Mangoes are difficult to refuse because of their irresistible golden yellow color, creamy, exquisitely smooth texture, and distinctive, rich flavor that is the ideal balance of sweetness and sourness. Just like you can’t resist it, your feline can’t also.
Cats are always curious about new things and will take a knee-deep interest in whatever you are snacking on; the same goes with mangoes; your mango pieces might pique your cat’s curiosity.
They might be eating mangoes just out of curiosity because cats can’t taste sweetness.
Cats have many food options, but the main question arises: Are mangoes safe for cats? The short answer is yes, mangoes don’t contain any toxic substances, and you can give cats a small number of mangoes as a treat. But before, giving them more regularly and significantly can harm the cats’ health.
Is Mango Good For The Cat’s Health?
Cats are carnivorous; unlike dogs, cat’s diet mainly consists of meat and cats biscuits which are enough to cover their nutritional needs; however, a little mango treat will not affect them in any way, and here’s why
- Mangoes are with nutrients that are good for humans; they contain vitamins A, C, and K and beta carotene. However, cats can synthesize their own Vitamin C, yet other vitamins present in mangoes can benefit them.
- Mangoes also contain potassium; potassium deficiency can lead to excess urination and metabolic issues in cats, so mangoes can benefit cats.
- Mangoes contain approx 83.4g of water per 100gram of fresh fruit. Many cat owners complain that their feline isn’t drinking much water, so a mango can help your pet keep hydrated.
- Mangoes also have dietary fibre; it may help with digestive issues like constipation and diarrhea.
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Health Effects Of Giving Too Much
- Carnivores
Cats are carnivores, and their diet mainly contains meats, fish, mice, and birds, so feeding them fruits (mangoes) can upset the cat’s digestive system and cause discomfort and diarrhea.
- High Sugar Content
Mangoes contain high sugar content, and too much mango intake can easily lead to weight gain and obesity.
Obesity and Weight gain in cats is a prevalent issue today; 50 percent of cats aged 5 to 11 years old weigh more than they should. 30-35 percent of cats in the population are obese.
The high sugar content can also lead to tooth decay.
How To Give Them Mangoes?
Here are some tips to follow before giving them mangoes.
- Wash the mangoes thoroughly because mangoes can have a lot of pesticides on them.
- Remove the peel of mangoes.
- Remove the pit from the mangoes because fruit pits can be dangerous for cats and could cause choking hazards.
- Cut and chop the mangoes into smaller pieces.
- For more safety, you can blend the mangoes to avoid choking issues.
How Many Mangoes To Feed Them?
Too much of anything will cause problems, and the same goes with mango intake; too much of it can lead to serious health issues; it is a recommendation to feed a few cubes, 1-2 tablespoons after every 4-5 days as a treat. This amount will not affect the cat’s health and can’t cause tooth decay or obesity.
Can I Give Them Dried Mangoes?
It’s better to give them fresh mangoes instead of dried mangoes or mango syrup because the sugar content in dried mangoes is higher. Also, there is the removal of water from the fruits in the drying process, chemicals, and the addition of preservatives to store them for a more extended period.
So a dried mango is not a good option because the fruit has lost its hydrating property, and its chemicals will cause health issues. Symptoms to watch after feeding cats mangoes for the first time.
After cutting and chopping fresh mangoes, it’s time to watch the symptoms of it, many cats with a sensitive stomach can show persistent symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting, and it is essential to consult with a vet at the earliest convenience. Many cats can also face choking issues if you haven’t cut the mangoes into smaller pieces.
What Other Fruits Can I Give My Cat?
If your cat doesn’t like the flavor of mangoes, and if you want to give them extra vitamins, you can try other fruit options.
Below are some fruits that you can give your cat as a treat.
- Apples
- Banana
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Seedless watermelon
- Cranberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
What Fruits Do We Need To Avoid?
Grapes and raisins are significant not to give to cats because they can lead to kidney failure in both cats and dogs. The reason why grapes and raisins are toxic for cats is still unknown.
Many veterinarians believe cats cannot digest tannins and other elements present in grapes, as these elements remain undigested. They build up in the kidney, which leads to kidney failures.
The symptoms after eating these two toxic fruits start 6-12 hours after eating; you will observe that your cat becomes lethargic or shivering, and gestational issues like diarrhea and vomiting begin.
After 24-72 hours, the condition will get only worse. Your cat stops developing anuric renal failure, a condition where toxic substances build up, urine production stops, and kidneys fail. And if left untreated, the risk of a more severe issue can occur.
Other fruits that can damage the health of cats are citrus Fruits; citrus fruits like persimmon, lemon, limes, tannins, and grapefruits can lead to stomach upset. Giving them citrus fruits in larger quantities can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and central nervous system depression.
Can Cats Eat Mango Ice Cream?
Ice cream is the most popular desert around the globe, yet some humans can’t enjoy it because they are lactose intolerant. And just like humans, all cats are lactose intolerant.
Cats are lactose intolerant due to a lack of lactose enzymes and can’t digest milk, Butte, and whipped cream in the ice cream.
A cat can take a bite of ice cream, but having it in significant amounts and on a regular or occasional basis can only lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. Also, ice cream contains more sugar, which might lead to obesity.
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Are Cats Lactose Intolerant?
We have seen kittens drinking milk as they were young because the essential nutrients a newborn kitten needs come from its mother during natural breastfeeding, and young kittens can digest it easily. But as they grow older, they lack the lactose enzymes and become lactose intolerant.
This change is due to their nutritional needs; when young kittens grow older, their diet will only consist of meat, fish, and solid foods. They need more enzymes to digest it, as milk consumption and lactose enzyme production reduce significantly.
Final Words: Is Mango Safe For Cats?
Larger consumption of anything will only lead to health problems. If given in moderation while carefully observing the do’s and don’ts, Mangoes and other fruits are not harmful and will improve your feline health.
Mangoes don’t negatively impact health, but avoiding giving them mangoes in larger quantities is a good idea. Although, if you want to give them a small amount of mango, remove its skin, and pits, and finely chop or blend it.
