Can dogs eat mango?

Mango is a safe exotic fruit for dogs as long as they only get the peeled flesh, with no large, hard pit. Because of its high sugar content it should stay a small, occasional treat. Here's how to prepare mango properly.

Why only in moderation

Mango flesh contains vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, and beta-carotene. It's a nutrient-dense fruit, but also one of the sweeter ones, with around 14 g of sugar per 100 g, noticeably more than an apple or blueberries, which is worth factoring in for regular treats.

The mango pit is large, flat, and covered in tough fibers. A dog can't swallow it whole by accident the way they might with smaller fruit, but they can bite into it and damage their teeth, or break off hard fragments that go on to cause a serious blockage in the esophagus or small intestine.

Mango skin contains compounds related to urushiol, the irritating substance found in the same plant family as poison ivy and poison sumac, and in sensitive dogs it can cause mild skin or mouth irritation. The skin should always be thoroughly removed before serving.

Given the high sugar content, mango is better suited to dogs with no excess weight, diabetes, or a tendency toward pancreatitis. For at-risk dogs, fruit with a lower sugar content, like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries, in a well-measured portion, is a better choice.

How to serve mango

• Always peel the mango and remove the entire pit along with the tough fibers around it.
• Cut the flesh into small cubes sized for your dog.
• Frozen mango cubes make a nice summer treat on sunny days.
• Offer mango only rarely and in small amounts because of its high sugar content.

Risks

• The pit or pit fragments getting lodged in the mouth, esophagus, or intestine.
• Weight gain and added strain on the pancreas with regular feeding due to the high sugar content.
• Digestive tract or skin irritation from eating the skin.
• Loose stool after a larger portion of flesh.

Symptoms to watch for

• Gagging, drooling, or pawing at the mouth if the pit gets lodged
• A bloated or painful abdomen (possible obstruction)
• Loose stool after a large portion
• Skin irritation around the mouth (rare, after contact with the skin)

Your dog already ate mango. What now?

1. If your dog licked or chewed on mango with the skin on, watch for irritation around the mouth or digestive upset.
2. If your dog bit into the pit or swallowed a fragment of it, watch for 24 to 48 hours for signs of obstruction, gagging, loss of appetite, a bloated abdomen.
3. If symptoms persist or you suspect a pit fragment is lodged in the esophagus, see a vet, an X-ray may be needed.