You might not think that your dog would be interested in eating fruits or vegetables. They’re carnivores, after all, why wouldn’t they want to munch on meat instead? But some people’s pets are actually fruit lovers who enjoy various plant-based treats as much as their owners do.

The most famous among these “favorites” are probably birds like parrots and pigeons, which love to eat figs. Other popular favorites include grapes, cherries, and raisins. Some even have special diets that consist almost exclusively of certain foods, including apples, bananas, oranges, carrots, lettuce, and peas.

Pets aren’t the only ones with an affinity for plants. People also favor leafy greens, crunchy veggies, and other types of food that don’t taste good raw. This preference may stem from our ancestors’ hunting habits when it was important to consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables while avoiding spoiled or rotten items.

It’s no wonder then that we still prefer the taste of natural over-processed foods today. In fact, studies show that children who grow up on organic products tend to choose more fruits and vegetables than those raised on conventionally grown produce.

And what about dogs? Do they prefer mangos to steak? If so, how do you get them to eat one? And how do you know if the process will work without killing them first?

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How to Grow Mangoes

So how do you determine whether your dog likes mangos enough to eat them? One way is to see if he shows any interest in mangos at all. Another clue is to take him to a park where there are plenty of mangos around. If he starts whining or barking when he sees mangos, chances are good that he’ll like them just fine.

If he doesn’t pay attention to mangos, though, this could mean that he has never had access to them before and is unsure of what they look or smell like. If your dog does seem to like mangos but isn’t ready to go full mango man yet, try giving him a small piece of one.

If he enjoys it, consider getting bigger slices and building up gradually. You should also give his old pal a little mango juice. Just make sure that it hasn’t been watered down too much since dogs can’t properly digest water. Don’t worry if you don’t have any mango juice available you can use orange juice instead.

But how exactly do you get mangos into the mouths of dogs? This depends largely upon two factors: size and location. A very large mango won’t fit inside a typical dog’s mouth, nor will a tiny morsel of one. For smaller mangos, you need to cut off the top and bottom (the peel) first. Then, using a knife or spoon, split open the skin and flesh near the stem.

Finally, run the point of the knife between the exposed pulp and the rind, cutting through the soft inner part of the fruit. Once you’ve done this, insert the blade under the opening and pull it upward. This will release the flesh into your hand. Now grab hold of the mango with your fingers, squeeze gently, and let it slide into your pet’s waiting mouth! If you prefer to feed your dog by hand, you can ask someone else to help you do this safely.

Now that you know how to get mangos into your dog’s mouth, keep reading to learn how to prepare them for consumption. Some experts recommend feeding your dog table scraps rather than whole food because they contain less fat and protein.

Also, some feel that feeding bones to your dog cause stress, especially if your pooch chews on furniture, carpet, or anything else made of nylon or polypropylene. However, others argue that if you provide nutritious food, your dog will develop healthy teeth and gums and won’t gnaw on everything in sight. ­

Preparing and Enjoying Mangoes

After figuring out how to get a mango into your dog’s mouth, you need to decide what to do with it next. There are several options. You can slice away the outer peel until you reach the juicy white flesh beneath. Or you can remove the pit, which you can discard, leaving behind the sweet, pulpy flesh.

You could also leave both the peel and pit intact. After you finish eating your mango, however, you shouldn’t throw its remains away. Instead, put them in a plastic bag and dispose of them along with the rest of your trash.

Next, you need to figure out whether you want to cook or freeze your mango. Many people think that freezing mangos makes them mushier, but the opposite is true freezing turns them firm again. To successfully freeze mangos, you must wash them thoroughly and dry them completely before slicing. Slice off the outside peels and pits, and place the fruit in freezer bags.

Label each one with the date and write the contents of the package on the bag itself. When you thaw frozen mangos, simply drop them directly into warm water and allow the excess liquid to drain.

Once you’re ready to eat your mango, remember that you can either eat pieces off the surface of the ripe fruit, or you can cut it lengthwise. Cutting crosswise creates sections of varying sizes, and this can affect how long the fruit stays fresh. Because mangoes ripen quickly once picked, eating pieces right off the surface means that your dog will likely eat the entire thing within hours.

On the other hand, if you cut a mango lengthwise, you’ll have chunks that are roughly the same size. These larger chunks will last longer, allowing your dog to eat a portion over time. Although you can store leftover mango in the refrigerator, eating a whole mango straightaway is easier and healthier. Plus, it gives your pup a chance to lick off the delicious sauce!

Many people like to serve mangos peeled and seeded. Others prefer to slice mangos in half horizontally and scoop out the central seed with a spoon. No matter what method you pick, it should be simple and easy to accomplish. Eating mangos is fun for humans, and your dog will love the taste, texture, and scent. As long as you follow these basic rules, your dog can happily chow down on mangos year-round.

A mango tree is a tropical evergreen tree that produces edible yellow fruit called mangos. Its leaves resemble lemons and its flowers resemble magnolias. The trees usually grow 20 feet tall and can live up to 350 years. The average mango weighs approximately 4 pounds and contains hundreds of seeds.

Bottom Line

Most commercial varieties of mangoes weigh about 1 pound each and measure 2 inches wide. They range from mild greenish-yellow to deep red in color. The flesh ranges in color from pale yellow to bright red. Each variety has different flavors and textures. Green mangos are the least fibrous and have thick, creamy flesh. Red mangos have thin, crisp flesh. Yellow mangos have a delicate flavor and are relatively rare. The largest mango ever recorded weighed nearly 15 pounds and measured 22 inches across.