Can Dogs Eat Marshmallows Safely? What Are The Dangers?

Marshmallows are often a seasonal favorite. You can roast them over a fire or add them to hot cocoa. While they may be magical for us humans, you may wonder if your dog would enjoy them. But can dogs eat marshmallows?

While they would probably love to get their chomps on some marshmallows, dogs can’t eat them safely. Some marshmallows can have ingredients in them that are bad for dogs. If they eat some, it can have adverse effects. 

Feeding your dog these human treats long term can be even worse. In this article, we’ll explain why marshmallows are bad for your pup and what you should do if they eat a bunch of them. It’s fantastic that you are looking out for your doggie to keep them healthy.

Why Marshmallows Can Be Bad For Dogs

While marshmallows have just a few essential ingredients, two primary components make them unhealthy to feed your dog. The regular ones contain a lot of sugar, and the artificially sweetened ones can contain xylitol, which is deadly for dogs. We’ll cover these ingredients in this section and explain why they’re bad.

Xylitol

In humans and in canines, the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas controls the sugar level in the blood. While consuming xylitol does not boost the pancreas’ capacity to produce insulin in humans, it does increase it in dogs. When dogs eat food containing xylitol, the xylitol is absorbed into the circulation more quickly than it is in humans, which may result in the pancreas releasing a substantial and possibly toxic amount of insulin.

Sugar

Dogs adore sweet things just as much as people, but sugar can cause problems for our four-legged friends. Sugar can cause dental decay, as it sticks to teeth and provides a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. In addition, sugar can trigger pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can be fatal. For these reasons, avoiding giving your sugary dog snacks and treats is essential. 

Pancreatitis 

In dogs, pancreatitis is an inflammatory reaction in the pancreas that can cause stomach pain and vomiting. The inflammation happens when an enzyme in the pancreas is turned on too early and in the wrong place, making it digest itself. When a dog shows signs of shock or depression, it’s not a good sign, as it could be a symptom of pancreatitis.

When treated quickly, most mild cases of pancreatitis have a good chance of improving. If the dog isn’t treated, however, it could get worse and become hemorrhagic, which can cause serious problems or even sudden death. This is the worst risk in short-term sugar ingestion in dogs. It can be a long hard recovery.

Long Term Issues For Dogs When They Eat Marshmallows

Even if you don’t feed your dog a large amount of sugar in one setting, adding additional sugar to their diet can cause several health concerns in the long run. In this section, we’ll go over three significant long-term effects that are frequently caused by giving your dog sugary treats. 

Obesity 

Obesity increases the risk of several other health issues. It is typically brought on by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, or when the dog consumes more calories than they can burn. Like when they get a hold of sweet treats. 

Additionally, obesity increases in frequency as dogs age, due to the natural decline in their capacity for exercise brought on by arthritis. So, for older dogs, it’s even more important not to frequently give them sugar. 

Weight Gain

There is solid scientific proof that fat tissue is metabolically active. It releases inflammatory hormones and puts the body’s tissues under oxidative stress, both of which can cause numerous diseases. 

Giving your dog sugar regularly might make them overweight, which can stress their joints and cause other issues in the future. Other problems that may arise include heart disease, joint issues, tiredness, and breathing difficulties brought on by the extra weight on the chest wall. 

Diabetes 

Too many carbohydrates can result in type 2 diabetes in dogs. Extra carbohydrates will result in excess sugar, and extra sugar causes diabetes. Likewise, obesity can contribute to type 2 diabetes. That’s correct: too much sugar makes dogs obese, and diabetes is brought on by obesity. In the US, 56% of dogs are overweight. 

There are various causes at work, but one of the reasons our dogs are developing diabetes may be because they are receiving excessive sugar in their diets. Numerous other physical processes will also be impacted if the dog’s body cannot use and retain sugar properly.

What to Do if Your Dog Ate Several Marshmallows 

If your dog eats many marshmallows, contact your veterinarian right away. If the dog consumed the marshmallows during the previous two hours, your veterinarian will likely decide to induce vomiting to avoid a prolonged gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, and an intestinal blockage. However, don’t induce vomiting without contacting a vet first.

Keep marshmallows and any other sugary snacks away from your dog’s reach. Drive your pup to an emergency animal hospital immediately if you suspect they have consumed something with xylitol, like sugar-free marshmallows. They might need to be hospitalized with medical supervision, because hypoglycemia and other significant adverse effects may not manifest for up to 24 hours.

Conclusion

It’s vital to remember that not all human snacks are good for dogs. Some of the most popular human snacks can be dangerous for our furry friends. If you’re looking for a healthy snack, instead of giving your dog a marshmallow, consider offering them a carrot or one of the many foods and treats designed specifically for dogs. 

Marshmallows are not safe for your dog to eat because of the risk of diabetes, weight gain, and other issues. Sugar-free treats can even be more deadly. If they eat only one regular marshmallow, they may be okay. 

Never let your pup get into your sweets, though, because the toll it can take on their health, even in the short run, will cause your dog pain and discomfort. Check out our other articles on dogs and what they can eat. Share this article with other dog lovers who could use this information!

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Lazy_Bear