Today’s spotlight turns its attention to Peaches & Herb, two French Bulldogs who seem to love everything and anything. No matter how hard you try, they seem to seize something from the picnic table, often without you even noticing. What if it’s mango? Can French Bulldogs eat mango?
The happy answer is yes. Don’t fret. While French Bulldogs should only eat mangos in moderation, the fruit is a good snack. It’s high in fiber, vitamin A, B6, C, and vitamin E. So there’s plenty of nutrition in a morsel. While you’re at it, snag a bite or two for yourself.
It’s true, Peaches and Herb can be picky eaters. But when they like something, beware! They become very determined to get to that prize (and don’t be surprised if they become cohorts!). Gobbling up Mango may lead to an upset tummy or diarrhea, but rarely does it become a serious problem.
Mango Dangers
Before giving your Frenchy any mango, peel and pit it. Skins are hard to digest and the pits are choking hazards. If it’s the first time you’re treating Peaches with mango, start out slowly. You want to monitor her reactions in case of an unknown allergy.
Beyond this, certain dogs should avoid mangos altogether. If your Frenchie is diabetic, mango can create a sugar spike. For an overweight dog, mangos have 70 calories in just ¾ cup. Finally, for dogs with kidney disease, the starches and phosphorous in the mango can be harmful.
Other Safe Fruits for French Bulldogs
Mango isn’t the only thing on the “safe” list for Herb’s consumption. Other fruits you can give him include
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Oranges
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Fruits to Avoid
It’s always a good idea to check about anything you’d like to share with your Frenchie. Some fruits can be deadly. For example, avocados cause Frenchies to have diarrhea and vomit. Cherry pits are unsafe because they contain cyanide. Grapes may cause kidney failure (this includes raisins). Finally, while you might not think of it as a fruit (it is), the green parts of tomato plants are toxic for your pup.
Mango Is Safe For French Bulldogs
When mangos arrive fresh and sweet at the market, it’s a wonderful sign of summer. The best part is that you can share the lush flavor of mango with Peaches and Herb. Mango is safe for French Bulldogs. It is also good for them, and they’re likely to enjoy the flavor.
You don’t want to offer mango all the time, however. It’s loaded with fiber, which isn’t something dogs eat in high quantities. It can cause digestive issues. So, it’s best to mix it up. Have different treats for different days.
Whenever you give Peaches and Herb items other than their regular chow, make sure it constitutes only 10% of their daily caloric intake. The rest, no matter how much they pout, must come from kibble.
Is Mango Good For French Bulldogs?
Now you know that when Herb snatches a piece of mango from you, it’s safe. You have little, if anything, to worry about. That said, are mangos GOOD for French Bulldogs? The answer is a resounding yes.
Mango Benefits for Frenchies
Mangos have benefits for Peaches beyond being a nifty snack. Examples include
- High fiber content
- Considerable proteins and minerals
- Packed full of antioxidants like beta-carotene
- A hardy vitamin list: B, B6, C, E, and A, which supports healthy skin.
- Settling tummies (small amount)
- May alleviate constipation
Looking more closely, Vitamin A helps prevent cataracts in older dogs. The antioxidants boost her immune system for overall defense against things like allergies. The potassium is good for Peach’s muscles.
Mango Pit
So, you’re preparing some mango for Herb. The pit, being slippery, slides out of your hands and onto the floor. Herb swallows it down before you can even move. Should you be worried? Perhaps.
While Herb might be able to swallow the pit, he may not be able to successfully move it through his intestines. The longer the pit remains in Herb’s body, the more it gives off a chemical that eventually turns into cyanide.
You can try to get Herb to vomit out the pit by using salt. Place a half teaspoon on the back of his tongue. It may take up to 5 minutes for you to see regurgitation. If that doesn’t work, you can try again. Another unsuccessful attempt means it’s time to go to the vet.
Your vet may attempt inducing vomiting again, which is the least intrusive way of fixing things. Before that, however, the vet uses an x-ray to find the seed. If it resides in Herb’s belly, it will have to be retrieved through endoscopy. If the pit reached Herb’s intestines, surgery is required.
Mango Skin
Mango skin isn’t quite as scary, but it’s still not good for your French Bulldog. The skin of the fruit contains a component found in poison ivy. This component can produce a rash on his lips and in his mouth.
Mango skin is rubbery, difficult to chew, and hard to digest. It can cause vomiting and intestinal blockage.
Preparing Mango For French Bulldogs
After you consult your vet about giving Peaches and Herb mango, now it’s time to prepare the fruit for your dogs. Here are some tips.
- As mentioned before start out with only a small bite. Watch to make sure your pooch doesn’t have an allergic reaction.
- Make sure to peel the skin and remove the pit.
- Avoid dried mango because it’s generally high in sugars, and has less nutrition.
- Cut the mango into bite-size cubes, about ½ “ square. Freeze them and provide a few when the weather gets hot (a puppy popsicle!).
- Mince the mango and sprinkle it on top of the kibble.
- Mix the mango with peanut butter to make doggie cookies.
- Puree into cottage cheese for an upset stomach.
- Make mango-bananna sorbet
Mango Portion Size For Frenchies
As with any other snack, professionals recommend that you provide only 10% of Peaches and Herb’s caloric intake through goodies. One quarter cup weekly is acceptable. The rest should come from their regular food.