You catch your dog trying to eat marshmallows during your s'mores fest. He’s pawing and chomping away. But waaait! Are marshmallows even safe for dogs? Well, your hound might be hungry for some squishy-sweet marshmallow treats, but let’s go over the potential risks that go with feeding marshmallows to your dog.

We'll cover:

• The concerns around sugar and your dog

• Xylitol poisoning

• The risks of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners

• Choking

• Burns from toasted marshmallows

• What to do if your dog eats marshmallows

The last thing you or your dog wants is a trip to the emergency vet. But if your pup needs us, your emergency veterinary staff at VEG ER for Pets are here for you around the clock, even on weekends and holidays. Now let's look at some facts about dogs and marshmallows.

Can I feed my dog marshmallows?

Plain, regular marshmallows without sugar substitutes are not technically toxic. They’re mostly sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin. But while these puffy lumps of spun sugar are a favorite of humans, they’re not so Fido-friendly.

Just as you wouldn’t spoon-feed your dog straight from the sugar bag, it’s not a good idea to pop marshmallows into your begging beagle’s mouth either.

Sugar and your dog

High sugar intake in dogs, especially on a regular basis, can lead to various health issues. These health problems can lead to more severe and complicated conditions that impact quality of life for your dog (and for you as his caretaker). Think of it this way: maybe one tiny treat won’t spoil your spaniel, but what happens when your doggo starts to expect his share of your candy stash? That’s when it can affect your canine’s health.

Sugar-related health concerns for your dog:

• Dental problems

• Diabetes

• Weight gain/obesity

• Pancreatitis

If you can keep sugar off-limits to your dog, you’ll be doing him a great favor in the long run. He won’t think of marshmallows and other sugary snacks as foods meant for him. And he won’t associate treat time with sweets.

Best of all, you likely won't have growing veterinary health issues related to sugar intake to worry about as your dog ages.

Marshmallows, especially low-sugar or sugar-free, do pose health risks for your dog. Call VEG ER for Pets, open 24/7, if your dog ingested marshmallows.

Dogs and artificial sweeteners: why dogs should never have xylitol

Many sugar-free marshmallow products contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is extremely toxic to dogs. Xylitol is commonly found in sugar-free, low-sugar, or keto-friendly products like gum, candy, marshmallows, and even peanut butter.

Xylitol and dogs: health risks

Never give your dog products with artificial sweeteners, like xylitol. Hypoglycemia and liver failure are two of the biggest risks if you keep sugar-free marshmallows or other treats around that your dog could potentially get into.

Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include:

• Coordination loss

• Rapid drop in blood sugar level

• Seizures

• Vomiting

• Weakness

Symptoms of xylitol poisoning may be delayed

Symptoms can begin as quickly as 30 minutes after ingestion, though some dogs may not show signs for several hours. A dog may appear normal at first and then suddenly deteriorate.

Immediate veterinary care is crucial to managing xylitol poisoning effectively. If you’re pretty sure or even think your dog ate sugar-free marshmallows, take him to your nearest VEG dog hospital for emergency vet care immediately - and bring the packaging with you if possible.

A word about artificial sweeteners and your dog

While aspartame, erythritol, sucralose (Splenda), and Stevia are not considered toxic to dogs, if ingested in high quantities, gastrointestinal upset like vomiting and diarrhea may occur.

Bring your dog in to any VEG emergency animal hospital if they've ingested anything with xylitol and call VEG and speak with a vet if your dog has ingested any other artificial sweetener.

Why dogs should not eat marshmallows

You might question a few things before giving your dog marshmallows. Aside from their sugar content or additions of artificial sweeteners, marshmallows pose other dangers to your dog.

Can marshmallows cause choking in dogs?

Short answer: yes. Marshmallows are sticky and compressible, which means they can:

• Become lodged in your pup’s throat

• Stick to the roof of their mouth

• Create partial airway obstruction

• Contribute to gastrointestinal blockage if eaten in large pieces

Signs of choking or obstruction include:

• Gagging or retching

• Pawing at the mouth

• Excessive drooling

• Difficulty breathing

• Repeated unproductive vomiting

• Refusal to eat

Difficulty breathing is an emergency. If your dog is choking on a marshmallow, seek immediate veterinary care.

Can my dog eat a toasted marshmallow?

No. Think: burns and thermal injury. When marshmallows are toasted, their internal temperatures reach over 150ºF and that heat helps make chocolate bars all melty when making s’mores! However, because of their gooey adhesive properties, coupled with how quickly dogs try to gobble up treats, it can lead to dermal or full-thickness thermal injuries in their mouth or esophagus.

For the purposes of this article, we'll discuss marshmallows, but if your dog has eaten that campfire treat s'mores, know that your pup is facing an additional risk of chocolate toxicity. You can read about dogs and chocolate here.

Signs of dog eating a toasted marshmallow:

• Discomfort/pain

• Blisters around muzzle and inside mouth

• Reluctance to eat food afterwards

• The need for pain medication or local wound care

Note: never give your dog pain medication.

Consult your primary care veterinarian for dog's pain, or call VEG emergency animal hospital if after hours. Our vets are always available 24/7 to answer your medical questions.

VEG ER for Pets is open 24 hours every day, even weekends and holidays, to provide prompt, compassionate care for all pets.

What to do if your dog eats marshmallows

If your dog consumes marshmallows, look at the packaging to see if xylitol, or any other artificial sweetener like aspartame, is an ingredient. If it is, you’ll be bringing your dog into your nearest VEG dog hospital, where our 24-hour emergency veterinarians will help. Noting your dog’s size and how many marshmallows you think he may have eaten will help the vet figure out how to treat your pup.

Signs to watch for after dog eats marshmallow

If an artificial sweetener is not an ingredient, monitor your dog for signs of distress, as discussed earlier in this article.

Identifying symptoms of distress in dogs

• Collapse

• Diarrhea

• Lethargy

• Seizures

• Stomach upset

If you spot any of these in your dog after he accidentally ingests marshmallows, call your nearest VEG animal emergency hospital and let us know you’re coming in.

What emergency treatment may involve

Depending on the situation, emergency care may include:

• Blood glucose monitoring (for xylitol exposure)

• IV dextrose to stabilize blood sugar

• Liver enzyme monitoring

• IV fluids

• Anti-nausea medication

• Pain control

• Hospitalization for pancreatitis

• Airway assessment if choking is suspected

Prompt treatment can help prevent life-threatening complications.

Dog ate a marshmallow? VEG ER for Pets is open 24/7 to help! 

When it comes to potential toxin exposure, it’s always better to be cautious. If something feels off - or if you’re unsure what your dog ate - emergency veterinarians are here all day and night to help. Quick action can be the difference between a minor issue and a severe complication, and VEG ER for Pets is equipped to handle such emergencies.

We offer prompt assessments and treatments to help your dog recover after eating something he shouldn’t have that may harm his health. Trust VEG’s veterinary professionals to guide you and administer medical care to your dog at critical moments like this.