 The Short Answer is: |
Yes. It seems there is a great deal of confusion here. Cherry pips contain a large amount of cyanide, which makes them toxic to dogs. It is true that mango seeds contain cyanide, but nowhere near the levels found in cherry pits. The ASPCA, pet poison helpline, or humane society do not list mango seeds or pip as being toxic to dogs. Dogs may eat mango seeds for a variety of reasons. Some dog owners give their dogs mango seeds because they think it will be nice for them to chew on. |
The purpose of this article is to explain “Can Dogs Eat Mango Seeds?“.
The second I start cutting up fruit or vegetables at the kitchen counter I usually have a couple of four-legged sous chefs in the kitchen.
As I chip away at the carrots and apples my dogs know that I am likely to throw them a carrot or two.
Some people are now eating mangoes instead of apples because they have more exotic tastes.
The dog then eats the mango seed.
Is this a wise move?
Lets investigate.
My dog ate a mango seed: Three dangers
The thought of watching your dog swallow a mango seed whole might fill you with a terrible sinking feeling.
How should you proceed?
Hum while you hold your breath close your eyes and put your fingers in your ears!
I was just joking.
If your dog eats a mango seed he faces three dangers.
There is also no evidence that mango seeds are toxic to dogs which is the biggest misconception about them.
First of all if they swallow it whole then there is a possibility that the seed could get stuck in their throat and cause them to choke.
If your dog is unable to throw it back up by coughing and retching then you will need to call your vet immediately.
You might be able to make an exception if you’re comfortable performing a Heimlich maneuver on your dog.
In addition it might further damage your dogs digestive system by getting stuck further down and preventing digestion.
In this context you should look out for the following symptoms:
A general feeling of lethargy
Vomiting up undigested food
There is a lack of appetite
Thirdly a dog chewed a mango seed which can pose a threat.
As the seeds are hard there is a chance that when chewed by a dog the seeds will splinter and that these sharp splinters will pierce the insides of the digestive tract.
It is possible to find blood in your dogs stool or in their drawl if this happens.
After a few days if the condition does not improve contact your veterinarian.
One of the best things about mango seeds is that they are very slippery (have you ever tried holding one?) and this will help the seed slide through your dogs digestive system without becoming stuck.
The good news is that if it reaches your dogs stomach without incident it will be digested!
Dogs’ stomachs contain acid which largely digests the seed.
Mango seeds are very hard but since they are made from natural materials they will break down over time.
The stomach of a dog can certainly handle a mango seed if it can handle a bone.
Is a mango seed toxic for dogs?
Yes. It seems there is a great deal of confusion here.
Cherry pips contain a large amount of cyanide which makes them toxic to dogs.
It is true that mango seeds contain cyanide but nowhere near the levels found in cherry pits.
The ASPCA pet poison helpline or humane society do not list mango seeds or pip as being toxic to dogs.
Dogs may eat mango seeds for a variety of reasons.
Some dog owners give their dogs a mango seeds because they think it will be nice for them to chew on.
These are the kind of dog owners who see a mango stone which has a thin covering of sticky flesh on it and looks like a bone and think it will be a nice harmless treat for their dog.
Its possible that their dog is looking at them eagerly with those sad puppy eyes.
By assuming the stone will be chewed rather than swallowed whole we do not realize how hard it is.
Can dogs eat mango flesh?
We have learned a lot about the mango pit so far but what about the rest of the fruit?
To begin lets talk about the flesh.
Does it provide any health benefits for dogs and is it safe for them to eat?
Raw mangoes contain 83.5% water 15% sugar 1.5% fiber as well as large amounts of vitamin A vitamin C and vitamin B6.
All of which are great for your dog except for the sugar.
There is a problem with mango flesh in that it is very sticky and sweet so if your dog eats some mango the flesh could stick to his teeth for a few hours.
Just make sure your dog gets occasional mango treats and make sure your dog drinks some water afterward to wash those small pieces of flesh away!
Here are two reasons to keep your dog away from the skin
Where does the skin fit in?
There might seem strange to discuss why a dog would eat the skin of a mango since most people do not eat it.
You can bet that many of those fibers are contained in the skin and so that may be a factor in whether or not you wish to chop it up for your dog?
What is the strength of their stomach? Would it be worth the risk of diarrhea?
A second interesting fact about mango skin is that some people are allergic to it.
It contains a chemical called urushiol (which is found in poison ivy too) and can cause hives and rashes in allergic people.
You might want to peel off the mango skin and throw it straight in the trash.
Is it worse if a puppy eats a mango seed?
A puppy (or any small dog) swallowing a mango seed is worse especially if the seed is swallowed whole.
There is a greater chance of a mango pip getting stuck in a puppys body and organs due to their smaller size.
Because puppies havenot yet developed their adult set of teeth it is not advisable to let them chew on a mango pip.
Because the stone is so hard their puppy or milk teeth could break.
How should I prepare the mango so that my dog can eat it?
Partly because mangos are fiddly to prepare since the sticky juice goes everywhere as soon as you cut into them and then you have to peel the skin off and cut around the seed.
Do we wonder why more of us do not simply eat mangoes like an apple a peach or a pear instead?
In the end I stumbled upon the hedgehog method which makes the task much easier – quicker with less mess.
Watch the video below to see how the hedgehog works:
Other fruits with dangerous pits or seeds
Some confusion exists regarding the toxicity of mango seeds for dogs as I mentioned earlier.
Many fruits including mango contain cyanide in the stones.
Well its not strictly true.
Fruit stones contain amygdalin which becomes cyanide when metabolized.
A mango stone contains too little cyanide to be toxic or lethal to your dog.
However the seeds in other fruits are toxic and can kill your dog because of their high levels of cyanide.
Peaches cherries and plums are among these fruits.
Read this story about a lucky escape from cyanide poisoning after eating fruit stones to see that there is such a thing as cyanide poisoning from eating fruit stones!
Therefore avoid those fruits’ seeds as much as possible.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
