Human Food For Dogs: Can Dogs Eat Mangoes? (and the surprising answer)
by Dr. Marty Pets Team | Apr 22, 2018 | 0 comments
Mangoes are a wonderful, sweet fruit, and they make a great addition to any healthy diet. But while many people love mangoes, is it a good idea to share them with your four-legged best friend?
If you like to sneak some “human” food to your pooch every once in a while, you might be wondering… can dogs eat mangoes?
While the answer is yes, dogs can eat mangoes, you need to be careful. Here’s some information on how your dog can benefit from a little bit of mango now and then.
Can Dogs Eat Mangoes: Safety First
Dogs can eat mangoes in small amounts since the fruit contains essential vitamins. But, as with anything you give your pet, you want to give them mangoes in moderation.
And before you give your dog this tasty treat, you’ll definitely want to peel the mango and take out the pit. A mango pit can be very dangerous to your pooch. It’s small enough to swallow and large enough to choke on. As a result, it can cause an abdominal obstruction that can be very serious. If your dog accidentally consumes a mango pit, watch them closely. Look for any signs of choking or abdominal obstruction, and to ensure they’re okay — I recommend getting your dog to the vet for a quick, professional look.1
Symptoms of an obstruction — like a mango pit — include the following:
· Decreased appetite
· Diarrhea and/or vomiting
· Lethargy
· Abdominal pain
· Dehydration2
Can Dogs Eat Mangoes: They’re Packed with Nutrients
Mangoes contain not only fiber and calcium but several other nutrients as well. These include vitamins A, B6, C, and E.3 Here are some of the ways these vitamins and nutrients can help your pet:
Fiber
There are two main kinds of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber ferments in the colon, creating gases. Insoluble fiber moves through your dog’s digestive tract, absorbing water along the way. The fermentation process helps in the creation of fatty acids, which help to control the growth of harmful bacteria in the digestive tract.
Fiber also helps to reduce both diarrhea and constipation, in humans and in canines. Finally, fiber also helps to keep a dog’s weight under control. That means if your dog gets enough fiber, it can feel full without overeating!
Calcium
Dogs need calcium for a lot of different reasons. It helps ensure that their bones and teeth stay strong, and it even helps ensure that their blood clots properly. In addition, calcium plays a role in the transmission of nerve impulses and the contraction of muscles. If a dog doesn’t have enough calcium, they might be susceptible to weakened bones and slow reflexes. If a pregnant dog has a calcium deficiency, she will be at a higher risk of developing eclampsia. This is a condition that can lead to seizures, muscle tremors, and fever.5
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is fat soluble, meaning it is stored in your dog’s fat cells. If your dog doesn’t get enough vitamin A, they might be at risk for many different health problems, including skin conditions, stunted growth, a dull coat, and even night blindness. Dogs that don’t get enough vitamin A may even be susceptible to reproductive issues. Females with vitamin A deficiency sometimes give birth to puppies that have eye disorders. Males with a deficiency could be at risk of becoming sterile.6
But there are also health issues associated with an over-supply of vitamin A. This condition is known as “vitamin A toxicity” and can often lead to arthritis that is so severe, this can cause a complete loss of mobility. Dogs with this problem often have extreme stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and other joints, leading to pain and lameness.7
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is essential to a dog’s health. Not enough vitamin B6 can lead to tooth problems, skin lesions, and the formation of kidney stones.8 One of the reasons why this vitamin is so important is that it helps create hormones, proteins, and neurotransmitters — so their brain can function at top notch. Vitamin B6 also helps to regulate the body’s water content. It also ensures your dog keeps a good balance of potassium and sodium in their body. Vitamin B6 also helps make sure the immune system works as it should.9
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is very important to your dog. And unlike humans, a canine can turn glucose into vitamin C. But if your dog has liver issues, they might need a supplement. After all, vitamin C helps to ensure proper functioning of your dog’s immune system, and it is critical to the development of teeth, bones, skin, and cartilage. And even if your dog is healthy, a little extra vitamin C is never a bad idea. Your pet will just “pee out” whatever they don’t need.10
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight the effects of oxidation, including the formation of body-harming free radicals. Vitamin E also helps form cell membranes and plays a role in helping your dog’s vision, immune system, and brain function.11
Can Dogs Eat Mangoes: The Last Word
While the answer to the question can dogs eat mangoes is yes, you should always do so in moderation. This fruit offers several nutrients that are great for your dog’s health. But always take out the mango pit first, to avoid the possibility of an abdominal obstruction.
To stay on the safe side regarding the question can dogs eat mangoes, make sure you speak with your veterinarian first before giving a piece of mango to your dog. Your vet will let you know if your dog might be prone to any kinds of food allergies, or if mangoes can cause any other problems specific to your pet.
Sources:
1.http://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/natural-foods/can-dogs-eat-mango/ 2.https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/gastrointestinal-foreign-bodies
3.https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2271
4.http://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/general-nutrition/benefits-high-fiber-dog-foods
5.https://www.vetinfo.com/benefits-of-calcium-dogs.html
6.https://www.vetinfo.com/vitamin-a-for-dogs.html
7.https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vitamin-a-toxicosis-in-dogs
8.https://www.vetinfo.com/vitamin-b-complex-for-dogs.html 9.https://www.dsm.com/markets/anh/en_US/Compendium/companion_animals/vitamin_B6.html
10.http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Basics/Vitamin-C.aspx
11.https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/vitamin-e-good-dogs
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