Can Cats Eat Mango?

Cats are carnivores, and a cat’s obsession with something as sweet and high in carbs as mango may be odd but not necessarily unhealthy.

Each cat is an individual with unique taste preferences, and felines as species are exceedingly curious, so your pet’s interest in the fruit is perfectly normal.

However, moderation is crucial with any cat treat, and mango is no exception. Any food can cause severe adverse effects if consumed excessively.

Is Mango Safe for Cats?

The primary concern with feeding cats human food is the safety of our four-legged friends. Fortunately, mango is safe for cats because it doesn’t contain any toxic elements and won’t cause food poisoning. However, you should still be aware of the caveats.

Like any fruit, mango is rich in carbs, most of which come from natural sugars. Cats feed primarily on protein and shouldn’t consume too many carbs because they can’t digest them and convert them into energy.

Instead, carbs in a cat’s body go towards fat gain and raise blood sugar levels. So, excessive consumption of mango can lead to diabetes and obesity in the long term. The high sugar content also promotes tooth decay.

However, mango’s glycemic index of 51 isn’t that high compared with most fruits. For comparison, watermelon’s glycemic index is 80, and melon’s 65.

Furthermore, a cat’s gastroenteric tract is delicate. Any food not intended for feline consumption may disrupt the function of a cat’s digestive system and cause stomach upset.

Cats can also have unique food allergies, although they are easy to confuse with food intolerances.

Lastly, mango sold in stores is often treated with chemicals for better preservation. The skin protects the flesh from chemicals, but sometimes, they manage to get through, so washing the fruit before giving it to a cat is important.

Dried mango is also generally safe for cats, but it contains even more sugars and may make a cat hyperactive. Dried mango also absorbs water in the cat’s stomach and may lead to constipation.

As a rule of thumb, mangoes are only safe for healthy cats without underlying conditions like gum diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, or obesity.

Is Mango Skin Safe for Cats?

Cats can eat mango flesh, but can cats eat mango skin? In short, no. Firstly, mango skin is hard to chew, and a cat may choke on it.

Secondly, it will likely cause a gastroenteric upset because a cat’s body can’t digest it properly. In the worst-case scenario, mango skin can even cause intestinal blockage that can be fatal.

Thirdly, mango skin contains the toxin urushiol, also found in poison ivy. The element is dangerous even to people, often causing skin rash and other allergy symptoms.

However, the consequences of ingesting mango skin for cats are worse than skin rash. A cat may develop symptoms of severe poisoning, including vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, weakness, and lethargy.

If urushiol content and choking hazard aren’t sufficient to keep mango skin away from your cat, the fruit’s skin is full of pesticides that can also cause unpleasant adverse effects.

Although a little bit of mango skin is unlikely to have serious consequences, it’s better to be safe than sorry and remove the skin before feeding your cat mango.

How Much Mango Can a Cat Eat?

Any human food is only safe for pets in moderation. There’s no universal answer to how much mango a cat can eat without adverse effects because each cat’s body is different. However, we can calculate the maximum allowed mango serving size for cats.

Veterinarians recommend that treats don’t exceed 10% of a cat’s total daily calorie intake, which equals 22-30 calories per pound. Assuming an average cat weighs about eight pounds, the daily calorie intake should be 175-240, and treats should only account for 17-24 calories.

Mangoes contain approximately 17 calories per ounce, so a cat can eat about half a cup of mango. However, regular consumption of mango can lead to blood sugar levels increase, so the owner should also keep track of the carbs.

A cat’s diet should consist primarily of proteins and fats, and carbohydrates should account for under 20% of the total nutrient intake. Cats with underlying medical conditions may have to consume under 10% of carbs daily.

So, cats should only get about 35-50 calories from carbs daily. Check your cat’s food pack for the carbohydrate content and calculate how many more grams of carbs your pet can consume based on that information.

If you’re planning to give your cat mango for the first time, start with a tiny fingernail-sized piece and monitor your cat for any symptoms of allergy or intolerance.

Are There Any Benefits to Feeding Cats Mango?

Mangoes are generally safe for cats, but are there any health benefits to feeding cats mango? Mangoes are rich in fiber, vitamins A, C, and B-6, and potassium.

Potassium is essential for the proper function of a cat’s muscles and fluid metabolism. Hypokalemia, a condition when the cat’s body lacks potassium, can make a cat weak and unable to walk properly.

Vitamin A is integral for the skin, coat, muscle, and nervous system health, while vitamin C is essential for maintaining a cat’s immune system. Vitamin B-6 boosts the immune system and drives red blood cell production.

Lastly, fiber is responsible for the correct digestion. If a cat has fiber deficiency, it may suffer from chronic gastroenteric upset. So, mango is packed with nutrients essential for cats.

Some studies suggest that mango effectively prevents cancer and can even help cure the disease. However, the studies were conducted on rats, and we don’t yet know whether mangoes have the same effect on cats.

The caveat is that high-quality cat food already contains all the necessary vitamins and nutrients.

A cat shouldn’t lack any of these elements if it has a proper diet, so mangoes shouldn’t be a substitute for protein-based meals or specially formulated vitamin complexes.

Still, mangoes are an excellent treat for cats due to the relatively low calorie and fat content and extra dose of vitamins.

Possible Side Effects

Since the feline gastroenteric tract isn’t intended for digesting large amounts of carbs, stomach upset after eating mango isn’t uncommon in cats.

After feeding your pet mango for the first time, watch out for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating.

A cat may feel discomfort when you touch its stomach. Typically, the symptoms of food intolerance in cats occur within an hour of ingesting the fruit. In mild cases, the symptoms last for up to 12 hours and don’t require excessive treatment.

However, if the fluid loss is severe due to excessive vomiting or diarrhea, a cat may need to be administered intravenous fluids.

How to Spot a Food Allergy

Food allergy in cats is easy to confuse with gastroenteric upset because the symptoms are similar, but true food allergies are relatively uncommon.

Unfortunately, the only way to diagnose a food allergy in cats is by using the exclusion trial method.

Apart from gastroenteric upset, a cat may experience topical reactions like skin irritation and itchiness, excessive scratching, and ear infections. Possible respiratory symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, and sneezing.

Mild allergy symptoms don’t require special treatment, but in severe cases, a cat may develop asthma. Asthmatic attacks can be lethal, so the owner should seek veterinary help and administer the cat antihistamines.

Regardless of whether the symptoms are caused by a true food allergy or gastroenteric upset, the owner should refrain from giving the cat mango ever again. In the case of an allergy, the owner should also reduce topical exposure to the fruit.

Tips for Feeding Cats Mango Safely

Assuming you’re aware of the benefits and risks of feeding cats mango, follow safety precautions when giving your pet the fruit. Always wash mango carefully and remove the peel to prevent poisoning or choking.

Consult with a vet regarding your cat’s health state and the suitability of such a sweet treat. Calculate the suitable serving size based on your cat’s weight.

Cut mango into small, bite-sized pieces to make them easier to chew and digest. Don’t exceed the recommended serving size, and always keep an eye on abnormalities in your cat’s behavior or stool.

Don’t give mangoes to your cat if it suffers from diarrhea because the high fiber content will worsen the situation. Ripe mangoes are higher in sugars than unripe ones, but they are better for the cat’s digestive tract.

Why Does My Cat Eat Mango?

Not many know, but cats don’t have taste buds responsible for detecting sugars. Therefore, sweet taste certainly isn’t an answer to why a cat likes mango. More likely, a cat’s obsession with mangoes is plain curiosity.

However, some cats may like the texture or smell of mango. Mangoes also contain terpene myrcene that has relaxing and anti-inflammatory qualities, which may be extra attractive to some felines.

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