Children can’t resist themselves when they see marshmallows. It can be because of their sweetness and taste, which are related to chocolates. In the same way, dogs also want to eat marshmallows because of their interesting colour and shape. Hence, their guardian may think, Can dogs have marshmallows?
Unfortunately, marshmallows are not a good snack to provide to dogs. Some marshmallows have ingredients that are toxic to dogs, whereas the safe marshmallows offer no nutrition.
If your dog is healthy and has no disease, you may treat him to one plain marshmallow without expecting any risks. That also includes your vet’s approval.
What Are Marshmallows?
Marshmallows are confectionaries that contain water, sugar, air, and gelatin. They look like solid cubes but are soft and fluffy. The general process of making marshmallows involves moulding them normally into a cube shape and coating them with corn starch.
When you touch a marshmallow, you will feel like you are touching foam. That’s why most people refer to marshmallows as aerated confections. Some ingredients in marshmallows are egg whites, sugar, corn syrup, fruit syrup, etc.
Can Dogs Have Marshmallows?
The ingredients used in marshmallows are not toxic to dogs. Yet, vets restrict dogs from eating them. Why? It is because of xylitol, a sweetener that is found in sugar-free marshmallows. This ingredient will lower your dog’s blood sugar level and lead to liver damage.
Not all marshmallows have xylitol. You can check their ingredient list. If you don’t find xylitol there, then it is safe to feed your dog, but not recommended.
Marshmallows have almost zero nutritional value. Such snacks are not good for dogs or any other pets.
Let’s say your dog is healthy and mature. In that case, he may eat one or two marshmallows that don’t have xylitol.
Why Can’t Dogs Have Marshmallows?
Marshmallows with xylitol are toxic for dogs, not plain marshmallows. But that doesn’t mean plain marshmallows are good for cats. They don’t offer any nutrition, rather side effects as they are full of sugar. Maybe you already know that sugar does no good to humans or animals. Its high consumption leads to multiple diseases.
Your dog is having marshmallows, which means he is consuming sugar, which can cause a lethargic crash. Also, the bacteria in sugar, named Streptococcus, can cause cavities or tooth decay. It has more side effects than you can expect. We will discuss them later.
In short, marshmallows are not good for dogs. Avoid them as much as possible for your canine friend.
Side Effects Of Eating Marshmallows For Dogs
As we can see, marshmallows are harmful to dogs, so we must be certain of their side effects.
When a dog eats a large marshmallow or too many small marshmallows, he is more likely to have a digestive blockage. To dislodge his GI tract, you must let him vomit after eating them.
Since dogs are curious and like to chew, they may want to eat more marshmallows after eating one. Eating too many marshmallows will make them overheat and gain weight, or obesity. Obesity can also result in diabetes, so limit your dog’s intake of all foods, not just marshmallows.
What Should You Do When Your Dog Eats Marshmallows?
Some plain marshmallows don’t contain xylitol, they can be safe for our canine friends. If you want to feed them to your dog, make sure the amount is small.
Dogs mostly face bad consequences from marshmallows that have xylitol and other artificial sweeteners. Again, eating more plain marshmallows, i.e. more than two, can also lead to adverse effects on dogs. If your dog eats two marshmallows or more, he may vomit and have watery diarrhoea. The same can happen if he eats xylitol including marshmallows. In such situations you must take help from your vet, he may suggest some medications or treatments.
Can Marshmallows Be Fatal To Dogs?
There is less chance for a plain marshmallow to cause death to a dog. However, sugar-free marshmallows with the toxic ingredient xylitol can be a reason for dogs’ deaths. Consuming this ingredient in large amounts can cause xylitol poisoning.
For puppies or small breeds, a small amount of xylitol can be fatal. Also, dogs that already have pancreatitis, hyperglycemia, and diabetes can die from a small amount of xylitol, including marshmallows.
Alternatives Of Marshmallows For Dogs
Don’t get upset because your dog can’t enjoy the flavour of marshmallows. You can opt for its alternatives. Since marshmallows mostly contain sugar, you may feed him some sugary snacks that will be both tasty and healthy.
For instance, you may feed him two to three slices of watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, mangoes, or frozen oranges. Hopefully, he will forget marshmallows and enjoy these treats.
Frequently Asked Questions: Can Dogs Have Marshmallows?
Do marshmallows have xylitol?
Some marshmallows have xylitol, and some marshmallows don’t. If you see, sugar-free marshmallows have xylitol instead of sugar. It is an artificial sweetener that can harm your canine friend.
What foods can be toxic to dogs?
Some specific foods can be toxic to dogs. Such as candy, avocado, apple seeds, chives, grapes, raisins, cherry pits, alcohol etc.
Can dogs eat sugar?
Dogs can eat sugar in a very small quantity, although it is not recommended. However, the fruits and vegetables have some natural sugar that is safe for dogs. Remember, the fruits and vegetables must be approved for dogs, so they can be safe for them.
Are marshmallows vegan?
Marshmallows have a key ingredient, i.e., gelatin. This ingredient is derived from animal protein, so marshmallows cannot be vegan.
Final Thoughts
After knowing the safety concerns of feeding marshmallows to dogs, you may still wonder, Can dogs have marshmallows? Well, the answer is yes, but with some consideration.
If the marshmallow has no artificial sweetener and your dog is mature with no disease, he may eat one marshmallow. But if the marshmallow has artificial sweetener, the answer is no. Besides, dogs with diseases and allergies or puppies can’t eat even one plain marshmallow.
To keep your canine friend on the safe side, don’t let him eat marshmallows. Instead, feed him some alternatives, like a few slices of apple, cantaloupe, or carrots.
