Mango is an exotic fruit that many people enjoy every now and then. It is rich in a wide range of nutrients, such as vitamin C and vitamin B6, and it also contains a fair share of magnesium, iron, as well as calcium.
But can cats eat mango? Is this type of fruit safe for our feline friends? Find out the answer below!
Is Mango Safe for Cats?
Yes.
If your cat expresses an interest in eating this fruit, you should let them have a nibble or two. Fruits are not supposed to be part of a cat’s diet since they are obligate carnivores.
However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t allow your pet to indulge in a healthy snack like this one once a week, for example. Mango is non-toxic and also not likely to cause any health issues for cats, whether that be digestive distress or a significant increase in their blood sugar.
Here are some other reasons why cats might benefit from a little mango on occasion.
Fiber
Every 100 grams of mango contains 1.6 grams of fiber. Even though that might not seem like a lot to you, especially since the fiber needs of a human being are much higher compared to what a cat might need, by comparison, this amount can be beneficial for cats.
Pets that have a history of digestive distress, particularly those suffering from chronic constipation, can do with a bit more fiber in their diets. While it is true that a source such as pumpkin is healthier as it contains less sugar, mango can be a solution every now and then.
Vitamins
The vitamin that mango is richest in is vitamin C. It does also contain vitamin B6 but in considerably lower quantities.
Vitamin C is the most important antioxidant that people and animals can get from food as it is involved in a variety of processes happening inside the body. It can repair and help with the normal development of tissues, and it can also (to some extent) prevent aging.
It helps cats to experience faster wound healing, and it also enables them to enjoy a better immune system on the whole, therefore being at a lower risk of catching infections.
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is capable of protecting a cat’s nervous system from degeneration and can also improve immune response.
Mango is rich in both of these nutrients, so it can provide them to your cat.
How Much Mango Is Safe for Cats?
Cats are not supposed to eat fruits on a regular basis, which is why there are no feeding guidelines for mango for them. You aren’t going to hear a vet advising you to give mango to your feline friend every single day, and that’s because it can predispose them to obesity or diabetes and can also cause unnecessary spikes in their blood sugar.
Don’t forget that fruits contain a lot of sugar, so they add to the daily caloric intake that your cat is supposed to have.
Another aspect that we would like to note here is that cats tend to vary a lot in size between them. There are smaller and larger breeds of cats out there, so you can’t give the same amount of mango to a Maine Coon as you would to a Munchkin.
Although the variations in size aren’t as huge as they are in dogs, they still have different weights and can handle fruit differently.
About a tablespoon of finely chopped mango per week would be safe for most cats. This quantity will not put their health at risk whatsoever.
What Should You Do If Your Cat Ate Mango?
It depends on how much mango your pet has had. If they had a lot, like a whole fruit, you should consider going to the vet clinic. It is true that mango is not toxic to this species, but even so, that would be a massive amount for a 4 to 5-pound cat.
If your cat just ate mango while you weren’t looking but the amount was several teaspoons or a tablespoon, you probably have nothing to worry about.
Just to be on the safe side of things, watch your cat’s behavior and bathroom habits for about 24 hours following the incident. Some digestive distress in the form of diarrhea or vomiting might show up, and if that happens, call your veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat mango skin?
No. The skin is not only more difficult to digest and has more fiber, but it might also be contaminated with pesticides. By the way, getting organic mango is always a good idea, especially if you want to give it to your cat.
Can cats eat dried mango?
While it is not toxic per se, dried mango (or fruit leather or other types of dried fruit) is much richer in sugar, so it can be particularly dangerous for diabetic cats or those predisposed to obesity.
Can cats eat mango yogurt?
Cats don’t tend to digest dairy products too well, so unless it is a non-dairy alternative, you should think twice before feeding it to your cat. Also, commercial yogurt usually contains other substances, such as binders, artificial colors, or flavors, and none of these can be healthy for your cat.
Can cats eat mango sorbet?
No. Not only is mango sorbet extremely rich in sugar, but it also contains lime and small quantities of salt. This is not good food to give to your pet.
Can cats eat mango ice cream?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is also no. Ice cream contains dairy, fat, and sugar, so it can’t be seen as a healthy treat for your feline companion.
One Response
I once had a sweet cat, Muffin, who loved cantaloupe, so much so that we started calling it cataloupe. I grew some one year and when we couldn’t find her, she was always in the garden, apparently mesmerized by watching it grow. She lived to a ripe old age, eating cataloupe even on her last day.