The last thing you want to see in the heat of the summer as the kids run around the garden and jump through the sprinklers you have turned to full is your puppy barking and jumping along with them but getting highly frustrated. See, as much as he loves playing with them they have something he wants, in their hands are freshly cut pieces of ripe mango.
Juice dripping down their arms and mango stains on their cheeks, the vibrant color not only epitomizes summer but its sweet flesh soothes and cools you right down. And he wants to be a part of the experience, and who can blame him. (Click here to learn more about whether mangoes are ok for dogs, don’t worry it’s not all bad.)
If the kids had their way they would share every meal or snack with him much to his delight, and although we wouldn’t necessarily mind this we do know that certain food items are not good for dogs. During the summer the children love eating cold fruits from the fridge so we decided to do a quick bit of research into whether pets and more specifically dogs were allowed to eat some too.
It’s not to say the children would outright give him a piece as we have explained the health risks certain foods pose to animals, but if a piece were to fall as they played he would surely swoop in without thinking and savor every last taste, risk or not.
Good fruits versus bad.
After doing some homework on the subject we were shocked to realize how many fruits – and vegetables for that matter – are not good for dogs, see some of them here https://www.lovethegarden.com/uk-en/article/12-fruits-and-vegetables-are-toxic-dogs but for the most part, we were surprised.
We enjoy giving our pet organic, wholesome foods as much as possible, a new ingredient called CBD that we have implemented into his diet has worked wonders, but with the added nutrition and nutrients found in fruits, we knew we had to look into it before simply jumping in.
Thankfully, although not the full fruit is safe, mangoes are not on the list of ‘don’ts,’ and so a few cubes here and there would be ok. The kids, the dog, and we were delighted to learn there are still options on the table that look and taste like mango, and his first bites expression was priceless, the sheer joy of tasting something new was plastered all over his furry little face. Win-win.
What mangoes have to offer?
Besides them tasting amazing mangos have a lot of nutritional value, from providing fiber and a large chunk of vitamin C, they are cholesterol, sodium, and fat-free, making them a great superfood. One mango can provide Vitamin A, vitamin B6, and a percentage of carbohydrates giving a sustained source of energy.
They contain a long list of essential nutrients and minerals, and while some pet owners may still be hesitant some have given their dog mango on occasion and with much success. See what some of them had to say in this link and learn more about the pros and cons when it comes to giving your dog mango, it may be the deciding answer you were waiting for.
Mangos in general.
For the most part, this sweet fruit is a wonder, the taste is exceptional especially if eaten after a long hot day or added into a refreshing cocktail to round up the week.
Due to its versatility, it is easy enough to add into recipes as you please, and what worked for us (and kept the pup’s tail wagging for hours on end) was that we froze small chunks of it into ice trays and molds and filled with water to make home-made popsicles.
What was supposed to be for the dog to cool down with after walks up the mountain soon became an iced treat for the kids too? Let’s just say there was quiet around the garden for a while, who knew a humble mango could offer a parent such a blessing am I right?
At the end of the day we have one life to live, so let’s ‘live’ it, and as the old saying goes, ‘everything in moderation is ok.’