Marshmallows are not safe for cats to eat.
In fact, consuming them can lead to choking and even suffocation in some cases.
Marshmallows have little nutritional value for a cat to consume, and since cats lack the enzyme lactase, their ability to digest lactose is severely compromised. In addition, they may cause a rapid heartbeat and an increase in blood pressure that are harmful especially for pregnant and nursing females.
One last thing I’d like to stress here is this – NEVER Feed Your Cat Marshmallows!
Like a number of foods that you might or might not think are safe to eat, you have to think about the cat altogether.
If your cat is going to eat them, it’s no more of a concern than a cherry is better eaten than other fruits as they’re no more dangerous than other foods.
Can Cats Eat Marshmallows?
It’s not suggested that you feed them to your cat, and if you have always done so, please change this.
Even while marshmallows aren’t known to be harmful to any animals, it is best to not feed this treat to your cat because there are several reasons.
While the ingredients in marshmallows are not dangerous to animals, they do not have the nutrients that animal needs or deserves on a day to day basis.
Cats do not eat marshmallows because they have high sugar content.
This means that cats that are fed marshmallows will receive large amounts of sugar in their system and their body may not be able to process it as it would if they were fed a meat based product.
Why Are Marshmallows Bad For Cats?
Cats should avoid eating marshmallows year round but is especially dangerous in the colder months since cold temperatures increase the risk of frostbite or hypothermia if your cat is outside in slippery conditions after eating marshmallows.
Just as we would like to enjoy an abundance of delicious and nutritious foods, our cats should be able to enjoy the same benefits. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case and might even cause problems for our four-legged friends.
For your cat’s sake, as well as your own, you should avoid serving marshmallow treats to your cat at all costs and try to stick to healthy cat treats instead.
Carnivores by nature, cats must consume animal protein from the flesh of other mammals in order to thrive, which means she’ll simply grow bored with the thin gruel that makes up most pet or human-grade cat food.
Because of the high sugar content, your cat may rapidly gain an unhealthy weight and develop feline diabetes and dental disease if fed marshmallows on a regular basis.
Additionally, the salt content of marshmallows is rather high, and cats are unable to process that sodium the way humans can.
Mallows are not only unhealthy, but also highly addictive for felines.
A marshmallow’s size and shape might also attract cats to them and cause them to choke on a marshmallow treat.
Marshmallows are bad for your cats health because they dont provide enough nutrition for them to stay healthy. Cats need a high amount of protein in their diets, and marshmallows have very little.
They are also bad for your cat because of the sugar content and because they pose a choking hazard for cats of all ages. Sugar is something that any animal should not have in large amounts in their diets.
Because of this, they are generally considered a potentially dangerous treat for cats due to their nutritional value.
Also Read: Why Do Cats Like Crackers?
What Should You Do If Your Cat Eats Marshmallows?
The first thing to do if you suspect your hamster has eaten marshmallows is to check them over to make sure there are no wriggly lumps in their tummy which you can gently push a tissue into to make them digest.
Chances are they’ll be alright as marshmallows are mostly made of sugars and fibers.
To be on the safe side, the best course of action is to take the cat to the vet as soon as possible to examine them.
Conclusion
Many cat owners mistakenly feel that sometimes giving their cat a sweet treat will only be beneficial.
This is not true. Cats are obligate carnivores and should eat a diet primarily made up of meat.
This means they should not consume any carbohydrates, which are not necessary for their growth and overall health.
Mixed with meat, carbohydrates can provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber — all necessary for a cat’s nutritional health — but it is best to avoid them altogether since they are not vital in the cat’s diet.
Keep in mind that anything that can provide pleasurable stimulation to your cat is perfectly fine to give him, as long as they are safe.
Your cat may try a marshmallow out of curiosity, but most likely he will not divert his attention from his favorite snack and refrain from eating it.
Even if this were the only reason, marshmallows would be good to avoid any conflict over ownership of a few marshmallows.
On top of that, cats are lactose-intolerant, which means they produce fewer enzymes that digest milk products.
