Is Mango Good for Dogs [SAFE]?
It is no big secret that mangos are probably one of the most delicious fruits out of the entire fruit kingdom. But does that mean that you can share some of that deliciousness with your best friend, your dog? In fact, there is more than likely a good chance that you have wondered this question while your dog was following you around the house as you ate a mango at some point or another. You know, when they are starring at you with those big, friendly, pleading eyes. Here is everything that you will ever need to know about whether or not you are able to share some of that delicious mango with your dog, essentially answering the age old questions of whether or not your dog can have mango, as well as any harmful consequences that may be attached to that mango if your dog is to eat it.
Can Your Dog Eat Mango?
To put it simply, yes, your dog can eat mango. But before you start hoarding mangos for your pup, you are going to want to know that it is only safe for them to eat the wonderful fruit in smaller quantitates and if it has been prepared the correct way. Since mangos are packed full of different minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, they can actually be very beneficial to your dog.
With that being said, if you are to allow your dog to ingest too much mango, it can cause them to have some serious upset stomach and there are actually some parts of the mango that are going to be very dangerous for them to eat. Because of this, you are going to want to serve your dog mango in very small quantities, but only after you have already removed the skin and the pit (seed). This will ensure that your dog will be able to enjoy the deliciousness of the mango as safely as possible.
Fun Facts About the Mango
Not many know about the origin story behind the mango, but it was originally found in India over 4,000 years ago. On top of that, it has even been used in Ayurveda medicine for the past 3,500 years, or since the Vedic ages. This is going to be because the mango has always been believed to have a very wide range of health benefits, as well as certain healing properties as well. As the mango grew in popularity over time, it got to the point that people started calling the mango, ‘The King of Fruits’.
Fast forward a few thousand years to modern day and you will more than likely have noticed that there are actually several different varieties of mango available to you. This is because the mango has made its way out of India and has since started to be grown in different countries all over the world.
So now that you know that the mango has been associated with health and prosperity for thousands of years, does that mean that mangos are also going to have the same benefit for you dog?
Dogs and Mangos
When it comes to your dog and their diet, ideally it only consists of mainly high-quality fats and proteins. Yes, you read that correctly. Only fats and proteins, your dog does not need carbohydrates to grow up healthy. In fact, if you do give your dog a diet that is high in carbohydrates or even sugar, it can have a very negative impact on their overall health. With that being said, the domesticated dog does have a digestive system that is able to handle some of the different vegetables and fruits that are available.
There have been some studies done on wolves that have shown that while they only have several different enzymes that can break down any starches that they may eat, the domesticated canine has been evolved to have many of these same enzymes. What this means is that your dog’s DNA is capable of handling some of the plant-based foods that they are going to eventually come across and eat. Knowing this, you may be wondering if it is ok for your dog to eat mangos?
There is no doubting that mango is one of the most delicious and nutritious fruits that you have more than likely been tempted to toss to your dog while you are sitting their eating it yourself. While a little bit of mango is going to be ok for them to eat, just keep in mind that if you end up giving your dog too much mango at one feeding or over a period of time, it can turn bad as mango is not naturally going to be part of your dog’s regular diet. As with every type of people food that you eat, while some of it may be safe for your dog to eat, there is also going to be some foods that can be toxic or just straight dangerous for your dog to eat.
So when it comes to answering the age old question of whether or not your dog is able to eat mango, the answer is going to be yes, mangos are one of the fruits that are safe for your dog to eat as long as it is given to them in moderation and has been prepared correctly.
What Exactly is in Mango?
Mangos are one of the proven fruits that can provide you with a number of different essential minerals and vitamins, some of which include phosphorus, calcium, potassium, folate, and vitamins K, C, B6, and A. While it is true that mangos contain a wide number of nutrients, they are also going to be very high in their sugar content. In fact, one single mango is going to contain around 45 grams of sugar, which in turn works out to be roughly 100 grams of sugar per each mango fruit. So, every mango that you eat or give to your dog is going to contain about 100 grams of sugar. Since mangos have so many nutrients and so much sugar, does that mean that mango is safe for your dog to eat?
Luckily for your dog, mango is going to be safe for them to eat, as long as it is only given to them in the appropriate quantities. Just be aware that while you may think that you are giving your dog some extra nutrients when you do feed them mango, they are actually going to get all of the nutrition that they require on a daily basis from the kibble or canned foods that they eat on a daily basis. So, if you are going to feed your dog mango, be sure that you are only doing so as an occasional treat as opposed to some type of regular addition to their daily nutritional routine.
Mangos, Are They Bad for Your Dog?
We now know that it is ok for your dog to eat mangos in general. However, just because it can be safe for them to eat the wonderful fruit does not mean that there are not going to be any instances when mango can be bad for your dog to eat.
As with anything, mango is going to need to be given to your dog in extreme moderation. As a guideline, about a tablespoon of mango given to your dog a few times per week should be absolutely fine for most dogs. Of course, you are going to want to adjust this guideline depending upon the size of your dog.
When you do give your dog too much mango, there is a very high chance that they will end up having some type of upset stomach and even diarrhea. This is because foods that are high in sugar are not going to be good for your dog to eat, very similar to how high sugar foods are not going to be good for you either.
Another drawback from feeding your dog too much sugar in their diet is going to be that it can lead to them becoming unhealthy and gaining extra weight. Once this happens, they are going to be at a much higher risk for contracting other health conditions, some of which are going to be diabetes, dental problems, and even heart disease. With this being said, it is going to be best if you keep your dog limited to just a few bites of delicious mangos, mainly being used as a special treat for your pup.
So, when it comes to mangos, the answer is going to be yes, your dog is able to eat them as long as it is given to them in moderation and not as part of their regular daily diet. If you are able to maintain these guidelines, then you should have no problem once you start giving your dog mangos. And for whatever reason you do notice that they are having an adverse reaction, be sure to contact your local veterinarian as quickly as you can.