Health benefits of mangoes

Mangoes are packed with the following nutrients:

Plenty of vitamins and minerals – Not only are mangoes delicious, but they are a great source of Vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6. They are also rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium.

Cancer prevention elements – Mangoes also contain polyphenols which are very effective in fighting cancer cells. Scientists have also discovered that mangoes also have anti-inflammatory properties.

Eyesight and good skin – The Vitamin A in mangoes is essential for good bone and skin health. They help in improving your dog’s skin condition and they improve the coats as well.

A deficiency of vitamin A can lead to muscle weakness and poor vision. If your dog’s food does not contain enough Vitamin A, ensure to feed your dog enough mangoes.

Brain health – The Vitamin B6, and the glutamine acid help to improve the neurotransmitter function in the dog’s brain. This will then help your dog’s concentration and memory.

High fiber and a healthy heart – Mangoes are high in fiber, and this promotes regular bowel movements. It also contributes to a healthy digestive system. Regular fiber intake will also lead to a healthy heart.

Fiber also lowers cholesterol and the blood pressure as well. It will also help to fight against strokes, diabetes and heart diseases. Mangoes will also help your dog with healthy heart functions and work on maintaining a healthy weight for them.

Anti-oxidants – Mangoes are packed with lots of anti-oxidants which help to keep diseases away, and also, they boost the dog’s immune system.

Important points to remember

Below are a few things to keep in mind when thinking about feeding mangoes.

Lot’s of fructose: Mangoes are highly concentrated with natural fructose, which is an organic sugar that is much healthier compared to the processed sugars in fruit juices that can lead to weight gain.

However, a dog’s immune system is not engineered to digest large quantities of sugar, so, ensure to give mangoes in moderation.

The best thing to do is to start slow, by giving a slice or two, and then watch out for any stomach discomfort, or other symptoms that may suggest the mango is not well received.

Frozen or fresh? Always give your dog fresh mangoes. These have the most nutrients and also ensure the mangoes are organic.

Frozen and other types of pre-packed mangoes will often lack some nutrients and this will make it unhealthy for your dog. These also contain added sugar or contain a sugar syrup that may not always agree with your dog’s stomach.

Toxic pit: All mangoes contain a toxic pit in the middle and this must always be removed before giving your dog the mango. This is a choking hazard and can lead to intestinal blockage and death.

It also contains the chemical cyanide which may not be too toxic for the dog, but it is still a threat.

If your dog ingests the mango seed, contact the doctor immediately.

Mango recipes for dogs

Mango treats

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of fresh pureed mango.
  • 1 cup of coconut water or milk.
  • 1 tablespoonful of honey – this is optional.

Instructions

  1. Peel the mango and remove the seed, then dice it into small pieces. Put in the blender and puree till nice and smooth.
  2. Add in the coconut water or milk and the honey as well. Blend this some more till it is well mixed.
  3. Pour it into the ice cubes container and cover it with a plastic bag or wrap. If you have hard plastic trays, this is perfect because the mixture will not spill. If you have silicone molds, then you will need to lay them on something flat.
  4. Freeze this overnight.
  5. In the morning, remove the tray and let it sit on the counter to loosen it a bit.
  6. Feed your dog the delicious frozen treats on a hot day.

Mango and banana frozen treats

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of mango – skinned and chopped into small pieces.
  • 1 banana – mashed.
  • 1 ½ cups of coconut water/milk
  • 1 tablespoon of Pro bloom from honest

Instructions

  1. In a blender, add the mango, coconut water, banana, and the Pro Bloom. Puree this for 1 full minute or until well blended to smooth
  2. Pour this mixture into the ice cube tray.
  3. Allow them to freeze overnight or at least 8 hours.
  4. In the morning, run some warm water on the molds in order to remove from the tray.
  5. Feed to your dog when hot.

Mango sorbet

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe and peeled mangoes.
  • The juice of 1 orange.
  • Juice from 1 lime.
  • ½ cup of unsweetened milk -almond.

Instructions

  1. Add all of the ingredients into the blender.
  2. Blend till smooth and lump-less.
  3. Pour into the ice cube trays and freeze overnight.
  4. Feed your dog the delicious treats.

What are you waiting for, get the cooking utensils ready and make your doggo one of the above delicacies.

Final say on feeding your dog mangoes

Though it is safe to feed your dog mangoes, a lot of care must be exercised when it comes to the pit because as mentioned earlier this can spell disaster for your dog.

Look out for the following symptoms in case your dog has ingested the pit:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Decreased appetite and anorexia.
  • Abdominal tenderness
  • Straining when defecating or you notice the dog producing small amounts of feces.
  • A change in behavior when you pick him up or you notice his stomach growling.

Whenever you want to feed your dog mangoes, follow the recipes above, or ensure you peel it and remove the pit.