Most of us love eating tropical fruits, especially, when they are in season. Since I got my Vitamix blender, I am in love with mangoes. They make great smoothies, sorbets, yogurts when mixed with other fruits like strawberries. But is it really safe to share a spoonful of mango with your Pug?
Can Pugs Eat Mango?
The short answer is yes, mangoes are rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and nutrients which can be beneficial for dogs! The caveat is, you NEVER want to feed your dog the pit of a mango, or the skin as it can be too tough for your dog to digest.
Related: What Fruits Can Pugs Eat?
Moderation Is Key
If you do feed your Pug mango, you’ll want to feed them the main flesh part of the mango, as it contains a great source of vitamin A, B6, C, and E and it is completely safe for your pooch!
Anytime you feed your pooch human foods, moderation is the key.
The query can dog eat mango, will bring several different answers. Some experts say that mango is safe for dogs to eat, others believe that you should never feed this fruit to canines. I’ve done some research to help you find out everything you need to know about feeding mangoes to Pugs below.
Related: What Foods Can Pugs Eat?
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Mango To Pugs?
Our mothers always told us about the importance of eating our fruits and vegetables, because of the vitamins and minerals they hold. While dogs don’t have the same nutritional requirements as us and don’t need to eat fruits and vegetables.
However, there are several fruits and vegetables that are not only good for us, but can be beneficial for dogs as well. As I mentioned above, mangoes are an excellent source of vitamins, A, C, B6, E, and K. They are also rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Is Mango Safe For Pugs?
So what does this mean for your pooch? Well, it means that the mango flesh does have some health benefits for your pooch. But first, let’s take a look at the skin and the pit of the mango.
Can Dogs Eat The Mango Skin?
While the skin of a mango is edible and some people love to eat it, you should never feed it to your pooch. The skin is too tough and your dog will have a hard time digesting it.
The mango skin has also been known to cause allergic reactions in both humans and dogs.
Urushiol, which is a compound found in poison ivy or poison oak, is also found in the skin of the mango, which can cause a rash or itchiness.
If your pooch consumes the skin, monitor them for excessive scratchiness, and be sure to consult your veterinarian to ensure your pooch is properly taken care of.
Can Pugs Eat mango Leaves?
When feeding your dog mango, always remove the leaves, as well as the seeds, skin, and pip.
Mango leaves may help improve the insulin production in humans, they do not provide any health benefits for your four-legged friend.
Can Pugs Eat Mango Pits?
Some fruits such as apples, cherries and etc contain cyanide in their seeds and pits. While mango seeds are not poisonous or toxic to dogs, they do pose a danger.
There are several people who eat the pit because of the nutrients it contains. You never want to feed it to your Pug, because the mango pit is large enough to cause a digestive blockage for your pooch.
Your dog could easily choke on the pit, even if he swallows it whole and it ends up in his stomach or intestines. It could get stuck and cause a blockage, which could lead to bit problems.
If your pooch has eaten a mango pit, open their mouth and look for any signs of a foreign obstruction. I’d also recommend contacting your veterinarian, especially, if you’re noticing any side effects from eating the mango.
Vitamins and Nutrients In Mangos
If your Pug is stressed, they may lack Vitamin C, either emotionally, or physically, which may result if slower recovery from injuries and illnesses, along with lower resistance to disease.
Healthy dogs will produce their own vitamin C, and it doesn’t need to be added to their diet.
Vitamin A is essential for skin, eye and bone health, especially, in aging dogs. It can help slow the aging eye problems such as cataracts, night blindness and even dry eyes in Pugs.
Vitamin B6 which is a nutrient that can be found in mangoes can help improve neurotransmitter functions in the brain. This means that it can improve your dog’s concentration and memory.
Fiber And Healthy Heart
Mangos are high in fiber and can aid in your Pug’s digestion, especially, if Fido suffers from mild constipation.
Fiber has also been known to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as protect against diabetes, strokes, and heart diseases.
If fed in moderation, mangoes can help in maintaining your healthy heart functions and help control your dog’s weight.
Antioxidants
The mango fruit is packed with antioxidants, which are known to boost your dog’s immune system and prevent degenerative diseases and cancer, as well as allergies, and skin problems.
Side Effects From Mangoes
While it’s safe to feed your Pug mangoes, it’s extremely important to feed them in moderation. Yes, mango has huge nutritional benefits for dogs, if you feed them too much, they will experience some side effects.
Whenever you feed your pooch any type of human food, fruits or vegetables, always monitor them closely for 24-48 hours.
Here are some signs to look for if your dog has eaten too much of the mango fruit:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal tenderness or pain
- Decreased appetite or pain
Some of those symptoms will only be noticeable if your Pug ate the mango pit.
How Can I Feed My Pug Mango?
Now that you know it’s safe to feed your Pug the flesh of the mango, let’s look at how to implement it as an occasional snack.
Note: Before feeding your dog mango, or making any changes to their diet, consult your veterinarian.
Wash Mangoes First
Whether you’re growing your own mangoes or buying them at your local supermarket, make sure you wash the fruit before feeding your pooch (or yourself).
There’s always a possibility that the mangos you buy from the store may contain pesticides, chemicals or insecticides on them, especially, if they are not organic.
A thorough washing can help remove the harmful chemicals, that can cause your pooch harm.
Remove The Pit and Peel
After washing the mango, remove the pit and peel (skin) before feeding your dog. Cut the main juicy part into small bite-size pieces.
Remember, keep the serving sizes small. Regardless of how much your Pug loves eating mango, NEVER give them more than a tablespoon of mango once or twice a week.
Recipes
There is no shortage of mango recipes for dogs online. In fact, here’s a mango sorbet recipe that your pooch will love. (source)
Spend a few minutes searching for mango recipes for canines and I have no doubt that you’ll be able to find several you can try out to see if your Pug likes eating this fruit.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Mango?
My sister in law just bought a food dehydrator and she’s making jerky and all kinds of dried fruit because it’s easy and tasty.
Dried mango is just dried fruit that can be hard for your pooch to chew and swallow. It’s also not uncommon for store-bought dried mango to have high amounts of sugar, which can be bad for your Pug.
I’d recommend only feeding your Pug fresh, organic mangoes without the skin, or peel just to be o the safe side.
Alternatives To Mangos for Pugs
If your pooch enjoys mangos, maybe they will enjoy one of these sweet treats as well!
- Pineapple
- Banana
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Mango
As you can see, it’s safe to feed your Pug mango, as long as you only give them the fleshy part. This fruit can make a great snack or a special treat.
If your Pug is known to have allergic reactions to different foods, then I’d recommend speaking with your veterinarian before giving your pooch any new type of food.
Never feed your Pug mango, unless you can monitor them properly after consumption.
References and Further Reading
Science Direct – Antioxidants In The Canine Model of Human Aging
PubMed – Exploring The Mango-Poison Ivy Connection: The Riddle of Discriminatitive Plant Dermatitis