Can dogs eat marshmallows? Marshmallows offer empty calories, so they are best left out of the canine diet. Sharing this human food with your dog should be avoided too, as most of its ingredients are unhealthy and dangerous to him.
Read on to find out what makes marshmallows damaging to your canine companion’s health.
Harmful Ingredients in Marshmallows to Dogs
Are marshmallows bad for dogs? Marshmallows are bad for your dog’s health since they offer no nutritional value. The ingredients used to produce this human food also add to the reasons why it should not be fed to dogs.
Let us examine some of the most common ingredients found in marshmallows and learn how they affect your furry friend.
1. Xylitol
“Can marshmallows kill dogs?” is often asked by many pooch lovers. Marshmallows containing xylitol can potentially kill dogs. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener commonly used as a sugar substitute. While it is safe for humans, it has caused severe poisoning in a number of dogs.
Experts have warned dog owners that it would only take a small amount of this sweetener to induce toxicity in canines. Ingesting 100 mg of xylitol per kg of body weight can result in dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Other clinical signs of xylitol poisoning to watch out for:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Lack of coordination
- Seizures
Large doses of xylitol will lead to more severe symptoms such as collapse, coma, and liver failure. Failure to seek immediate vet treatment can lead to loss of life.
Beware that xylitol is found even in sugar-free marshmallows, so always double-check the ingredients. This way, you do not need to worry about poisoning if your dog manages to eat a few fallen pieces of marshmallows.
2. Sugar and Corn Syrup
Are you still wondering: “Why can’t dogs eat marshmallows?” Another good reason to keep marshmallows away from dogs is their high sugar content.
Corn syrup and sugar are the other ingredients that provide a sweet flavor to marshmallows. Unlike xylitol, both of them are not toxic to dogs. However, this does not mean they are good for canine health.
Ingesting them in large quantities may give rise to several health issues in dogs, such as diabetes, obesity, dental cavities, and digestive problems. Frequent consumption of sugary treats like marshmallows can cause a sugar high, which can lead your furry pal to feel cranky when the effects subside.
3. Preservatives and Artificial Coloring
Trace amounts of preservatives are added to marshmallows to prolong their shelf life. If consumed in large amounts, they can potentially worsen adverse reactions caused by allergies or sensitivities in dogs.
Artificial dyes give marshmallows a wide variety of colors. They are not necessarily dangerous to dogs, but these chemicals can gradually have a negative impact on your pooch’s health when ingested excessively.
Health Benefits of Marshmallows to Dogs
Are marshmallows good for dogs? Marshmallows have no redeeming qualities. As we have pointed out earlier, they do not provide any valuable nutritional value to dogs. This human food is largely made up of sugar and calories with minimal amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Feeding your dog marshmallows gives him small doses of phosphorus, potassium, and selenium. The only beneficial thing these sweet treats can offer is to become handy alternatives to pill pockets. Their sticky interior makes them ideal hiding places for canine medications.
How Many Marshmallows Are Safe for Dogs
Many concerned dog owners ask: “Can dogs eat 1 marshmallow?” Eating a single marshmallow will not endanger your dog’s life if it is xylitol-free.
However, if your dog ate marshmallows in large amounts, this could bring about symptoms of stomach upset such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pains. In most cases, this condition will disappear within a few days. If your dog continues to have gastric distress after 48 hours, seek the vet’s help.
On the other hand, a dog that has ingested marshmallows containing xylitol is highly at risk of life-threatening poisoning side effects. Drive your pooch immediately to the vet and contact animal poison control if he begins to show signs of xylitol toxicity.
What Types of Marshmallows Are Less Dangerous to Dogs?
Can dogs eat mini marshmallows?
Dogs can eat mini marshmallows as long as they are xylitol free. However, we discourage you from sharing this human food with your dog since its high sugar and caloric content can be detrimental to his health.
Can dogs eat marshmallow fluff?
Xylitol-free marshmallow fluff will not cause serious harm to dogs when eaten. But this sweet treat can trigger tummy troubles since it is composed of many ingredients including sugar, corn syrup, dried egg whites, and artificial flavorings.
Can dogs eat marshmallow peeps?
Feeding your dog marshmallow peeps is not recommended. They are free from xylitol, but some varieties contain chocolate, which can cause toxicity in dogs.
Also, the high sugar concentration of marshmallow peeps makes them unhealthy for your furry friend.
Can dogs have Jet Puffed marshmallows?
Giving Jet Puffed marshmallows to your dog is not a good idea. Some of its varieties contain xanthan gum which can cause stomach upset if ingested in large quantities.
Moreover, chocolate is used as the main ingredient in other types of Jet puffed marshmallows.
Can dogs eat Lucky Charms marshmallows?
It is not advisable to share Lucky Charms marshmallows with dogs. These colorful sugary treats are made up of many artificial colorings, which can be bad for your pet’s health.
Can dogs eat marshmallows from hot chocolate?
Never give the marshmallows found in hot chocolate to dogs. Although a small dose of chocolate is unlikely to induce poisoning, it would be best to err on the side of caution.
Search for More Nutritious Options
Do not feel bad if you cannot share marshmallows with your beloved dog. There are plenty of better alternatives to this human food. Here are some healthy options you can mix into his dog food or give as a treat:
