Can Cats Eat Marshmallows? Best Avoided, Here's Why

Why marshmallows are a poor treat

Cornell's Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Their natural diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. A marshmallow is mostly sugar and air, so it gives a cat calories without any of the nutrients it is built to use.

Cats also do not need the reward. If your cat steals a roasted marshmallow at a campfire, one is unlikely to be a crisis, but it should not become a habit. A cat puzzle feeder offers a healthier way to make snack time feel special.

The xylitol question

Always read the label on anything labeled sugar-free. Pet Poison Helpline lists candies, gelatin snacks, jams and syrups among the products that can contain xylitol, and says enough xylitol can cause life-threatening low blood sugar and acute liver failure. Its page is written about dogs and has no cat-specific information.

Because the effect on cats is not well documented there, the sensible approach is caution: if you suspect your cat has eaten a xylitol product, contact a veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline as soon as possible. Keep the packaging, because the ingredient list matters.

Chocolate, s'mores and flavored versions

Many marshmallow treats are not plain. S'mores pair marshmallow with chocolate, and chocolate is a well-known danger to pets. Candy-coated, cereal-bar and holiday versions can include chocolate, nuts, food coloring and other additions you cannot easily check.

The ASPCA also warns that fatty nuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea and potentially pancreatitis. If your cat got into a s'mores platter, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435; a consultation fee may apply, and have the ingredient list ready.

Choking and sticky texture

Marshmallows are soft, but they are sticky and can stick to the roof of a cat's mouth or lodge in the throat, especially if swallowed whole. Mini marshmallows are small enough to be swallowed without chewing, and a large one can be a plug for a small cat.

Never hand a kitten or a senior cat a marshmallow. If your cat is gagging, pawing at its mouth, drooling or struggling to breathe, that is an emergency, and you should go to the nearest emergency vet immediately.

Sugar, weight and diabetes

Cornell calls obesity the most common nutritional disorder in domestic cats, and says it can worsen osteoarthritis and diabetes. It also advises that treats should not exceed roughly 10 to 15 percent of daily calories. Sugary treats use up that allowance quickly while leaving a cat no better fed.

If your cat is overweight or has diabetes, skip marshmallows entirely and ask your vet which treats suit its diet. A scheduled meal routine and a little play with a wand or cat toys give attention without the calories.

If your cat ate a marshmallow

For one plain marshmallow, remove any more, offer water and watch for vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy over the next day. Most healthy cats will be fine, but call your vet if signs appear or if you are unsure what was in it.

Call right away if the marshmallow was sugar-free, chocolate-covered or part of a mixed treat, or if your cat is vomiting repeatedly, weak, wobbly or has tremors. For emergencies, go to the nearest emergency clinic.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.