Animals, obviously, cannot differentiate between what is okay for them to eat and what is not, so it is left to us human owners to take care of their diet. Every animal has some sort of food that they cannot eat without getting sick, and it is these foods that we must avoid at all costs.
The most common and popular choice for a pet is a dog, mostly taken in for its friendliness and loyalty. Many dog owners are concerned about the eating habits of their dogs. One question that is often raised is, can dogs eat mango?
We will attempt to answer this question as well as try to understand the benefits and the side effects of including mangoes in the diet of dogs.
What part or kind of mangoes can a dog eat?
There are variations in the way one can give their dog a mango. Here we will be discussing three of these – mango fruit, dried mango and mango skin.
Mango fruit
Dogs can eat mangoes, and eating it is actually good for the dog’s immune system since mangoes strengthen it. Mangoes also contain a number of vitamins such as C, A, B6, and K as well as nutrients like protein, dietary fiber, potassium, and magnesium.
However, despite the many benefits that mangoes offer, dog owners are advised to feed mangoes in moderation. This means that you can feed your dog one or two mangoes a day at most.
Dried mango
When we ask the question, ‘can dogs eat mango?’, we are considering dried mangoes too. Dried mangoes can be fed to your dog, but you are advised not to do so since it has a large amount of sugar and carbohydrates in it. When the sugar has been removed from a mango, making a dried mango, it becomes easier for your dog to consume more of it, which is not a preferable option.
Mango skin
Mango skins are also edible for dogs but, like dried mangoes, are not a preferable choice. The skins contain a substance called urushiol that can cause an irritably itchy rash to develop on your dog’s body. Urushiol is also present in poison ivy which explains why it causes itchiness.
Dogs are also more susceptible to urushiol effects and would only be in pain if they were to ingest it. To be on the safe side, you should avoid feeding your dog mango skins.
Benefits of feeding your dog mangoes
If you give mangoes to your dog to eat in moderate amounts, then you can rest assured that your dog will stand to gain a number of benefits from it.
1. Better immune system
The substances present in mangoes strengthen our immune system against deadly diseases, such as cancer. Mangoes contain a number of compounds that fight against cancer. Some of these compounds have been known to kill cancer cells in the breast. These anti-inflammatory compounds include polyphenols, alpha-carotene, and beta carotene.
Therefore, if you want your dog to live a healthier life with a strong immune system, you should feed it mangoes, which contain a large number of anti-oxidants.
2. Healthier heart
Mangoes have a very high dietary fiber content which is good for the muscles. This fiber content is specifically good for strengthening your dog’s heart muscles, thus ensuring that your dog lives a long, healthy life without any heart complications. Fiber also helps control cholesterol levels and blood pressure, which saves your dogs from fatal diseases such as diabetes or happenings like strokes.
3. Improved brain functioning
Mangoes consist of a nutrient called vitamin B6. What you need to know about this vitamin is that it improves your dog’s brain function exponentially. Dogs that are fed mangoes are known to have not only increased concentration but also a very good memory.
Side effects
Mangoes have their benefits, but if fed in excess, they can backfire on your dog’s health.
1. Diarrhea
As mentioned before, mangoes have a high fiber content, which can turn out to be a bad thing for your dog if you feed it mangoes in excess. High intake of fiber is said to result in conditions like diarrhea and loose stool, which is definitely a messy experience for you and a painful one for your dog. Hence, it is best to keep an eye on your dog’s stool when you feed it mangoes.
2. Cyanide poisoning
It is best to take the seed out before feeding your dog mangoes. Mango seeds have a high cyanide content which, although harmless in a small quantity, can cause complications if taken in excess. Additionally, the seed can remain stuck in your dog’s body and cause changes in its behavior such as loss of appetite and thirst. You need to be vigilant about your dog’s behavior or else it can prove to be fatal.
Final Words
To summarize all that has been said, we can say with certainty that dogs can eat mangoes. You must, however, keep in mind the side effects that dogs may suffer from if you make mangoes a regular part of their diet. They may suffer from diarrhea, which may be painful and cost you a visit to the vet.
One precaution that has been stressed again and again is that the seed should be removed from the mango before giving it to your dog to eat, lest your dog chokes on it. With all that said, you can give your dog a mango, but make sure you give it in moderation.
