At your cozy campfire, you’re having a hot chocolate latte and cooking marshmallows. There is something that your cat is curious about: the marshmallows that you keep putting in your mouth. You want to give it to her, but then you think, “Can cats eat marshmallows?”. Well, you are at the right place; read below to find the answer.
Can Cats Eat Marshmalllows?
In short, No! Your cat should not eat marshmallows since they not only have no health benefits but also carry risks for your cat. Marshmallows are not even good for us, humans, and they are definitely not suited as a cat’s treat.
Can Cats Eat Mini Marshmallows?
Mini marshmallows are easier to chew and swallow, contain less sugar than regular marshmallows, and are less likely to choke on. However, this still does not make them any safer for your feline friend when there is still no health benefit to them.
The list goes on and on: mallow twists, mallow candy, chocolate-covered marshmallows (for various reasons), micro mallows, colored mallows. All in all, no marshmallows for cats!
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Is Marshmallow Root Safe For Cats?
Originally created from marshmallow root extract, marshmallows are now made with gelatin and corn starch. Surprisingly, marshmallow root can be useful for cats, but only rarely.
Marshmallow root is a good source of calcium, iodine, iron, pantothenic acid, salt, vitamin A, and vitamin B-Complex. Marshmallow root can also help relieve inflammation and drain the kidneys of bladder contents. Finally, the mucilage of marshmallow root acts as a barrier for the bladder lining.
While marshmallows aren’t good for cats, marshmallow root can be quite beneficial, though it’s best to consult your vet first regarding dose and side effects.
Why Marshmallows Are Bad For Cats?
While marshmallows are not toxic to cats, there are a number of reasons why this sugary treat should not be given to them.
- No Health Benefit: Overall Marshmallows offer zero nutritional benefit to your feline friend
- High Sugar Content: According to Nutritionix, a single regular marshmallow contains 4.1 grams of sugar. This is a lot of sugary offering for your pet cat. Besides, cats cannot even taste any type of sugar content in it.
- High Amount of Calories: Again considering the nutrition label by Nutritionix, marshmallow comes packing with 23 calories, which can affect your cats nutritional balance negatively. A typical pet cat consumes 200-300 calories each day and feeding her a regular marshmallow daily will cause obesity.
- High Sodium Content: Surprisingly, marshmallows have a high sodium content. One regular-sized marshmallow has 5.8 mg of sodium, which is quite high given cats’ low sodium tolerance.
- Choking Hazard: Marshmallows are not allowed for children under the age of three because they can get stuck in their throats and provide a choking risk. This can happen to your cats as well.
What Should I Do If My Cat Eats Marshmallows?
If you find your cat eating marshmallows, make sure they aren’t choking. If they are, contact your emergency veterinarian immediately and follow their recommendations.
If your cat does manage to grab a mouthful of marshmallow, don’t panic; the candy isn’t toxic to cats, so simply take the sugary treats away and don’t let it happen again.
Wondering can your cat eat other sugary food items? The why not read Can Cats Have Ice Cream? Can Cats Eat Vanilla Ice Cream? or click the image below
Wrapping It All Up
To put it frankly, marshmallows are a sweet treat that your cat should not get. Marshmallows are bad for your cat’s health. These treats provide no health benefits for them. You, too, eat sugary snacks for fun rather than for nutrition. Marshmallows are clearly junk food for cats as well. Remember that cats have no reason to eat marshmallows because they don’t even sense the flavor.
It is always better to consult your vet first before feeding anything new to your feline friend.
