If you have ever inspected the ingredients on several cat food products, you have likely seen that they contain a wide variety of ingredients, and you’ll find meat, fruit, vegetables, grains, and more. One of the questions we get frequently is if it’s safe for cats to eat mango. The short answer is yes, most cats can eat mango occasionally and in moderation, but there are several things to consider before offering it as a treat for your cat.
Keep reading while we discuss the pros and cons of this delicious fruit as well as the best way to feed it to help you be better informed. However, if your cat is diabetic, on a particular diet, suffering from food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, or other, it’s crucial to consult with your vet, and mango should be avoided.
Is Mango Bad for Cats?
Cats Are Carnivores
The biggest problem with feeding your cat mango or any other fruit is that cats are strict carnivores. Cats do not consume any fruits in the wild as it’s not part of their natural diet. Instead, they prefer to stick to the mice, birds, insects, and other small animals that they kill. Since they don’t usually consume it, mango can upset the cat’s sensitive digestive system causing discomfort and even diarrhea. Some will be more susceptible than others, so you will need to watch a cat carefully the first few times you give them a new food like mango.
High in Sugar
Another problem with mango and other fruit is that it’shigh in sugar. Too much sugar can easily lead to weight gain and other health problems, and obesity is already a major concern for cats in the United States. Some experts are suggesting that more than 50% of cats are obese, so it’s often better to choose a healthier snack. There is also no benefit to giving your cat sugar, as theycannot taste sweet things.
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Is Mango Good for Cats?
No one is disputing the beneficial nutrients mango has to offer, but in all reality, these amounts are too small to be significant for your cat. Nor should they be. A balanced complete diet is all that your cat needs to lead a healthy thriving life, and snacks are there for a bit of extra flavor. Still, let’s look into a few ingredients in mangoes.
Water: Many pet owners complain that it can be difficult to get their cat to drink enough water. We recommend acat fountain to help keep your pet hydrated because the sound seems to attract them, and they seem to prefer running water to a bowl of it. However, fruit can also be a great way to keep your pet hydrated, and the mango is a good choice, but only as a rare treat.
Vitamins: There are plenty of vitamins in mango that can benefit general health. However, the amount of mango a cat may eat safely is too small for them to reap any significant benefits, and cats have different vitamin requirements and conversion success than humans.
Potassium: Mango has plenty of potassium, which is an important electrolyte.
Carbohydrates: The mango is a good source of carbohydrates, but cats do not have a big dietary need for them, as their food is based on animal protein and fat.
High-quality cat food is an important part of fostering a long and healthy life for your cat but the right cat food and water dish will promote good posture, offer whisker relief, and aid in good digestion. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite bowl since it offers all of the above and is beautifully crafted to meet modern home stylings. The wide tray design catches any food and water spills and the entire setup is dishwasher safe. Learn more about the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl here.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
How Can I Feed My Cat Mango?
Wash Thoroughly: Because mango can have a lot of pesticides on it, we recommend washing it thoroughly before doing anything else.
Remove the Skin and Seed: On you get all of the chemicals off, you can carefully remove the skin and discard it. Slice the fruit in half, then remove and discard the seed, as it’s not digestible and may present a choking hazard or lead to teeth damage.
Chop or Blend: Chop or blend the remaining fruit until it’s about the consistency of their normal food. Alternatively, offer a small amount of fresh fruit flesh.
How Much Mango Should I Feed My Cat?
We recommend limiting the mango portion size to 1 tablespoon every once in a while as a treat. This amount shouldn’t contribute to weight gain, but still, it’s not recommended for all cats. If your cat s diabetic, suffering from a digestive disorder or food allergies, or you are not sure if they can have a little bit of mango, speak to your vet first, as there are safer and healthier snack options.
Image Credit: toodlingstudio, Pixabay
Can I Give My Cat Dried Mango?
You should avoid giving your cat dried mango, because this fruit will contain a much higher sugar concentration. Dried fruit can be quite chewy and may present a choking risk, and it might also contain preservatives and other chemicals that can be harmful to your pet, so it’s best avoided
What Other Fruit Can I Feed My Cat?
You can feed your cat several other fruits in moderation, including apples, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, pumpkin, watermelon, and many others. With each of these fruits, you will need to clean them carefully, remove the core and seeds, peel them and limit portion size as you do with mango.
What Are Some Healthy Snacks I Can Give My Cat?
There are manyhealthy treats available for your cat, and we recommend choosing a brand that uses natural ingredients and has meat listed first. One of the best treats you can give your cat is plain cooked chicken. Boil a breast and chop or blend it to the consistency of your pet’s normal food for a healthy treat that’s high in protein without the added sugar.
Knowing exactly what your feline companion can and cannot eat will help you become the best pet parent. Recognizing that not all cat bowls are equal is also key! The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl sets itself apart from traditional options by catering to the specific needs of cats. The innovative design offers whisker relief via shallow dishes and promotes digestion with a slight bowl elevation. Find out if the Hepper NomNom is right for your cat by clicking here.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Summary
Mango is a safe fruit for your cat to eat as long as youlimit portion size and offer it as a rare treat. The downside is it’s high in sugar and can throw off your cat’s sensitive digestive system, which is only supposed to eat animal protein. Remove mango skin and seed, as they are not digestible and may present a choking risk. Fruits are not an adequate treat for diabetic cats, so always speak to your vet before offering your cat any new food or unfamiliar ingredients.
We hope you enjoyed reading this short guide and found the answers you need. If we have helped you find a new treat for your pet, please share our look into if cats can eat mango on social media.
Ed Malaker is a veteran writer who has contributed to a wide range of blogs that cover tools, pets, guitars, fitness, and computer programming. When he’s not writing, Ed is usually performing DIY projects around the house or working in the garden. He’s also a musician and spends a lot of time helping people fix their guitars and composing music for independent films.
