Can Dogs Eat Mango?

Can Dogs Eat Mango Safely? Are The Skin Or Flesh Edible For Them? What About Dried Mango?

Let’s Take A Look At Feeding Your Dog Mango – And Whether It’s A Good Idea.

There is a fairly lively debate over whether or not fresh fruits and vegetables should be included in our dogs’ diet.

And the answer just may lie in the DNA.

A thorough, recent analysis of canine DNA has revealed that dogs have genes for specific types of enzymes.

These are ones that break down starch and sugar.

And these things are found in plant-based foods, not meat.

Can Dogs Eat Fruit?

Only a few starch enzyme genes are found in wolves, while domesticated canines have as many as 30 pairs.

So, if your dog’s DNA says to bring on the plant-based foods, you may start to ask yourself, can my dog eat mango?

Does the ability to eat some vegetables or fruits mean that it’s a good idea.

Or have they just adapted a little based upon their time around humans, but not fundamentally changed

Mango is a delicious fruit that you may be tempted to throw to your pooch.

But feeding dogs too much of something that is not designed to be the main part of their diet can be a bad idea.

Keep reading to learn if this is fine or if you are looking at a whole lot of unpleasant repercussions in your future.

Can Dogs Eat Mango?

Mangos are the most popular fruit in many countries.

You may not live in Mexico or Peru where the golden-toned fruit sits right on the tropical trees in your yard. However, your local grocery store likely has sweet fruit in stock most of the year.

If you love the vitamin A, C, B6, and potassium in the fruit, then it is easy to see why you would want to pass the nutrient rich treat to your canine.

The good news is that mango is safe for your pup.

Although any of the beneficial vitamins it contains will already be present in your dog’s daily kibble or canned food.

So, you do not have to worry about it making your dog ill in small occasional quantities.

But only if you feed the flesh of the fruit.

Is Mango Bad For Dogs?

So, are mangoes bad for dogs?

Like anything, it needs to be given in moderation.

A table spoon of mango a couple of times a week should be fine for most adult dogs.

But there are other considerations when we look at fruits.

Can Dogs Eat Mango Pits?

The fruit of the mango will not make your dog sick, but the pit absolutely will.

This part of the fruit should never be given to your pup.

You may have heard that certain fruit seeds and pits contain cyanide. This is true, and both humans and pets can become ill from eating them.

In fact, cyanide poisoning is a serious concern in animals.

There are a wide variety of ways that your dog can become exposed to cyanide. When it comes to acute poisoning issues, fruit pits and seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers are a concern.

While compounds inside a mango pit convert into hydrogen cyanide once ingested, the cyanide level is fairly low, especially when compared to other fruit seeds and pits.

Cherry and peach pits are a much greater risk to your canine. However, since seeds and pits almost always contain amygdalin, the compound that breaks down into the harmful gas, it is best to avoid them altogether when it comes to your dog and his diet.

My Dog Ate A Mango Pit!

If you are reading this because your dog has already eaten a mango pit, you need to call your local vet.

Not only can the pit make your canine sick, but it can become trapped in the intestinal tract.

This sort of blockage can be fatal, especially in cases of surgical complication during removal.

If you think that your dog has eaten a mango pit (or any kind of fruit seed or pit), then visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.

If acute cyanide toxicity is a concern, then research shows that your dog can be treated successfully with something called hydroxocobalamin. But the medicine does need to be administered intravenously.

Intestinal blockages need to be evaluated and possibly treated as well.

Can Dogs Eat Mango Skin?

Since dogs should not eat the mango pit, you may be curious, can dogs eat mango fruit skin?

Well, the skin is not poisonous like the pit.

However, it is best to peel the fruit before giving it to your dog.

Mango skin is rough and made out of indigestible plant cellulose. This cellulose is fibrous roughage that passes through the digestive system.

While this may help to clean out your dog’s intestinal tract, most canines do not chew their food as well as they should.

This can result in large pieces of mango peel blocking up the intestines.

If you really want to add fiber to your dog’s diet, then sprinkle a bit of oat bran on your dog’s food instead of feeding him fruit peels.

Is Mango Good For Dogs?

So, the fruit is ok to feed your pup, but are mangoes good for dogs?

Yes, they are, as long as you are providing the fruit in moderation.

Moderation is key because the vitamin C and the fructose in the mango can give your dog diarrhea.

Moderation means one or two slices a few times a week. If you stick to this amount, then your dog can benefit in many ways.

A moderate amount of vitamin A can help to encourage your dog’s bone, vision, and immune health, especially in growing pups.

The vitamin C in the fruit is also essential to good health. Vitamin C is vital when it comes to reducing tissue damage caused by oxidants. Oxidative damage can lead to cancerous tumors and the decline in general brain function.

An increase in vitamin C has been shown to treat canine ailments such as ringworm, arthritis, and liver disease too.

When it comes to liver disease, the vitamin is especially helpful in preventing further organ damage.

This is one reason why diet changes, including the supplementation of antioxidants, is suggested when liver enzymes are elevated.

The vitamin B6 found in the fruit is beneficial to your dog as well. This nutrient is often found in dog food, but the vitamin can degrade quickly when placed in commercial foods.

If your dog becomes deficient in vitamin B6, then anemia can develop.

Mangos can greatly reduce this risk and the slow body growth, lethargy, and decreased appetite that are common symptoms of the ailment.

Mangos also provide your dog with the potassium and vitamin E he needs.

So, basically, dogs and mango potentially make a good combination. But only in small doses.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Mango?

If you have a food dehydrator at home or if you simply love to munch on dried fruit, then you may be tempted to throw a piece or two of dried mango in your dog’s direction.

Dried fruit is essentially just a piece of fruit with the water removed. So your dog can eat a dried mango, just like he can eat a piece of the fresh fruit. While this is true, there are a few things to consider.

If you purchase a bag of dried fruit from your local grocery store, then sugar is likely added to it.

Too much sugar is not good for your dog, and you may see some of the same issues as you would if you ate too many sweet treats.

Namely, diabetes, obesity, and even dental decay are sugar-laden concerns.

If you make your own dried mango, then keep in mind that removing the water from the fruit and shrinking it down can make it easy for you to feed your dog too much of the treat.

Cut the mango into slices before dehydrating it and stick to the one or two piece rule.

While the fruit is good for your dog, you can increase the calories in your canine’s diet substantially if you feed him even a handful of the dried fruit.

So, basically, some dogs eat mango dried and gain a great deal of weight.

Can Dogs Have Mango?

Dogs can certainly eat mango as a snack or a special treat. But you should always speak to your veterinarian before giving your dog any new type of food.

Like other food items, there is a chance that your canine companion may be allergic or intolerant, so start with just a bite and look out for signs of indigestion.

Since fresh mango for dogs is best, you can smash the fruit into his kibble. Or you can add a bit to your favorite dog biscuit recipe.

Mango is also a great addition to frozen yogurt, peanut butter, or vegetable goodies.

Does your puppy pal love mango, or do you have an awesome fruit filled recipes to share? Let us know in the comments below.

References

• Erik Axelsson, Abhirami Ratnakumar, Maja-Louise Arendt, Khurram Maqbool, Matthew T. Webster, Michele Perloski, Olof Liberg, Jon M. Arnemo, Åke Hedhammar & Kerstin Lindblad-Toh. The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet. Nature 495, 360–364 (21 March 2013)
• Hayes G. Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 208 cases. J Small Anim Pract. 2009 Nov;50(11):576-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00783.x. Epub 2009 Oct 8.
• Penelope J. Morris , Carina Salt, Jens Raila, Thomas Brenten, Barbara Kohn, Florian J. Schweigert, and Jürgen Zentek. Safety evaluation of vitamin A in growing dogs. Br J Nutr. 2012 Nov 28; 108(10): 1800–1809.
  Published online 2012 Mar 1.
• Borron SW, Stonerook M, Reid F. Efficacy of hydroxocobalamin for the treatment of acute cyanide poisoning in adult beagle dogs. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2006;44 Suppl 1:5-15.
• DSM