You can enjoy this vitamin C packed fruit with your kids, but can your dog eat mangoes too?

This question is rather complicated because it has more than one answer. Experts have agreed that mangoes are safe for dogs; however, they do not recommend giving it to the pets. This article will throw more light on mango for dogs.

Mangoes contain beta-carotene, dietary fiber, antioxidants as well as potassium. Mangoes boost the immune system, reduce cholesterol levels, improve eyesight, improve digestive health and decreases inflammation. However, it must be taken in moderation to enjoy these benefits.

Should you allow your dogs to eat mangoes?

Even though mangoes are highly nutritious, are they safe for dogs? Veterinary experts believe that mangoes are not toxic but safe for consumption for dogs. However, they have too much sugar, and this makes it quite unsafe for dogs.

The U.S Department of Agriculture revealed that one mango has up to 46 grams of sugar. Fruit-based sugar is good when it is taken in moderation, but when it is taken in excess, it could cause other health problems in the long term such as diabetes.

This implies that you can give your dog mangoes, but the quantity must be checked.

Should you feed your dog mango pits?

Mangoes have three parts: the juicy fruits, the outer-skin, and the pit/seed. The flesh and skin are safe for consumption for dogs, but there is a lot of conflicting information on the toxicity of the pit to dogs. Some seeds and pits contain insignificant amounts of cyanide. Another research revealed that mangoes with large pits have toxic contents and can cause digestive blockages.

On the contrary, the ASPCA and Pet Poison Control did not list mangoes as toxic or poisonous in their list of toxic plants.

Another study, which was conducted in 2011 and recorded in the Journal of International Food Research, does not list mango pits as toxic or poisonous as well. In fact, the research revealed that there were lots of nutritional benefits in mango seeds. The results showed that a mango seed kernel is nutritious because it contains high levels of oil and carbohydrates. It also showed that the seed of a mango is rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium. There are also other antioxidant vitamins like Vitamin E, C, and A, which suggests that the seed can be a great source of vitamins.

However, it is important to note that this research was made for humans only and not for dogs, so there is no guarantee that the pit is not toxic to dogs.

Can dogs have mangoes?

In conclusion, your dog can have the mango flesh and skin, but the pit should not be given to the dog. This keeps the dog safe from the toxins the pit may have and also keeps the pet safe from any other danger that could arise from it. This could happen if the dog swallows the pit. Mango pits are large, and if they are swallowed, they could choke the dog. If the dog succeeds in swallowing the pit, it may reach the intestines or stomach and get stuck especially if it is too large to pass through the intestines or stomach. It may remain in the stomach and cause serious problems unless you seek medical intervention.

If you suspect your pet has swallowed a mango pit, observe the dog for any signs of obstruction by a foreign body. Some of these things to look out for have been highlighted by VCA Hospitals, and they include:

Diarrhea
Vomiting
Pain or abdominal tenderness
Anorexia or decreased appetite
Lethargy
Producing small amounts or straining to defecate.
Behavioral changes such as growling or biting when lifted from the ground or touched on the stomach.

If you choose to feed your pet mango fruit, ensure that it is peeled before serving it to the pet in moderation. Also, do not forget to give the pet without the pit.

Ensure that the dog does not eat anything other than the mango flesh. The peel is quite difficult to digest for dogs, so remove it entirely. Do not allow the pet to eat the leaves of the plant as well as the seeds or pit. The mango pit can cause digestive blockage and is a choking hazard. Seeds also contain cyanide that is toxic to dogs. Large dogs only need a quarter cup of mango, freshly peeled as a snack. It should be given to the dog periodically because consuming too much mango can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. The dietary fiber and sugar content are responsible for this.