Mangos are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are known to boost immunity and improve the health of your eyes, skin, and even digestive system. But can dogs eat mango or other human foods? That’s a question that may pop up, especially as the weather warms up and more foods are in season.
Fortunately, the health benefits of mangos are not reserved just for humans, as your dog can reap the benefits of mango, as well.
While dogs can have mangos as a healthy and tasty treat, some warnings go along with dogs eating mangos.
Can Dogs Eat Mango? The Benefits
Mangos have a ton of vitamins, including vitamin C, E, A, and B6. Also, mangos are full of fiber, which is fantastic for dogs.
Mangos, along with other fruits, help your dog’s immune system, help with their skin’s condition, reduce inflammation, and positively impact digestion.
Therefore, it makes sense to add mango to your dog’s diet as a tasty treat.
Dogs Eating Mango: What Could Go Wrong?
Not all parts of the mango are suitable for dogs.
For instance, while the skin is technically edible, it is challenging for a dog to digest. Therefore, peel the mango before you give it to your dog.
Also, do not give the mango pit to your dog because the pits contain a toxin called cyanide. Plus, a dog can choke on the pit.
As with any treat, remember that moderation is vital. Your dog should have various treats and food available, so mangos are a part of a well-rounded diet.
Ideally, snacks should not be more than approximately 10 percent of your dog’s total calories for the day.
Also, for the same reasons we wash fruit before eating, you should do the same for your dog.
How to Give a Dog a Mango
First, peel the mango and throw the pit away.
If you have a larger dog, you can leave the mango in larger chucks. However, little dogs need the mango cut smaller. Also, remember that mangos are easy to freeze and are a tasty summer treat for your dog.
Consider taking some fresh mango and running it through the blender with some water or coconut water.
Next, pour into silicone molds for a tasty summer doggy treat.
You might consider making chicken, and mango dog treats for your dog at home or trying some already made mango dog treats.
Burning Questions Answered
Since dogs are opportunists by nature, we know that dogs tend to eat whatever falls onto the floor. Therefore, it is good to know what other human food items to avoid allowing dogs to get into, so we address other frequently asked questions about what dogs can eat below.
What can dogs not eat?
There are some severe consequences if dogs eat some foods.
For instance, dogs should avoid chocolate because the theobromine found in chocolate causes significant stomach problems, seizures, and abnormal heartbeats.
Raisins and grapes are also on the do-not-eat list because of the threat of kidney failure. In addition, raw foods such as eggs and fish are not suitable for dogs, and neither is raw yeast dough.
Do not give your dog the seeds or pits from fruit or any moldy foods. Also, avoid letting your dog have alcohol, cocoa, and coffee.
Lastly, artificial sweeteners such as xylitol are terrible for dogs. You have to read the labels and look for snacks or even peanut butter with this ingredient. Xylitol is known to cause liver failure and problems with blood clotting in dogs.
What fruits can dogs eat?
The amount of fruit your dog can eat might come as a surprise.
For instance, apples are a fantastic source of vitamins for dogs, just like humans. Ensure you remove the apples’ flesh from the core, as the seeds and core are not suitable for dogs.
The occasional banana is fantastic for your dog, as well. Although, think of bananas as a rare treat for your dog. However, if your dog struggles with vomiting or diarrhea, bananas are great to help settle your dog’s stomach.
Cantaloupe is a great dog treat. It has lots of fiber and water content, as well. Be careful, though; just like bananas, cantaloupe is only a treat.
Other fruits to consider for a dog treat are watermelon, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and pears.
However, remember to avoid grapes and raisins because they are alarmingly toxic for dogs, no matter their breed.
What vegetables can dogs eat?
If you wonder, “Can dogs eat mango?” it might come as a surprise that dogs can eat vegetables, as well.
Cucumbers, for example, are great for dogs because they lack the carbs and fats that dogs should avoid. Plus, cucumbers have minerals and vitamins that dogs need.
Broccoli is another healthy treat, but you must be careful. Broccoli has something called isothiocyanates, which can cause stomach upset in dogs. Therefore, feed your dog broccoli sparingly.
Carrots are an excellent doggie snack, as well. Not only do carrots have lots of vitamins, but they are also crunchy and help clean your dog’s teeth. If you are giving your dog carrots, consider adding some celery to the mix, as well, as the two veggies have similar benefits.
You can consider giving your dog Brussels sprouts but watch out for the gas that is likely to follow. We all know the challenges of dog farts.
Green beans are another contender for a great dog snack, but if you are using canned beans, get the no-salt versions.
Veggies to avoid
Your dog should not eat mushrooms because many mushrooms are toxic to dogs, especially wild ones. At the same time, not all mushrooms will lead to problems, the ones that do cause issues that result in significant health complications.
Spinach is another to consider avoiding because while it is not bad for your dog, spinach can block your dog’s ability to absorb calcium. However, it would take a lot of spinach to cause this. Therefore, feed them spinach with caution or skip it.
Lastly, while corn is alright for your dog to consume, do not give your dog corn on the cob. The cob itself can cause intestinal blockage.
What nuts can dogs eat?
Nuts are another great option to add variety to your dog’s diet. However, be careful because the calories add up quickly as nuts are very calorie-dense.
Your dog can have peanuts as long as they are plain and without salt, candy coating, or any other type of toppings. Also, chestnuts are alright for your dog, as well.
However, avoid the other nuts, including almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, and even pistachios.
Macadamia nuts are great in cookies, but because they contain a toxin that damages a dog’s nervous system, avoid giving them to your dog.
But use caution with nuts because many of them can have mold issues that could damage a dog’s liver. And many nuts are known to create intestinal blockages.
Why can’t dogs eat onions?
Dogs cannot eat onions because they can cause the red blood cells to rupture, leading to anemia. It only takes an ounce of onions to impact your dog negatively.
Essentially, the toxin gets into the red blood cells and stick with the oxygen molecules. This, in turn, makes it challenging for the red blood cells to move oxygen around the dog’s body. Therefore, the dog’s body thinks the red blood cell is bad news and destroys it.
Also, all parts of the onion are an issue, as are powdered forms of onion. Therefore, be wary of processed or cooked foods that might contain onion powdered, as those can prove problematic, as well.
Since you are omitting onions, skip out on giving your dog garlic, as well.
What bones can dogs eat?
Dogs and bones seem to go together, and chewing is a natural dog habit. Bones keep your dog mentally engaged, and the chewing helps clean their teeth.
However, there are some considerations before you toss your dog a bone.
Shards of bones can cause problems such as broken teeth, lacerations of the mouth, stomach upset, and even blockages in the intestines.
If you notice your dog has diarrhea, look at the bones your dog is chewing on because marrow can trigger diarrhea. You can spoon out the marrow and still give the bone to your dog.
If you wish to give your dog a bone, be sure the bone is raw rather than cooked. Raw bones are full of nutrients, but cooked bones splinter and cause issues when lodged inside the body.
Generally, larger and meaty bones are safe for dogs. However, monitor dogs when chewing on a bone to watch for splintering.
Why can’t dogs eat pork?
The real problem is not so much pork, but any undercooked or raw pork is unsafe. Pork is known to carry a parasite that causes infections that can impact dogs.
If your dog eats undercooked pork and develops an infection, there are symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. Or they could display other symptoms of an upset tummy.
Also, your dog may act as though their muscles hurt and walk around as though they are stiff. Otherwise, you can look for signs of excessive tiredness or even a fever.
If you give your dog pork, make sure to cook it all the way through. That said, avoid raw pork bones for dogs for the same reasons.
Why can’t dogs eat avocado?
Avocados are great on toast, but you do not want to give avocado to your dogs. Avocados have what is called persin, which is a toxin that can lead to death.
Also, persin is in all the different parts of avocado, from the skin to the pit. Plus, because avocados are so full of fat, they are a poor choice for a dog’s diet.
Can Dogs Eat Mango? Time to Dish Up
Since the question “Can dogs eat mango?” is cleared up, be sure to follow the basic rules when dishing up this tasty snack for your dog.
Peel the mango before giving it to your dog. Also, remove the mango pit and throw it away before cubing your mango. You can leave the chunks larger if you have a bigger dog, but small dogs should have smaller chunks.
Also, there are several recipes for DIY dog treats that involve mangos, or you can buy some mango dog treats already made.
And while you diversify your dog’s diet, consider adding some other human foods to the list. However, use caution, as some foods are not good for your dogs at all.
When in doubt, as your vet.
What mango-inspired dog treat did you give your dog?