Can Dogs Eat Marshmallows?

GUEST POST by Heather Mayes from Can Dogs Eat Jelly Beans.

Marshmallows are among the most enjoyable comfort foods on the planet. The soft, squishy, and sweet delights go well with tons of food and drink items and even on their own!

You might be tempted to treat your pooch with one of them, so can dogs eat marshmallows? The answer depends mainly on the ingredients used in making them, but they’re generally avoided.

Most importantly, let’s find out about the safety of marshmallows and what to do if your dog swallows one.

Is It Safe for Dogs to Eat Marshmallows?

As previously mentioned, the answer to this question depends on the ingredients used in making the marshmallows.

Marshmallows are typically made of water, sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin. Technically speaking, all these ingredients are generally regarded as safe for dogs to consume, but that doesn’t make them healthy for your dog.

Ideally, if you’re sure about the safety of all the marshmallow’s ingredients, a single piece can be an occasional treat, especially to hide medications and pills inside.

However, if your dog shows signs of gastric upsets after eating them, you should avoid feeding them instantly.

Why Are Marshmallows Bad for Your Dog?

The fact that marshmallow’s main ingredients are safe doesn’t mean that they’re good for your dog.

You should keep in mind that they contain tons of sugars and calories, which can be very bad for your dog’s health and cause obesity as well as gastric upsets and bowel issues if they eat more than one piece occasionally.

Not only that, but store-bought marshmallows will typically contain a variety of additional ingredients, such as colors, flavors, and artificial sweeteners.

For example, xylitol, which is a very popular alternative for sugar in marshmallows, is extremely dangerous and toxic for dogs, even when consumed in very low doses.

Xylitol dramatically reduces blood sugar levels in dogs, which can lead to anything from liver toxicity to intense seizures and death in dogs.

For that reason, marshmallows are generally avoided because they’re never made of simple ingredients that are safe for dogs anymore.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats a Marshmallow?

First, you should check the bag of marshmallows to see if it contains xylitol. If you’re sure, call the vet immediately to seek their professional help.

Depending on your description, your dog’s vet might recommend that you safely induce vomiting at home or take your dog to a hospital to receive further medical help.

What Are Dog-Safe Marshmallow Alternatives?

If your dog has a sweet tooth, you can still treat them with other snacks that have a higher nutritional value all the while tasting great, such as:

•       Apple chunks
•       Watermelon
•       Mango
•       Strawberry

Wrap Up

There you have it! A brief guide that answers this popular question: “Can dogs eat marshmallows?”

As you can see, the answer greatly depends on the ingredients used in making these marshmallows, but since they have no true nutritional value, it’s generally preferred to avoid them.

Luckily, however, you can treat your dog to some safer alternatives that they’re going to enjoy!

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