Can Cats Eat Marshmallows? Vet Approved Nutritional Facts

Cats like to be given a treat every once in a while. It can be given as a reward or a distraction, or simply to cheer them up. But you cannot offer your cat a treat without making sure it’s suitable and fulfills their bodily needs.

Sometimes, we aren’t careful and end up giving the wrong thing to our pet. Though it’s not intentional, unfavorable consequences imply when we do so.

Many pet owners are curious to find the answer to this question: Can cats eat marshmallows? The answer is No! Cats cannot eat marshmallows as it is a chewy, sticky treat that can get stuck in their throat and make them choke. Moreover, a sugary treat is not their body’s requirement.

Whatever we offer our pets should be carefully decided based on their needs and preference. This article will clear up this confusion further by providing ample reasons too.

What are marshmallows?

Marshmallow is a treat enjoyed by many, children and adults alike. Small children love eating this treat as it is soft and gooey and sweet. That does not justify that it is a proper treat for your cat too.

If you curious what are the ingredients in marshmallows? The basic ingredients of a marshmallow include: sugar, gelatin and water.

Sugar is the key component as it makes the marshmallow sweet. The addition of gelatin is what gives it a chewy, gooey feeling and enhances its unique texture. Lastly, water is used to combine these two ingredients.

Are marshmallows safe for cats?

Marshmallows are not as life threatening for cats as one might think. It’s just that their bodies do not require this high sugar treat. So if something has no nutritional benefit, there is no point in giving it to your pet, no matter how much you enjoy it yourself. 

Since they are carnivores, cats benefit from high protein diet. There are several options of a treat that you can offer your cat, besides marshmallows.

To answer the question, ‘are marshmallows bad for your cats’, we will discuss some reasons in detail. Keep in mind these facts when you think of offering a treat to your pet.

The presence of high amount of sodium in marshmallows is unnecessary for your cat. It is always recommended to give your animals the food they can gain from, for instance, foods that are rich in protein and vitamin A. Absence of these things can cause serious health issues in cats, such as weakness in vision and heart problems.

If a cat takes in a small piece of marshmallow, it can get stuck in its throat very quickly, resulting in a choking hazard. This is something that must be avoided at all costs, as it can be life threatening.

Can kittens eat marshmallows?

It is advised not to give marshmallows to kittens as their digestive system is still developing and won’t be able to process this food. In addition, they can be more prone to choking on it as a marshmallow is quite chewy. So offering a marshmallow to a kitten can put its life at risk or cause a serious health condition.

Conclusion:

To conclude this discussion that can cats eat marshmallows, let’s say that giving it to your pet will not pose an instant harm, but can gradually develop some health problems if offered again and again. These problems include digestive and dental complications.

Cats are carnivores. They do not crave for a high sugar treat, neither does it provides them any health benefit. They require a high protein diet that has some portion of fat too. Choking hazard is also a major reason for not giving marshmallow to your cat. There are numerous cases of such kind mentioned on the internet where marshmallow had gotten stuck in a cat’s throat. It can lead to a serious medical emergency. Hence, it is important to keep the safety of your pet your top priority.

References:

• https://www.catster.com/nutrition/can-cats-eat-marshmallow/#:~:text=Although%20they%20are%20not%20considered,be%20a%20serious%20choking%20hazard.
• https://www.thewildest.com/cat-nutrition/can-cats-eat-marshmallows
• https://www.petcarerx.com/article/cats-and-marshmallows/3382