of mangoes.

These healthy fruits are enjoyed by dog owners all the time, all over the world. But the question always come up – can dogs eat mango as well?

Yes, Dogs Can Safely Eat Mango.

Dog owners rejoice! But keep in mind, mangoes are only okay in moderation. Mangoes can provide your dog with a ton of vitamins and minerals, as they are credited as one of the healthiest fruits in the world.

They are perfect the fruit snack for dogs that may be lacking in Vitamin C, Vitamin A or Vitamin B6. Mangoes can also provide a big boost in your dog’s immune system to help combat potential illnesses.

But despite all these great health benefits from eating mangoes, there are certain side effects and things to consider before feeding them to your dog. Let’s investigate these tasty fruits.

Mango Health Benefits For Dogs

There’s a reason why mangos are known as one of the healthiest fruits in the world. Fortunately, both you and your canine can benefit from this healthy fruit that happens to be quite delicious as well. To fully understand how mangoes can help a dog, let’s examine the nutrients of one.

Here’s the nutritional breakdown of a single mango (332 grams):

• Calories – 201
• Dietary Fiber – 5 grams
• Potassium – 564 mg
• Protein – 2.8 grams
• C Vitamin – 203% DV
• A Vitamin – 72% DV
• B6 Vitamin – 20% DV
• K Vitamin – 16% DV
• Magnesium – 8% DV

Mangos Are Loaded With Vitamins

I know what you may be thinking, but no, that Vitamin C daily value percentage is not a typo. In a single mango, you get over twice your recommended daily value! Although dogs can produce Vitamin C naturally, an older dog may not be as efficient at producing this essential vitamin, which makes the occasional mango perfect for them.

On top of the unreal amount of Vitamin C, mangoes actually contain over 20 different vitamins and minerals. That’s a pretty damn good argument for classifying mangos as a superfood (or rather super dog food).

The amount of antioxidants in mangos will give every dog, young or old, a great boost in combating and preventing degenerative diseases and forms of cancer. I would say mangoes are on par with pineapples in terms of dog health benefits.

Dog’s Eyesight May Improve From Mangoes

Looking at the nutritional values of mangoes, you may notice that Vitamin A sticks out as well. A single mango contains a whopping 72% of our daily value of Vitamin A. But what exactly does this vitamin mean for your canine?

Consuming a large amount of Vitamin A promotes strong eyesight in your dog, which may be beneficial to declining eyesight as they age. It also helps with dry eyes and Nyctalopia (also known as “night blindness”).

Note: Other fruits or vegetables that can improve a dog’s vision include, cherries, carrots, tomatoes and cantaloupes.

Treating or Preventing Diabetes in Dogs

If your dog currently suffers from diabetes or you want to have a preventable measure for the disease, a healthy dose of mangoes can help. It may seem odd, as mangoes have such a large amount of sugar in them. However, these special fruits can help normalize the levels of insulin in a body.

The key is to feed them in moderation because mangoes have a low glycemic index, meaning that small servings won’t likely spike the dog’s sugar levels. Always consult with your veterinarian first before using mangoes as a supplement treatment for diabetes. This method may or may not work depending on the specific case of your dog’s diabetes condition.

Mangoes Improve Your Dog’s Immune System

With all the rich nutrients and antioxidants, mangoes are known to improve the immune system in both humans and dogs. The surplus of Vitamin C provides your dog with the necessary elements for a healthy immune system. Don’t worry if you think your dog is getting too much C. Because Vitamin C is soluble, any excess vitamin will just get urinated out of the dog’s system.

Add in the healthy amount of carotenoids and flavonoids and you’re looking at providing your dog with a strong and healthy immune system. Slice up a few mangoes and start battling those nasty dog illnesses or diseases.

Other fruits and vegetables that are high in Vitamin C include: pears, cantaloupes, strawberries, oranges, kiwi, broccoli and tomatoes.

Side Effects & Risks

Before you start feeding these so-called superfruits to your dog, there are some side effects that owners need to be aware of. Although mangoes are generally safe for dogs to consume, the side effects may vary in degree. Always be on a lookout for these side effects after mango consumption.

Diarrhea in Dogs

It’s no secret that mangoes contain a high amount of fiber. This fiber can be a good thing for a little constipation, but too much of it will most likely lead to loose stool or diarrhea. This goes back to the moderation being key i’ve been stressing throughout this article.

There’s really no reason your dog needs to consume enough mangoes. There is a certain point where the benefits aren’t worth the adverse side effects, such as diarrhea.

Whenever you feed your dog any human foods (including mangoes), it’s important to observe their stool immediately after. If there is no drastic stool changes in the next 24 hours, it usually means that the food is okay for the dog.

Cyanide Poisoning From Mango Pit

Can dogs eat mango seed or pit? Definitely not. Similar to apples and cantaloupes, mangoes contain seeds that have a high concentration of cyanide. And although a little bit of cyanide won’t likely harm your dog much, the build up of cyanide in a dog’s system can lead to more serious health problems and side effects.

The easiest way to prevent this problem is to always take out the mango seeds before giving them to your dog to eat. It literally takes a minute or two and can save you and your dog a lot of trouble.

Mango Seed Stuck in a Dog’s System

Another good reason you should remove all mango seeds is the chance that the seed can get stuck in your dog’s body and cause serious health problems. If your dog starts to cough after consuming mangoes with their seeds in tact, it is likely that the seed is stuck in the esophagus.

A dog that’s feeling lethargic and displaying unusual behavioral changes could possibly mean the seed is stuck in their intestine. Unusual behaviors include a change in stool habits, appetite or thirst that isn’t normal.

Consult with your veterinarian right away if you suspect any of these problems. The longer you wait, the higher chance this could develop into something more serious. The easiest way to prevent any of this is to just take out the seeds. Better safe than sorry.

Can Dogs Eat Mango Skin?

While mango skin can be digestible and harmless to some dogs, it may not be worth the risk. Mango skin has been known to cause an allergic reaction in both dogs and humans. The culprit responsible for the allergic reactions is Urushiol.

Urushiol is the same compound that can be found in poison oak or poison ivy. It can potentially cause a similar (but usually more mild) skin rash and/or itch in ingested by your dog. It’s also believed that dogs are more sensitive to Urushiol too.

If your dog accidentally ate mango skin, observe to see if they are display behaviors or excessive scratching. If they are, you can give them a dosage of Benadryl. Just consult with your local vet and make sure you give them the proper dosage.

How Can Dogs Eat Mango?

Mango Preparation For Dogs

The first step in preparing mangoes for your dog is to wash the mango thoroughly to prevent any pesticide and/or harmful bacteria to get on your hands and consequently into your dog’s system. A dog’s stomach can handle bacteria pretty well. But pesticide can cause some serious damage to your dog, such as seizures.

Dogs cannot eat the mango skin. Always remove the skin from the mango, as they are toxic for your dog to eat. Dogs may have a higher sensitivity to urushiol, which is the active chemical found in both poison oak and poison ivy. If they consume this, observe them very carefully for excessive scratching. There is a chance they may have an allergic reaction.

Remove the seeds from the mango, as we mentioned that they contain cyanide, which can be poisonous to dogs if they consume a lot in their systems. Almost all fruit seeds contain cyanide. So whether you’re preparing oranges, avocados, apples or cherries, always remove the seed before feeding your dog.

Cut the mango into smaller pieces for the canine to consume. If chunks of mangoes are too large, it could potentially cause some blockage in their intestinal tract. Some dogs don’t like to chew very much, so this could be a serious problem. The smaller the dog, the smaller the slices. Even for large dogs, it may be smarter to cut up the mango.

Monitoring Your Dog

Start off with one or two slices of mango if this is your dog’s first time. Observe them carefully over the next day, along with any behavioral or stool changes. This could mean a lack of energy, loose stool, or even too much energy.

You know your dog best. If everything seems fine, then they are good to go! Feel free to increase their mango servings over time. But remember, always in moderation.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Mango?

Although it can be safe for a dog to consume dried mangoes, they are certainly not recommended for your dogs to eat. A dried mango doesn’t lose as much nutrients as you may expect, meaning your dog can still benefit from the health perspective.

However, the problem with dried mangoes is that they contain a heavy concentration of sugar, calories and carbohydrates. By sucking out the water from a raw mango, it is also easier to overeat, thus consuming more sugar, calories and carbs than you normally would.

This is a common mistake that dog owners make when feeding their dogs dried mangoes. I would stick to the original, raw form.

Mango Chicken Dog Biscuit Recipe

Found out that your dog loves mangoes? This recipe is perfect for them! Enjoy both the savory taste of chicken and the health benefits of mangoes with this recipe courtesy of Doggy Dessert Chef.

Note: If this is your dog’s first time eating mangoes, give them a sample first and check for allergic reactions or adverse side effects.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cooked & chopped chicken breast
• 1 Cup of mangoes (chopped)
• ½ Tspn of cinnamon
• ½ Cup of oats
• ¾ Cup of whole wheat flour

Cooking directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
2. Prepare a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
3. Put all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
4. Roll the flour ¼ inch thick onto a floured surface.
5. Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut out the shape of the treat.
6. Place these biscuits on a sprayed baking sheet and bake for 10 – 15 minutes or until golden.
7. Let them cool off in the refrigerator.
8. Enjoy!

The Smart Canine has done extensive research regarding the consumption of mangoes by dogs. However, treat this guide as an informative guide and not as professional advice. We cannot claim that your dog will receive certain health benefits or side effects if they eat mangoes. Every dog is different and may react differently to eating mangoes.  If you have any issues or concerns, please consult with your veterinarian.