Can dogs eat marshmallows?

Updated 29/04/2024

Marshmallows might just be the perfect topper to a cocoa - melty and ooey-gooey, you just can't beat it. Then there's rocky road, brownies and puffed rice snacks - the list really does go on. And as such an indulgence in the world of 'people food', we wouldn't be surprised if the sugary pillows get your pup's snout twitching. But can dogs eat marshmallows? Or are they simply too processed for our furry friends to handle? You guessed it - dogs shouldn't eat marshmallows. Not only are they high in calories and packed with sugar and other ingredients of little to no nutritional value, many also contain xylitol - a sweetener that's highly toxic to dogs. For more on why marshmallows and dogs simply aren't a match, take a look below as we answer common questions from fellow pet parents on the topic.

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Are marshmallows poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat marshmallows at all? Or are all marshmallows seriously bad news for our furry friends? It's the latter - and some marshmallows are even poisonous to dogs. Why? Well the common sweetener known as xylitol is often used alongside or instead of sugar. Sadly, it's highly poisonous to dogs, and can result in a whole host of serious symptoms if ingested. For more on those, take a look below.

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Why are marshmallows bad for dogs?

So, now we've settled the question - can dogs eat marshmallows - let's get into why they're such a bad snack choice for our furry friends. Firstly, the common ingredient most harmful to dogs in marshmallows is xylitol - a sweetener found in many 'people foods'. So if you've come home to the marshmallow jar completely polished off, you should contact your vet immediately for emergency treatment.

And while not all marshmallows contain xylitol, none are of any nutritional value to dogs, and in fact contain a variety of ingredients that won't do your pup any good. The high calorie content in marshmallows is made up by the sheer amount of sugar in the recipe, alongside gelatin. And as you'll probably know, dogs shouldn't be consuming sugar, and doing so can lead to weight gain, obesity, and even diabetes. Plus the sheer amount of sugar in marshmallows could lead to more immediate symptoms of gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. So for all of these reasons, we strongly suggest you keep that marshmallow jar well out of paw's reach. 

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What to do if your dog eats marshmallows

So, dogs and marshmallows aren't a match, but what should you do if your pooch somehow managed to sniff them out and nab a paw-ful while you weren't looking? You'll need to contact your vet immediately - don't be tempted to wait for symptoms of toxicity or gastrointestinal upset to arise. Try to inform your vet roughly how many marshmallows you think your pup ate, alongside whether they contained xylitol (check the packet if you have it) - this might help them to decide on the best course of action.

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Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs

So as we’ve mentioned, many marshmallow recipes call for xylitol - a sweetener that’s used throughout the world of ‘human food’, and yet is highly toxic to dogs. If you think your pooch ingested something containing xylitol, don’t wait for the symptoms below to arise. Instead, contact your vet immediately as your pooch should be treated sooner rather than later to avoid symptoms escalating. Just so that you’re informed though, find the symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs below.

• Vomiting
• Decreased activity
• Staggering
• Ataxia
• Collapse
• Seizures

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Other sweets

Now we're all clear on the question - can dogs eat marshmallows - you might be wondering whether it's safe for your pup to tuck into any other sweet treats. Sadly it's a hard no on this one - sugar is bad news for dogs, causing vomiting and diarrhea in the short term, and obesity and diabetes in the long. If you're looking for snacks that your doggo can enjoy, instead opt for fruits or vegetables safe for dogs - they'll add nutritional value to your pup's diet without putting their health at risk.

Meet our veterinary expert, Hannah

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCV.

Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and worked in mixed practice for a few years before focusing on small animal work. Clinically, she worked in a busy, multi-center hospital practice until 2018, where she underwent training in advanced canine and feline dentistry and began working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. She then moved to a local independent practice to care for the pets nearby, allowing more time to focus on other career avenues, which include writing for a diverse range of pet websites, vet practices, drug companies, journals, and veterinary educators.

Other foods that are not safe for dogs

So now we've settled your query - can dogs have marshmallows - and you know your pup will need to keep their paws off, why not get clued-up on other foods dogs can't eat?

• Pecans
• Pickles
• Ham