Can Dogs Eat Mango?

When fed in moderation, mango can provide your dog with several nutritional benefits, including:

• High in fiber, proteins, and minerals
• Loaded with antioxidants such as beta-carotene, a pigment responsible for the yellow-orange color of the fruit, shown to fight free radicals
• Contain vitamins B (including folate), B6, C, and E, as well as vitamin A, an essential nutrient for dogs that influences their reproduction, growth, skin, and coat

While dogs can eat mango as a treat or mixed in with their regular food, mango can present a few risks for dogs, including:

Toxic Pit

Mango pits contain small amounts of cyanide, but this small amount is unlikely to cause toxicity in a dog. According to the FDA, a dog would have to eat a large quantity and/or chew the pits up  to release the cyanide.

As for the skin, it contains urushiol, a chemical found in poison ivy and poison oak. While there are no documented cases of dogs being allergic to mango skin, the skin is tough and difficult for dogs to digest. So always remove the skin before feeding mango to your dog.

Choking Hazard

The pit can also be a choking hazard or become stuck in your dog’s digestive tract. An obstruction in a dog’s digestive tract is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated.

Symptoms of an intestinal obstruction include:

• Vomiting
• Decreased or no appetite
• Lethargy
• Constipation
• Painful belly
• Weight loss

If you see any of these signs or think your dog has eaten a mango pit, consult a veterinarian immediately.

Upset Stomach

If your dog eats mango and it doesn’t sit well with them, they’ve eaten too much mango, or they eat mango too often, it can lead to upset stomach, and they may experience symptoms such as:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Decreased or no appetite
• Fatigue

If you see any of these signs of trouble, stop feeding mango to your dog and contact your vet.

Obesity

Mangoes contain high sugar content, and eating too much sugar over a long period of time can cause obesity in dogs, as well as diabetes and an upset stomach.

If your dog already struggles with obesity or diabetes, keep mangoes off-limits.

The best way to serve mango to dogs is fresh, peeled, removed of the pit, and cut into bite-size chunks. But what about frozen mango? And is it OK to give dogs dried mango or mango juice?

• Can dogs eat frozen mango? Yes, dogs can eat frozen mango if it’s cut into bite-size chunks and slightly softened. Frozen mango can damage dog teeth, and if the pieces are too large, can be a choking hazard for small dogs. Monitor your dog as they eat frozen mango.
• Can dogs eat dried mango? Yes, dogs can eat dried mango if it's unsweetened. It's also perfectly OK to feed dried mango if you dehydrate fruit at home. It's best to avoid feeding your dog store-bought dried mango, though, because it often contains high sugar and calorie content and could contain other harmful preservatives and ingredients to dogs. If a vet approves feeding your dog dried mango, be mindful of the portion size.
• Can dogs have mango juice? No, dogs shouldn’t drink mango juice. While fruit juices aren’t toxic to dogs, they often contain sugar, artificial coloring, and preservatives that aren’t particularly healthy for them. However, if you are making freshly squeezed juice at home and know that the only ingredient is the fruit, it’s OK to give your pooch a lick.
• Can dogs eat mango skin? No, dogs shouldn’t eat mango skin. Not only does it contain urushiol but it’s difficult to for dogs to chew and digest.
• Can dogs eat mango seeds? No, do not feed your dog the mango seed. It's a choking hazard and can cause obstruction if consumed. Plus, the seed contains trace amounts of cyanide that's harmful to dogs.

Mangoes are considered a treat, and treats should be fed in moderation, making up no more than 10% of the total calories of your dog’s daily diet, with the rest coming from a complete and well-balanced dog food.

About 1 cup of mango chunks contains about 100 calories.

That said, below are general guidelines for safely feeding mango to your dog based on weight. However, you should always consult with your vet before serving mango to determine the right portion size for your dog.

Here are some tips for safely preparing and feeding mango to dogs:

• Opt for fresh mango. Even unsweetened dried mango has increased sugar content.
• Peel the skin. Because mango skin is tough and can be difficult for dogs to digest.
• Remove the pit. Remember, it can be choking hazard and can cause an obstruction in the digestive tract if eaten.
• Cut into bite-size pieces. More specifically, cut into ½-inch-wide by ¼-inch-thick cubes for smaller dogs, and 1-inch-wide by ¼-inch-thick cubes for larger dogs.
• Start small. Begin with a small amount to make sure it won’t give your dog an upset stomach.

Why not make a homemade treat for your pup? Here are two vet-approved recipes that include mango:

Green Smoothie Bowl for Dogs