I love mangos as much as the next person, and if your cat is anything like mine they’re always curious as to what I’m eating. I wondered, can cats eat mango? Is mango toxic for cats?
Is this healthy fruit safe for my cat to eat and can they benefit from all the nutrients a juicy mango contains?
Let’s find out!
Are you looking for the best kitten food for your kitty?
Can Cats Eat Mango | Answered
The short answer is yes, cats can eat mangos. Cats will often be attracted to the sweet smell of mango, and feeding them a small amount of mango won’t cause them any harm.
Mangos are not on the list of foods that are toxic to cats. While mango is safe for cats to eat keep it to a minimum, literally one small cube is enough.
If you didn’t know, most animals including cats have the ability to produce their own vitamin C and don’t require a large amount of fiber in their diet.
For us mere mortals, we need all the help we can get, and that’s why fruits like mango are essential to a healthy diet.
With that said, mango contains vitamins B-6 and vitamin A, which both us and our kitty can benefit from. These vitamins will help keep your cat healthy and therefore a little bit of mango is a good thing.
Keep in mind, good high-quality cat food is all they really need in their life, any treats should be just that, a treat!
Remember, cats are carnivores and have been for thousands of years. They can live a happy healthy life eating a meat-only diet. Introducing fruits or human foods into your cat’s diet is not recommended.
Feeding your cat too many fruits or salads can actually cause gastrointestinal problems, in simple terms too much fruit will cause diarrhea.
Do Cats Benefit From Eating Mango?
As mentioned, cats will get a small benefit from vitamin A and vitamin B-6 in mangos. But honestly, it’s hardly worth mentioning.
They may also benefit from trying something new to satisfy their curiosity. They usually only look towards eating something new when they’re bored with their current diet.
If you notice your cat constantly wanting to try new things, perhaps you should look into adding some variety into their diet. Try new meats or flavor of cat foods.
It’s entirely true that felines do not require any fruit to meet their nutritional needs. They get all they need from eating a pure meat diet.
I’d recommend reading this article on ORIJEN CAT FOOD if you’re looking for high-quality cat food.
How Much Mango Is Safe For Your Cat?
Before you decide to let your cat in on your fruity treat, make sure you don’t give them any bits of skin or the seed.
Most owners find that a single cube or roughly one tablespoon spoon size piece is enough. I wouldn’t suggest you give them mango more than twice a week.
Cats digestive systems aren’t designed to handle large amounts of fruit or salads. Mangos are also high in fructose also known as sugar.
Mango actually contains 3x the amount of sugar as a banana so take the less is more approach when feeding your cat mango.
The actual seed or pit of the mango contains a poison called cyanide. This poison can be extremely dangerous for your pet and could even kill them if ingested in high amounts.
What About Cats Eating Mango Ice Cream?
If you’ve ever eaten ice cream in front of your cat you know as well as I do they can’t seem to resist it. While it might be tempting to let them have a lick of your bowl, most vets will not recommend letting your cat eat ice cream.
As well as sugar, ice cream, of course, contains milk. Something cats aren’t great at digesting. If you didn’t know cats are actually lactose intolerant so that cheeky lick of ice cream can actually give them an upset stomach.
Now, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t allow my cat a little lick of the bowl once in a blue moon. If you do decide to let them have a lick, don’t let them clean the bowl and try to keep to an absolute minimum.
Do Cats Really Need To Eat Fruit?
The simple answer is no, all cats need are a high quality formulated cat food such as Hills Science Cat Food.
If you want to see a comprehensive review of the best kitten foods, you can check out the article linked.
Cats can indeed eat fruit and some cats will go mad for a delicious banana. That’s not to say they need it in their diet though. As you may well know, cats are carnivores by nature which means they can survive solely on meat.
Be careful with what fruits you allow your cat to eat as some are toxic for them. For a quick list of toxic foods for cats, you can check out PetMd’s article here.
Conclusion On Can Cats Eat Mango
So there you have it, cats can indeed eat the flesh of a mango. Never give them the pip as this is extremely toxic to pets and presents a choking hazard.
If you are going to give them a piece of mango, limit it to one or at the most two small cubes. Any more and you might be doing more harm than good.
Finally, don’t overdo it. Giving your cat fruit every day is not recommended by vets and can come at a risk.
If you are unsure, always consult with your vet before introducing any new foods to your feline.
FAQ’s
Are Mangos Poisonous To Cats?
Mango flesh is not toxic for cats. Mangos can be a vitamin-packed treat for your feline friend. With all pitted fruit, the pip of the mango does contain toxic cyanide and should be avoided.
Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter is not on the official list of foods that are toxic for cats. So, while they can enjoy some peanut butter, it’s not as simple as saying yes, you can read more about cats eating peanut butter here.