Can Dogs Eat Mango?

Have you ever wondered, “Can dogs eat mango?” The answer is yes, they can. This fruit is full of vitamins and safe for your pup to consume, as long as it’s peeled and the pit is removed. It’s important to note that you should only give your canine companion mango in moderation.

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Is Mango Good for Dogs?

Mangoes are safe and healthy for most dogs, as long as they don’t have diabetes. Just like many other dog-safe fruits, they have many nutrients. They are high in fiber and contain both alpha-carotene and beta-carotene as well as these vitamins and minerals:

Vitamin A
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Potassium

Although your dog can benefit from these nutrients, it should only eat mango in moderation.

How many mangoes Can You Feed a Dog?

Like any human food, mango is a treat and should be given to your dog in moderation. The exact amount varies depending on your dog’s age, diet, health, etc., but there are some general guidelines as follows:

One piece of mango = 1-inch wide by ¼-inch thick
Extra-small dog – less than 10kg – One piece of mango
Small dog – 10 – 14 kg – Two to three pieces of mango
Medium dog – 15 – 19 kg – Four to five pieces of mango
Large dog – 20 kg + – A handful of mango pieces

How to Feed Mangos to Dogs

You should always consult with your vet before serving mangos to determine the right portion size for your dog. Even a healthy treat like mangos should be factored into your dog’s optimum daily balanced diet.

Begin with a small amount to make sure your dog does not have an allergic reaction.

Peel the skin which contains urushiol a chemical related to poison ivy and poison oak and, if ingested, can cause dogs to experience vomiting, diarrhea, and skin issues.

Remove the pit which can be a choking hazard or become stuck in your dog’s digestive tract, which can lead to a serious and potentially fatal complication if left untreated.

Symptoms of an intestinal obstruction include vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy, and/or constipation. If you see any of these signs or think your dog has eaten a mango pit, consult a veterinarian immediately.

Only feed your dog fresh, not dried mango which is typically high in sugar and calories. Unsugared dried mango has fewer nutrients than fresh mango.

Here are a few fun ways to feed mangos to your dog:

Cut into chunks (about 1″ cubes for larger dogs, half that size for smaller dogs) and feed as a sweet treat or training treat
Freeze mango chunks and offer them up on a hot summer day
Add to a dog-safe smoothie bowl (recipe here) for extra hydration
Sprinkle a few pieces as a topper on regular dog food
Blend into a pooch-safe “Mutt Mocktail”

Can My Dog Eat the Whole Mango?

You’ll want to do a little prep work, rather than just tossing Fido a whole fruit and calling it a day. The biggest health concern that can come from mangos is actually user error.

Because ripe mangoes tend to be relatively soft, people will misjudge how large of a piece their pets can handle, which could potentially lead to choking. Just make sure to cut up your mango enough, and your doggo might enjoy this sweet treat, too.

Another concern here is the pit, for what is probably an obvious reason. “You’ll want to remove the pit because that’s going to be the biggest choking hazard,” Angelone explains.

Technically speaking, mango pits are edible. But they are so tough that dogs may try and swallow overly large pieces without chewing properly, and that can lead to blockages. If your dog ingests a piece of mango pit, there’s a solid chance it’ll make its way out the other end with no troubles.

But you’ll want to keep an eye on your dog for a few days and make note of any changes in appetite or potty habits, and take them to the vet right away if anything seems out of the ordinary.

In addition to the pit, mango skin can be another potential choking hazard, especially if the mango in question is underripe, as the skin can be somewhat tough and slippery enough to slide down a dog’s throat before they’ve chewed properly.

Any time you introduce a new food to your pet, consult your veterinarian first. Your dog’s vet can recommend how much mango your dog can have and how often you can feed it to him.

Can Eating Mango Be Dangerous for My Dog?

Sometimes. Make sure to peel mangoes before sharing them with your dog. Mango peel can be a choking hazard, and, as a relative of poison ivy, mango peel can also be a skin irritant.

Mango pits or seeds can also be a choking hazard or cause a digestive blockage. The seeds contain cyanide, which is also toxic to dogs at a lower dose than humans.