Can Dogs Eat Mango?

With summer in full swing, our buggies at the supermarket are filled with goods that quench our thirst while giving us something yummy to snack on.

Chief among our selection? Nature’s candy: the mango.

Its soft, succulent flesh provides a tangy, almost tart taste that makes it the perfect addition to a smoothie or eaten by itself!

After you’ve finished dicing or cubing your mango, you wonder whether or not you should give some to your four-legged friend, or if you should just slice up some cucumber for them and call it a day.

Can Dogs Have Mangos?

Yes! Dogs can absolutely have mangos so long as they’ve been peeled and had their pits removed.

More on the peels and pits below. 

Not only are these sweet fruits delicious and refreshing, but they’re also rich in essential vitamins and minerals that make them a perfect treat for your canine companion.

What Are Some Benefits of Feeding Mangos to Dogs?

Mangos are rich in a variety of essential vitamins and minerals that promote healthy living for your dog.

To start, mangos are a great source of vitamins A, B6, C, and E. That means eating mangos can help reduce inflammation and cognitive aging while boosting nervous system function, hormone regulation, and immune system function.

Mangos are also a good source of dietary fiber and critical nutrients like antioxidants, beta carotene, and potassium that help lower cholesterol levels, boost the immune system, and improve digestive health.

Are There Any Risks With Feeding Mangos to Dogs?

The only risks your dog faces by eating mango come from the parts of the fruit no one even typically wants: the peels and the pits.

While dogs can technically can eat mango skin (though we’re not sure why they’d want to), it’s generally not advised. A mango’s leathery skin can be tough for your pup to digest, and this can lead to tummy troubles down the line. (Mango peel can be a choking hazard, and, as a relative of poison ivy, mango peel can also be a skin irritant.)

However, dogs should absolutely not eat the tough pit found in the fruit’s interior. Biting into one can damage your dog’s teeth. Plus, they’re notoriously difficult to swallow and present a serious choking hazard. What’s worse, even if your dog can swallow a mango pit, it can still get stuck and damage their digestive tract.

If you suspect your dog has swallowed a mango pit and they are not showing signs of choking or abdominal discomfort, diligently monitor their behavior for a few hours. But, if you see your dog eat a mango pit and begin choking or exhibiting changed behavior, call your vet immediately.

Finally, remember that mangos have a very high sugar content. You want to avoid feeding your dog too much sugar to avoid unwanted calories, and because sugar can cause bellyaches or diarrhea.

How Should You Serve Mango to Dogs?

Before you decide to feed your dog mango, consult with your veterinarian to gauge how much mango you can serve and how often. Your vet will likely recommend that mangos only be used as a treat, and that treats should only represent 10% of your dog’s caloric intake.

To serve mango to your dog properly, you’ll first need to peel the mango and it should be a ripe mange to avoid any tummy upsets.

To do this, stand the mango on its end, with the stem-side facing down.

Remember: the pit is a large, flat oval in the center of the mango.

With a sharp knife, cut from the top of the mango and go down one side of the pit. Then, repeat on the other side.

Once both halves have been sliced, lay the halves on a cutting surface with their skins facing down. Cut long, thin strips lengthwise into the flesh of the meat, being careful not to pierce the skin. Then, turn your knife and cut crosswise. After, carefully begin to turn your mango inside out. You should be rewarded with easy-to-scrape off mango cubes!

Repeat this process with the other half.

After removing the cubes from both halves, go ahead and trim any remaining fruit around the pit. Once all the available fruit has been dug out, throw the pit and peels away in a pet-proof container.

After gathering all of the fruit together, your mango is ready to serve! Offer these refreshing, candy-like chunks, in moderation, as described above, as a delicious reward for good behavior!

If you’re curious about knowing more about how to keep your pets looking and feeling their best, even when problems arise, keep up by visiting our dog page or dog blog where we spill the best ways to keep your dog feeling happy and healthy.