17 April 2023

Can cats eat mango?

By Killian

Can cats eat mango?

The mango is a fruit that began to be cultivated more than 5,000 years ago in Southeast Asia. Its excellent taste and nutritional benefits have made it one of the most popular and appreciated tropical fruits around the world, but can our pets eat mango? Do you know what happens if I give my cat mango? We already anticipate that mango is not a toxic fruit for cats and that, therefore, they can eat it, although it is not recommended for them to consume it frequently. If you want to discover the details, do not hesitate to join us in the following AnimalWised article, in which we will reveal if can cats eat mango.

Is mango good for cats?

First of all, we must clarify that the handle does not contain any substances that are toxic for the organism of cats. Therefore, we can affirm that the handle Is it a fruit that cats can eat?since it is not toxic or dangerous for them.

However, it is important to note that cats, unlike dogs, they are strict carnivores. That is, they are animals that must have a diet based on the consumption of foods of animal origin, rich in protein and fat. In general, fruits are not foods that should be included regularly in the diet of these animals, since the vast majority provide high levels of carbohydrates and sugars.

Specific, mango is not recommended fruit for cats, as it contains considerably high sugar levels. In fact, it doubles the sugar content of other fruits, such as melon or strawberry (mango provides almost 14 grams per 100 grams of edible portion, compared to 6-7 grams provided by melon or strawberries).

Taking the above into account, we can conclude that, although cats can eat mango, it is not a fruit that should be included in the diet of these animals, or at least, not on a regular basis.

Can cats eat mango?  - Is mango good for cats?

Image: Bunko

Benefits of mango for cats

As we have seen, mango is not a particularly recommended fruit for cats. However, although its contribution has certain drawbacks, the truth is that it is a fruit that can provide certain nutritional benefits. Here are the most important benefits:

  • It is a source of fiber: which favors intestinal transit, improves the quality of feces and contributes to the maintenance of beneficial intestinal microbiota.
  • It is a source of vitamins: specifically, it provides considerable levels of vitamin A, vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin C, which act as powerful antioxidants in the body, neutralizing the effect of free radicals and preventing cell aging. In addition, mangos contain beta-carotene, antioxidant compounds that are transformed into vitamin A in the body. We are talking about Vitamin B for cats: dose and what it is for.
  • Contains mangiferin: It is a polyphenolic compound that, in addition to having an antioxidant effect, has been shown to have antitumor, antiviral, antiparasitic and antidiabetic activity. In addition, it is a compound that acts as an immunomodulator and prevents bone resorption.

“Can cats eat papaya?” Find out the answer!

How to give mango to my cat?

As we have mentioned, mango is not a food that should be part of the regular diet of cats. However, if you notice that your cat shows a special interest in this fruit, you can opt for offer it as a reward, occasionally. A good option may be to use it as an alternative to commercial prizes.

Before offering the mango to your cat, it is important that you prepare it properly by following the steps below:

  • First of all, select a mango that is ripe enough.
  • Next, peel it and remove the central bone. The skin and bone of the mango should never be brought in, since they can cause significant damage to cats. These elements pose a risk of choking, can cause injuries to the oral mucosa and obstructions in the stomach or intestinal tract, therefore it is important to remove them before offering the fruit.
  • Once you have separated the pulp from the mango, cut it into little cubes, about half a centimeter.

Mango dose for my cat

If you finally decide to include mango in your cat’s diet, remember that you should only offer it in small amounts and occasionally. In an adult cat, you can provide 3-5 cubes of mango, a couple of times a month. Providing an excessive amount or offering it too frequently can cause some unwanted effects on your cat’s health, which we discuss in more depth in the next section.

Side effects of mango for cats

Although mango is one of the fruits that cats can eat, the truth is that it is a food that It can cause significant damage to the health of these animals.especially when administered inappropriately or in excessive amounts.

Next, we mention the negative effects that mango can cause in cats:

  • Obesity: mango is a fruit with a relatively high energy value, which is why its contribution can favor the appearance of obesity and overweight, especially in neutered and elderly cats
  • nutritional imbalances: As we have seen, cats are strict carnivores that must have a diet based on the consumption of foods of animal origin. An excessive intake of fruit can cause significant nutritional imbalances, with protein deficits, electrolyte imbalances, etc.
  • Choking or suffocation: when the handle is offered with fragments of skin or bone.
  • Digestive problems: Contributing the mango bone can cause significant problems in the digestive tract, such as: ulcers in the oral or gastrointestinal mucosa, fractures of dental pieces and gastric or intestinal obstructions. You may be interested in consulting the following AnimalWised post on Gastritis in cats: symptoms, causes and treatment.

Contraindications of mango for cats

There are certain situations in which the contribution of mango can be counterproductive. Specifically, the contribution of mango to:

  • cats with overweight or prone to obesity.
  • cats with allergies or food intolerances.
  • cats with gastrointestinal pathologies (episodes with diarrhea or vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease -IBD-, gastrointestinal lymphoma, etc.).

Finally, remember that whenever you introduce any new food into your cat’s diet, it is important that you monitor the appearance of possible adverse reactions in the hours after its administration. Now that you know that cats can eat mango as an occasional treat, you may have doubts about whether cats can eat banana. Discover it in the previous link!

If you want to read more articles similar to Can cats eat mango?we recommend that you enter our Home Diets section.

Bibliography

  • Spanish Federation of Nutrition. (2018). Status report on fruit and vegetables: nutrition and health in Spain in the 21st century.