Cats may not be cuddly, but their owners adore them. It is hard not to love cats. They are clever animals with an unbothered personality, relatively low-maintenance, and self-reliant.
Even though they appear to be self-sufficient, owners should nevertheless watch after them. Our feline friends have a habit of eating whatever they see, including non-food items. While many of our foods are okay, there are others that may be harmful to cats.
Furthermore, fruits are hit or miss for them. Some fruits are harmless, and there are also others that could be dangerous for your cat.
Thus, can cats eat mango? Yes, cats can eat mangoes, but how safe is it for them to eat? Let’s find out below!
What do cats eat?
Cats, like other felines, are obligate carnivores. This is due to their evolutionary history. Compared to body size, their digestive systems are the smallest among mammals. They also lack the enzymes necessary for breaking down starch and absorbing nutrients efficiently from plant sources.
As a result, cats require meat to survive. Most nutrients are produced naturally by their bodies. Nonetheless, they still need fats and proteins to maintain and repair bodily tissues and suffice other minerals their bodies are unable to synthesize. You can, however, offer them fruits and veggies as long as they are only a small part of your cat’s diet.
Is it safe to give your cat mangoes?
It is safe for your cat to eat mangoes. This fruit is not toxic to them. Thus, you may give them some occasionally. Similarly, it is also safe for kittens. You can provide kittens with treats like these as part of their regular diet. Moreover, mangoes are soft and chewy, ideal for their still-developing teeth.
Mangoes are very nutritious for humans, but the same can’t be said with cats. Despite the great nutritional value of this fruit, your cat will not benefit from it as much as you will. Most of the health benefits of this fruit are already produced naturally by your cat’s body.
In addition, your cat will most probably not enjoy eating mangoes. Unlike other animals, they are unable to appreciate the flavor of this tropical fruit. This is due to the fact that some taste bud receptors responsible for sensing sweetness are missing on their tongues. Therefore, your cat may not find mangoes delicious.
This fruit also has substantial sugar and calorie content. As a result, if your cat enjoys eating mangoes, they may be consuming too many calories unwittingly. This may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, digestive problems, and other health concerns. Thus, give your cats mangoes in moderation.
Are mangoes nutritious for your cat?
It is safe to feed mangoes to your cat, but they are not as nutritious. Eating mangoes have very little nutritional value for cats. Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning some of its health advantages below.
Water
Mangoes are made up of approximately 81 percent water, which can help your cat stay hydrated. Furthermore, water helps in the regulation of their body temperature and the improvement of their overall health.
This also aids in preventing dehydration and maintaining the right balance of minerals and fluids in their bodies. Water also helps their kidneys remove toxins from their systems.
Healthy Carbohydrates
In comparison to other fruits, mangoes have a low carbohydrate content. Even though cats only need a small bulk of carbohydrates in their diet, it is still necessary since it serves as a building block for the absorption of other nutrients.
Fiber
Fiber is abundant in mangoes. This is beneficial to your cat’s digestive system. This mineral can help them prevent obesity and other gastrointestinal issues.
Potassium
Mangoes contain a small yet considerable amount of potassium. To avoid potassium deficiency or hypokalemia, cats need 330 mg of potassium per day. Cats suffering from this disease may suffer vomiting, weight loss, and muscle weakness.
Other vitamins and minerals
Mangoes contain a substantial amount of numerous vitamins and minerals. Even though your cat naturally produces some of these vitamins, there are still some that may be beneficial for them.
This fruit contains vitamin A, which is helpful for your cat’s eyes. Vitamin C may also help your cat stay healthy by helping its immune system prevent illnesses. This tropical fruit also contains vitamin E, which is good for your cat’s skin. Moreover, the vitamin K in mangoes may also aid in the quicker healing of wounds.
What makes mangoes bad for your cat?
Eating mangoes is not harmless to your cat. However, unregulated consumption of such may lead to numerous health problems.
Mangoes contain sugar
Even if your cats aren’t able to taste it, they will still suffer from the consequences of excessive sugar consumption. Too much sugar in your cat’s diet will lead to weight gain, heightening their risk of obesity, cardiac problems, and diabetes.
Similar to other carnivores, cats’ digestive systems are inefficient in metabolizing sugar and fruits. Hence, too much sugar may induce digestive problems for your cat. This may present symptoms of discomfort, stomach aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Your cat might gain excess weight by eating too many mangoes
Aside from sugar, mangoes also contain other carbohydrates. Excessive consumption of this fruit may result in obesity.
Obesity in cats is characterized as a body weight that is 20 percent higher than the normal range. It’s becoming more common among household cats. It might cause a variety of health issues, including lower urinary tract illness, decreased stamina and mobility, may induce stress on their bones, and liver problems.
Your cat doesn’t actually need a lot of fruit
Fruits, in general, are tough for your cat to digest. Cats’ digestive systems are just not suited to handle such foods.
Aside from not being able to digest it efficiently, they get very few health advantages from it. Most of the nutritious aspects of mangoes and other fruits are already naturally created by their bodies. Thus, eating mangoes might do more harm than good for your cat. This is why you should only give your cat mangoes as a treat and not as a mainstay of their diet.
Other Fruit Alternatives for Cats to Eat
Although mangoes are not harmful to your cat in moderation, there are other fruits that are better alternatives to treat your cat instead. Nonetheless, these fruits should still be considered treats and not their primary source of nutrition. Some of these fruits are:
- Apple
- Apples have less sugar than mangoes and have more nutritional fiber. These are also safe for your cat to consume and provide nutritional benefits. However, remove the peel off the apple before feeding it to your cat to make it easier for them to digest.
- Watermelon
- Watermelons have 55 percent less sugar and half the carbohydrates of mangoes. Additionally, this fruit is better for keeping your cat hydrated as it has substantially higher water content.
- Pineapple
- Another fruit that is safe for your cat is fresh pineapple. This fruit has 3.8 percent less sugar and contains less fat. Pineapples also have almost the same health benefits as mangoes.
What happens if my cat ate mango?
In moderation, mangoes are safe for your cat to consume. Hence, your cat is unlikely to have any unfavorable responses after eating small amounts of mangoes.
However, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on them and be alert for possible negative reactions. Listed below are some potential symptoms cat owners should be aware of:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pains
- Breathing problems
- Reduced appetite and energy
- Eyes that are red and/or dilated
- Abnormalities in their urine and stool
If your cat exhibits some of these symptoms, take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
How to safely give mangoes to your cat?
Giving mangoes to your cat responsibly may prevent health problems. When giving mangoes to your cat, keep the following in mind:
- Before giving mango to cats, make sure they don’t have a mango allergy. It is recommended that you first check with their veterinarians.
- Mangoes are safe for cats and kittens. However, because kittens’ digestive systems are still developing, it is not advisable to feed them mangoes in large amounts.
- Remove the peel. Even if it is safe for your cat, it may not be easy to digest.
- Don’t let them eat the seed. The cyanide in mango pits is incredibly toxic to cats. The seed is also a choking hazard for them.
- Cut the mango flesh into tiny pieces. It is preferable to feed them in small amounts or cubes. Providing them with mangoes in small portions will help them digest the fruit easier.
- As much as possible, only give them fresh or dried mangoes. Other desserts may contain other ingredients that are toxic to your cat.
- Finally, you must offer your cat mangoes as a treat only on special occasions. Moderate how much of this fruit you feed your cat to avoid issues.
Can cats eat mango skin?
We don’t recommend feeding your cat mango skin. Mango peels are already difficult to digest for other animals, but they are significantly more difficult for carnivores like cats. Furthermore, it could be a choking hazard.
However, in case your cat ate a small part of the peel, they will most probably be alright. Mango skin is not lethal to cats as long as it has been well cleaned and free of pesticides and other contaminants. Nonetheless, keep an eye out for possible adverse reactions, including vomiting, diarrhea, and indigestion.
Can cats eat mango seeds?
It is best not to feed your cat mango seeds. Apart from the risk of choking, this also carries traces of cyanide.
Cyanide is a poisonous substance that could potentially harm your cat. This might induce cyanide poisoning if ingested frequently or in high amounts. Some indicators of cyanide poisoning to watch for are drooling, vomiting, dilated eyes, shortness of breath, and muscular spasms. If not treated immediately, this might cost your cat’s life.
Can cats eat dried mangoes?
Yes, you may safely offer dried mangoes to your cat as a treat. Dried mangoes are not toxic to cats, although they may disrupt their digestive systems. Hence, you should give your cat this goodie in moderation.
Can cats eat mango-flavored desserts?
Although mangoes are safe for your cat, several desserts prepared from this fruit are not.
Mango Ice Cream
Mango-flavored ice cream, and ice cream in general, are not advisable for your cat. This is because ice cream is made using the antifreeze chemical propylene glycol. Our feline friends are very sensitive to this substance. Ingesting large amounts of this compound could induce poisoning in your cat. This could damage their red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
Mango Sorbet and Yogurt
You should never feed mango sorbet to your cat. Although the mangoes in this refreshing dessert are safe, it also contains lime juice. Limes contain psoralens, which are extremely toxic to cats.
On the other hand, mango yogurts may include artificial sweeteners and preservatives, which could threaten your cat’s health.
Milk-based Mango Desserts
In addition, take note of other ingredients included in the dessert. Avoid giving your cat milk-based delicacies. Cats, contrary to what is shown in cartoons, can be lactose intolerant. Hence, giving them such desserts may cause digestive issues.
Closing: Can cats eat mango?
Yes, it is safe to feed mangoes to your cat. Mangoes are okay for both cats and kittens, but you should only offer these as a treat. However, they are unlikely to enjoy them as they lack receptors for tasting sweetness.
Giving your cat mangoes in moderation is completely harmless. Nonetheless, unregulated intake can lead to various health complications, including obesity, diabetes, liver disease, and other digestive disorders.
Furthermore, they will not benefit as much from this tropical fruit. Despite mangoes’ high nutritional value, your cat’s body produces the majority of those naturally.
It is also not advisable to feed your cat mango peels and seeds as they are difficult to digest and can be a choking hazard. Mango seeds also contain cyanide which is toxic for cats to ingest. You should also avoid giving your cat other mango-flavored treats. These desserts may contain different ingredients that are potentially harmful to your cat.
Ultimately, we can’t risk the health problems that might arise from negligent cat parentship. There are other better options if we want to give them fruits. With all these things considered, we can ensure the safety of our cats, and we will spend more a-meow-sing time with them.