Mangoes, a tropical fruit from the drupe family with roots in India, are among the most popular fruits consumed worldwide. In the middle of each one is a single, sizable stone.
Mangoes are a terrific sweet snack that are also healthful, and people appreciate the refreshing, juicy taste of them. But is it possible to give your cat any of this delicious fruit?
The short answer is that mango is safe for cats to consume. Cats, on the other hand, are “sweet blind,” which means they are unable to taste sweet foods. They find it to be a pretty uninteresting food as a result, though some cats will occasionally eat a few pieces.
So let’s look at when and how cats can eat mangoes, as well as a few other risks.
Nutritional Facts About Mango
Not only is mango sweet, tasty, and refreshing, but it’s packed full of nutrients with loads of great health benefits for humans.
It has a high fiber content, which makes it great for protecting and improving gut health and reducing the risk of bowel cancer. Because mango has a high water content, it is also great as a refreshing and hydrating snack!
Mango is rich in vitamins. Vitamin A has great benefits for the skin, eyes, and bones as well as boosting the reproductive and immune systems. Mango is one of the highest food sources of vitamin C, which is an important nutrient for the immune system and also boosts iron absorption.
Mango also has some other interesting health benefits. Early studies have shown that mango might suppress fat cells and genes, which could make it a great food for weight loss and control. There are also some very early studies that suggest that mango could have a role in suppressing cancer growth factors.
Benefits Of Mango For Cats
Cats do not have the taste receptors for sweet flavors, so your cat is not likely to enjoy mango.
Although mango is highly nutritious for humans, it is sadly not the case for cats. Although vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants are beneficial for cats, the high sugar content outweighs these benefits.
Cats cannot eat as much sugar as humans because it can make them unwell. Additionally, cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must consume meat and fish to stay healthy, and this is where they get most of their nutrition.
A small amount of freshly peeled mango can be a tasty treat for cats on special occasions. However, there are other healthier and more nutritionally balanced treats to offer to your feline friend, including other fruits that contain less sugar such as apples and blueberries.
How Much Mango Can A Cat Eat?
A small amount of fresh, peeled mango is OK for cats to eat occasionally, and if your feline friend gets their paws on a few pieces then you certainly don’t need to worry.
But mango should be reserved as a very occasional treat as too much could give your cat an upset tummy or contribute to weight gain. A few very small pieces are plenty.
How Frequently Can A Cat Eat Mango?
Mango should not be a regular feature in your cat’s diet. A small piece of fresh, peeled mango given as a rare treat is plenty. Any more than this and the sugar content will be too much for your cat. Remember, cats can’t taste sweet flavors, so they won’t be particularly attracted to mango anyway.
The Disadvantages Of Eating Mango For Cats
It’s OK to let your cat taste a bit of your mango, but keep it to a very small amount very occasionally.
Although mangoes are nontoxic and safe for cats to eat, there are a few risks to be aware of before you share this sweet fruit with your feline friend.
Mangoes contain a large pit or stone, that’s too large for a cat to swallow. However, if your cat does get hold of a mango pit and chews on it, small pieces of it could splinter off. These pieces will be sharp and could cause damage to the inside of your cat’s mouth. Larger pieces of stone could be a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage.
Mango is very high in sugar, which is what makes it so delicious and tasty for us humans. However, cats cannot cope with eating the same amount of sugar as we can. Too much sugar can cause vomiting or diarrhea in cats, or cause unwanted weight gain.
Dried mango also has risks for cats. Dried mango usually contains added sugar on top of the natural sugar in the fruit. It could also contain preservatives, and not to mention it’s really hard and chewy. Cats will find it hard to chew on dried mango, which could make it a choking hazard, and they are unlikely to enjoy it. Any preservatives found in dried fruit could also potentially be harmful to cats.
Do Cats Enjoy The Taste Of Mango?
Cats often enjoy a little taste of human food, and some cats will do anything to get their paws on some. However, cats are not naturally attracted to the sweet taste of mango as they can’t actually taste sweet foods. They may enjoy the texture of mango but are likely to turn their nose up at it as they won’t get to enjoy the delicious, sweet flavor!
Conclusion
Mangoes are packed with nutrition, as well as being sweet and refreshing. They can be a great occasional treat for cats if you want to add a little variety to their diet, but since cats cannot taste sweet flavors, they will be unlikely to be particularly drawn to eating mango and might not enjoy the taste.
Mango is safe and nontoxic, so you don’t need to worry if your cat steals a chunk from your plate. But it is very high in sugar, especially dried mango, which could give your cat an upset tummy or contribute to weight gain. Mango offers little nutritional benefit to cats as it can only be eaten in very small amounts.