Mangoes are tropical fruits from Asia. They are juicy, tender when ripe. They are sweet to taste and comprised of three parts; the skin, the flesh, and the pit. Mangoes are rich in sugar, vitamin A, B6, C, K and E, potassium, and magnesium.
They are also rich in antioxidants. The flesh and skin are rich in fiber. These are beneficial to the dog’s health. The pit however is toxic. It contains cyanide which when ingested leads to death. Dogs love to eat mango due to the high amounts of sugar and the tender juicy flesh.
Can Dogs Have Mango?
Yes, dogs can eat mangoes. As stated above mangoes are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Only the fleshy part of the mango is edible though at times they can indulge and eat the skin.
What happens when a dog eats mango?
Vitamins and minerals found in mangoes are essential in building the immunity of your dog, therefore, enabling him or her to fight off infections or diseases. Vitamin A helps to improve vision and bone health. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that helps to protect cells free radicals which cause cell injury.
The high fiber helps in bowel movement which prevents constipation. Potassium helps in normal nerve functioning. The natural sugar found in mangoes helps in providing energy essential for cell metabolism.
Can a Dog Digest Mango?
Dogs should be fed only the fleshy part of the fruit cut into pieces. Once ingested, vitamins, minerals, and sugar are first broken down by enzymes in the mouth and later in the stomach. They are then absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestines.
The peelings are rich in fiber made from cellulose. This makes it hard to digest and should be avoided.
Will a Dog Get Sick from Eating Mango?
Despite the many health benefits associated with eating mangoes, excessive eating can lead to diabetes due to the high sugar content. As stated above, dogs should not be fed the peel as it can lead to stomach aches, gut irritation, and diarrhea.
The pit is also quite toxic. It contains cyanide which prevents the transportation of oxygen in the body leading to shock and death. The pit when swallowed can get stuck in the food pipe leading to choking or in the intestinal tract causing an obstruction. However, in some situations, it may be passed out through the stool.
Bottom Line
Mangoes are overall healthy fruits for dogs. They are a rich source of vitamin A, B6, C, K, and E which helps in building immunity, vision, metabolism, and antioxidants. They also provide fiber as roughage and natural sugar for energy production.
The pit should not be fed to dogs as it contains a poisonous substance known as cyanide. It is converted to hydrogen cyanide in the body which prevents absorption and transportation of oxygen in the body leading to death.
Mangoes should be fed in moderation as excessive eating can lead to diabetes. Here at https://dogstruggles.com/, we receive many questions from anxious dog owners. The majority being about things their dog has eaten and if there is a need for concern, so be sure to check out our other posts.
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