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Mangoes are ranked among the world’s most popular fruits. In certain parts of the world, the mango is described as the ‘king of fruits.’ That’s largely due to its deliciously sweet taste and dense nutritional value.
Mangoes are also relatively easier to incorporate into your diet than many fruits. You can add the fruit to your breakfast, consume it as part of your mid-morning snack, or use it to make smoothies and mango juice.
Interestingly, mangoes have also found their way into pet foods. It’s no longer uncommon to find a dog owner happily sharing a slice or two of the mango fruit with their pooch.
But are mangoes okay for dogs and if yes, how should it be served?
This article will shed more light on that.
More About Mangoes
Mangoes are edible stone fruits that grow on a tree of the same name.
The mango tree, scientifically known as Mangifera indica, traces its origin in South and Southeast Asia. The tree is particularly widespread in the region between northeastern India, Bangladesh, and northwestern Myanmar.
Mangoes are so popular in Asia that some countries have since adopted the fruit and tree as their national symbols. India, Pakistan, and the Philippines have the mango fruit as their national fruit while Bangladesh consider the Mangifera indica tree as its national tree.
There are two mango cultivars, depending on the specific countries the tree grows indigenously. They include the ‘Indian type’ mango that’s generally widespread in India and the ‘Southeast Asian type’ mango that thrives in Southeast Asia.
In addition to the common mango fruit that comes from the Mangifera indica tree, the term ‘mango’ also applies to the fruit of various other species in the ‘Mangifera’ genus. Most of these species are widespread in the Malesian ecoregion.
Can Dogs Eat Mangoes?
Yes, dogs can certainly eat mangoes.
Mangoes aren’t considered toxic to dogs. That’s mainly because the fruits do not contain any chemicals that could cause emergency trips to the vet if swallowed. Besides, mangoes are chockfull of nutrients that dogs usually require in their diets. These nutrients come in the form of vitamins, minerals, and even antioxidants.
But while mangoes are generally non-toxic to dogs, the fruit is only safe if moderately fed. Consuming too much mango could trigger various adverse effects, including vomiting and diarrhea. Besides, mangoes are incredibly high in sugars, a nutrient that’s unessential to a dog’s diet.
How Might Dogs Benefit From Mangoes?
Mangoes contain numerous nutrients considered useful for dogs. The benefits of sharing mangoes with your pooch depend on the most abundant nutrients in the fruit, as explained below;
1. Water
Water is the most abundant mineral in mangoes, making up a whopping 84% of raw mango mass.
Water acts as the primary medium in all physiological processes taking place in your dog’s body, including food metabolism, blood circulation, cellular functions, etc.
The high water content in mangoes may also help promote hydration in dogs. Besides, water works alongside fiber and protein to increase the feelings of fullness after meals, which may consequently help with weight loss.
2. Fiber
Mangoes contain moderate amounts of fiber, approximately 2.6 grams in a 165-gram serving.
Fiber is involved in healthy digestion. The nutrient promotes digestion in various ways. First, it bulks up stool, thereby increasing the efficiency of bowel movements.
Fiber also nourishes the gut microbiome, a process that may protect your dog from chronic digestive and metabolic diseases.
And as we’ve just hinted, fiber may work synergistically with water and protein to make your dog feel fuller for longer. This could have inhibitory effects on appetite and hunger, ultimately preventing unhealthy weight gain.
3. Antioxidants
Mangoes are chockfull of antioxidants, compounds noted for their ability to guard against chronic diseases.
The fruit is loaded with vitamin A as well as lutein and zeaxanthins. These compounds can help support your dog’s vision.
Mangoes are also high in vitamin C. The vitamin may improve the radiance of your dog’s skin and far. Besides, research indicates that a combination of vitamin C and carotenoids might help reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes.
There’s a long list of other antioxidants in mangoes that can help guard against various diseases like cancer and heart disease. Examples of these antioxidants include mangiferin, anthocyanins, catechins, gallic acid, benzoic acid, rhamnetin, and kaempferol.
How Might Mangoes Hurt Dogs?
Mangoes are reasonably high in carbohydrates. A 100-gram serving of raw mangoes provides as many as 15 grams of carbs.
Carbohydrates (particularly sugars) are considered nutritionally useless for dogs as they do not constitute the primary nutrients dogs require in their diet. High-carb diets can also lead to blood sugar spikes, opening up your dog for chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Mangoes also contain small amounts of cyanide, a chemical that could cause severe allergic reactions and long-term medical complications in dogs. Cyanides are more concentrated in the mango pit.
Besides the risks of cyanide poisoning, the mango stone may choke your dog. And if swallowed, the pit could cause intestinal blockage. Choking hazards could also come from mango skin.
Last but not least, dogs shouldn’t eat mango leaves, stem, sap, and skin. These parts contain mango oils, which are laden with chemicals that might cause dermatitis and anaphylaxis in some dogs.
What’s The Best Way to Serve Mangoes to Dogs?
Follow the below procedure to safely share mangoes with your canine friend;
i. Go for fresh, ripe mangoes.
ii. Rinse the fruit in clean water.
iii. Wash your hands.
iv. Peel the mango to remove the skin.
v. Remove the pit too.
vi. Slice the mango flesh into bite-sized portions.
vii. Share the fleshy parts with your dog in moderation.
Conclusion
Mangoes are some of the healthiest fruits you can share with your dog. The fruit isn’t immediately toxic to dogs. Besides, it can provide your pooch with a truckload of nutrients.
However, excess consumption of mangoes may prove more dangerous than beneficial to dogs. So, it’s important to follow the above-mentioned safety guidelines when feeding mangoes to your pooch.