“Sometimes, a Sunday afternoon needs a whole mango to be kept entirely for oneself, and eaten in one sitting.” ― Alison Pill
Yes! Mangoes are one of those fruits that are both soft and tasty but are also packed with a lot of great immune boosting vitamins and nutrients. This juicy fruit is an excellent treat for dogs trying to lose a little weight and its soft flesh is easy for senior dogs with no teeth to enjoy!
Amount per 100g
Calories: 60 kcal
Total Fat: 0.4 g
Saturated fat: 0.1 g
Trans fat regulation: 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
Dietary fiber: 1.6 g
Sugar: 14 g
Protein: 0.8 g
Water: 83 g
Sodium: 30 mg
Potassium: 168 mg
Vitamin D: 0mcg
Calcium: 11mg
Iron: 0.2mg
Potassium: 142mg
Probably the most notable benefits of mango is that it is packed with antioxidants and inflammation fighting compounds. Mangoes specifically are rich in plant chemicals called gallotannins and mangiferin, in addition to vitamin C. Both of these protective compounds can be found just below the skin of the mango.
Think of antioxidants in certain foods like mangoes as a kind of dietary superhero in the fight against inflammation. While antioxidants are beneficial in reducing inflammation, they are best utilized as a preventative measure. This is because antioxidants reduce and repair the damage inflicted by free radicals before a severe inflammatory reaction even occurs. As a result, antioxidants may play a role in preventing heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
While not studied in humans or dogs, one pilot study in mice showed that obese mice who had a high-fat diet had an improved microbiome after mango was added to their diet. This may be due to the polyphenols, protective phytochemical compounds, found in mangoes.
Additionally, antioxidants found in mangos may offer an anti-inflammatory effect during digestion and may even help reduce inflammation in conditions like ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel disease.
While mango has a lot of health benefits, it is possible to feed your dog too much. This tropical fruit, while healthier than your average milk bone treat, has a significant amount of sugar in it. If your dog has high blood sugar or struggles with diabetes, avoid giving them any fruits. Additionally, avoid feeding your dog the pit of the mango as they could easily swallow it, resulting in a foreign body obstruction.
When offering mango as a treat for your dog, make sure to feed in moderation. As a nutritionist, I recommend a quarter cup of fresh mango once a week or twice a week for large dogs.
BBC Good Food. (2023) “Top 5 health benefits of Mango”. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-mango
Cyrus, Joseph, S. A. Vaseem, and M. T. Basavanagowda. "Surgical Removal of Mango Kernel causing Intestinal Obstruction in a Dog." Intas Polivet 11, no. 2 (2010).
Ponder, Katherine Parker, John R. Melniczek, Lingfei Xu, Margaret A. Weil, Thomas M. O'Malley, Patricia A. O'Donnell, Van W. Knox et al. "Therapeutic neonatal hepatic gene therapy in mucopolysaccharidosis VII dogs." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 99, no. 20 (2002): 13102-13107.
