Dogs and marshmallows don’t always mix. In fact, for most canines, these two items are a strict no-go. And If you’re like most dog owners, you probably give your pup a treat or two every day.
But Can dogs eat Lucky Charms marshmallows without any issues or side effects?
The answer is both yes and no, as dogs can eat Lucky Charms marshmallows, but in moderation.
Read on to learn more about the safety of giving your dog these sugary snacks.
Can Dogs Eat Lucky Charms Marshmallows?
Marshmallows and dogs are an unlikely pairing but Yes, dogs can eat lucky charm marshmallows in a small quantity as there are apparently no specific ingredients in Lucky Charms that are unsafe for dogs to eat.
And Lucky Charms marshmallows might be considered a tasty treat for your dog, assuming you give it to them in moderation.
Is this okay? Well, that depends on the ingredients used to make your specific brand of Lucky Charms.
Not all marshmallows are created equal, so not every type of Lucky Charms will be safe for your dog to eat. Be sure to check the list of ingredients on the box before offering your dog a bowlful of Lucky Charms marshmallows.
Are Lucky Charms Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Lucky Charms and other artificially colored and flavored cereals and treats aren’t recommended for dogs to eat.
When you take a bite of Lucky Charms, what you’re eating is mostly sugar, coloring agents designed to look like fruit, and some marshmallow bits.
Marshmallows that are safe for human consumption may pose health issues or risks when eaten by dogs.
It’s important to remember that while marshmallows in their pure form are considered safe for dogs, the artificial food coloring may make them hazardous to your pet’s health.
What Are The Key Ingredients inside marshmallows?
Marshmallows are made from sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, and hydrogenated oils. And As a result of their artificial colors and flavors, they often contain dairy, soy, and wheat ingredients that are known to cause digestive upset in dogs.
What About The Key Ingredients Inside Lucky Charm Marshmallows?
Lucky Charm Marshmallows are made with gelatin, hydrogenated vegetable oil, artificial flavor, and color.
And As you’ve learned so far, it’s the hydrogenated vegetable oil and artificial color that you’ll want to avoid giving your dog.
Are There Any Dangers Associated with Dogs Eating Lucky Charms?
As long as your dog isn’t eating Lucky Charms regularly and you offer it in moderation, there are no specific dangers associated with giving your dog a bowl of Lucky Charms marshmallows.
But if you were to offer your dog a bowl of Lucky Charms every day, there are some potential side effects that could cause problems.Some of them include:
Weight Gain
As with any sugary treat , giving your dog Lucky Charms marshmallows on a daily basis could cause it to gain weight.
This is because your dog will most likely eat the entire box of cereal rather than just a few marshmallows– which means it’s taking in a lot of extra calories.
Sugar Poisoning
If you’re giving your dog Lucky Charms marshmallows regularly, it could develop an intolerance for sugar.
This type of intolerance can cause stomach pain and even vomiting, depending on how large of a quantity your dog eats.
Tooth Decay
If you give your dog Lucky Charms marshmallows regularly, it could also be at risk for developing tooth decay or other dental issues.
Dogs that eat sugary foods on a regular basis are more likely to develop tooth decay because sugar increases the bacteria in their mouths.
Skin Allergies
If you’re regularly feeding your dog Lucky Charms marshmallows, it could also develop skin allergies.
This is especially true for dogs that already suffer from skin allergies or other sensitivities.
If this happens, your dog may have a difficult time fighting off any bacterial infections that come its way.
Digestion Problems
If you feed your dog Lucky Charms marshmallows on a regular basis, it could also develop digestive problems.
This is because sugary foods increase the number of bacteria in your dog’s gut, which can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.
Liver And Kidney Damage
Excessive sugar intake can cause problems for your dog’s kidneys and liver, especially if your dog suffers from diabetes.
This is because both of these organs are responsible for removing excess sugar from your dog’s system, so if it contains too much sugar, they can become overworked.
Heart Disease
Lucky Charms marshmallows could even cause heart disease.
This is because excess sugar intake can cause your dog’s blood vessels to stiffen and thicken over time, which can increase your dog’s risk of developing heart disease.
Is xylitol in Lucky Charms?
Yes, Xylitol is in lucky charms.
Xylitol acts like an artificial sweetener that’s commonly found in candy, gums, and baked goods.
If your dog eats xylitol, it can develop a condition called hypoglycemia, which is characterized by excessive thirst and urination.
You’ll also notice that your dog may be very tired and seem to stagger when it walks.
Is Lucky Charms For Dogs Gluten Free?
No lucky charms aren’t gluten-free and contain wheat and oat ingredients that contain gluten.
Gluten can cause serious health conditions in humans with celiac disease.
It’s important to remember that most dogs don’t have this disease, but they can still develop gluten sensitivities and allergies.
How To Tell If Your Dog Has Eaten A Lucky Charm Marshmallow?
If your dog has eaten a Lucky Charm Marshmallow, you’ll probably notice that it’s acting very lethargic.
This is because sugar is a type of drug for your dog, and it has just consumed a high dose. You may also notice that your dog is panting excessively or vomiting.
If you notice these symptoms, call your veterinarian as soon as possible to let them know what’s going on and to see if they want you to bring your dog in.
Your vet will most likely advise that you give your dog activated charcoal or induce vomiting depending on how much of the marshmallow they ate and how long it’s been since they ate it.
What Happens If A Dog Eats A Marshmallow In Large Quantity?
If your dog eats a large number of marshmallows, it could develop hypoglycemia.
This is because marshmallows contain very high amounts of sugar, which can cause your dog’s blood sugar levels to drop significantly.
Since marshmallows are hollow, the sugar (and the calories that come with it) in a large quantity may make your dog feel full and prevent him from eating critical nutrients, like protein and fat.
So if your dog eats a bag of marshmallows, you’ll likely have to induce vomiting at home and take him to the vet for a check up.
Can Marshmallows Kill Dogs?
If a dog eats Lucky Charms marshmallows, it’s unlikely to die.
However, eating too many marshmallows is not good for your dog and can cause life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, liver and kidney problems, heart disease, and obesity.
So if your dog eats a marshmallow or two from time to time, you shouldn’t have any problems. But if your dog eats a marshmallow every day, it may start developing serious health problems.
Should I Give Lucky Charms Marshmellow To My Puppy?
No, it’s not a good idea to give marshmallows to your puppy.
They can eat them, but they cannot digest them because their digestive system is not evolved enough to digest them.
So it’s a strong chance that you might end up with a very sick dog if they do manage to eat some of the marshmallows.
Alternatives To Giving Your Dog Marshmallows
If you want to give your dog a treat, it’s best not to give them marshmallows.
Instead, there are lots of healthy treats that your dog will love. Anything that is specifically meant for dogs or even just a tasty fruit will work.
Some of the alternatives include;
Fruit Cubes
Dogs love fruit, especially apples and bananas. As long as you make sure there are no seeds or peel in the fruit, it’s safe to give your dog some fresh fruit cubes.
One of the best things about giving your dog a fruit cube is that you can easily add some peanut butter on top. It only takes a tiny bit to make them even more delicious.
Dog Biscuits
Biscuits are a good alternative to marshmallows. You can buy special ones that are made for dogs or you can try making one yourself.
A great recipe is the peanut butter dog biscuit located here.
Of course, if your dog doesn’t like peanuts, feel free to use something else instead.
All you need is some flour, eggs, baking powder, peanut butter, and any other chosen ingredient to make your special dog treat.
Cereal Treats
Specialty dog stores sell cereal treats that are made for dogs only.
This means there shouldn’t be any marshmallows in them so they shouldn’t be bad for your dog’s health.
To find some, just check as many stores as you can until you find one that sells some cereal treats specifically made for dogs.
Frozen Yogurt
Dogs can eat this delicious ice cream treat just like you can. Just buy some vanilla frozen yogurt, scoop it out and freeze it until solid.
You can even add some fruit (such as strawberries) to make the treat even healthier.
Rice Cakes
If you want to give your dog a crunchy treat, rice cakes are a great choice.
You can buy them pre-made at specialty stores or make them yourself.
To make your own, just toast some white rice flour until it’s dry and crispy then let it cool down.
Dogs love the strange texture of rice cakes so they’ll absolutely love them.
Raw Veggies
Most dogs love raw carrots, broccoli or any other raw vegetables that you’d normally eat. Just make sure that they’re washed well first.
Meat
All types of meat are good for your dog, including chicken, beef, or lamb. Cook it and cut it into small pieces and your dog will love the treat.
Make sure you don’t give your dog too much meat since too much can be bad for their health.
Cheese And Tortilla chips
Just like humans, dogs love the taste of cheese and tortilla chips.
If you want to give your dog a treat that tastes like this, just buy some plain tortilla chips and sprinkle low-fat shredded cheese on them before baking or microwaving it.
Your dog will enjoy this tasty alternative to treats made with marshmallows.
Canned Pumpkin
Some dogs love this type of treat while others hate it. All you have to do is give your dog a tablespoon of canned pumpkin once in a while.
If they won’t eat it, try mixing it with something else.
Just ensure that your canine doesn’t have any allergies to any of these ingredients, and you’ll have a happy, healthy doggie in no time.
How Many Lucky Charms Should I feed My Dog?
Some malted barley-made lucky charms marshmallows are actually safe for your dog to eat, but you should still be very careful with how many you give them.
A few of the lightly colored mini marshmallows are fine but it’s best not to give them too much of any Lucky Charms.
It highly depends on their breed, age, and how much they weigh.
For example, small breed dogs should eat 2 to 3 marshmallows a day and larger breeds could have 4 to 5. ( Definitely no more than 5 though )
A bowl of cereal can be given to them if you want, but make sure to only give them the plain Lucky Charms and not the ones with chocolate or other added ingredients.
You can even mix some crushed-up marshmallows in with the cereal if it’s the only way to get them to eat it.
Just make sure you don’t give your dog too much Lucky Charms as it is very bad for their health and could lead to diabetes, obesity, and digestive problems.
What Cereal Is Good For Dogs?
Cheerios, Rice Krispies, and other low-fat cereals are generally safe for dogs.
You can even make a homemade treat by combining cereal with peanut butter, honey, etc., but once again be careful not to give them too much sugar.
If you’re going to give your dog a cereal treat then I recommend giving them Cheerios plain (with no added sugar please) as it’s the least unhealthy cereal.
Why Do Dogs Love Marshmallows?
Marshmallows are a favorite food of many dogs and for good reason, they’re sweet and soft.
Not all dogs love marshmallows, but many do. They’re usually safe for dogs to eat, as long as they’re not a choking hazard and don’t trigger a negative response in your dog’s body.
Conclusion
Marshmallows are fine in moderation, just like most other human treats.
They’re not exactly good for your dog but they usually don’t have any serious side effects either.
As long as you watch out for choking hazards or allergies, chances are that your dog will enjoy the occasional marshmallow.
I hope this article proved helpful to you. If you have any questions or maybe some advice for our readers, please leave a comment in the section below.
Welcome to my blog, where I share my love for all things canine! As an older lady who has spent a lifetime surrounded by dogs, I feel it’s important to share my experiences and the joy that these furry companions bring into our lives. From my first dog, a spunky little mutt, to the loyal and loving dogs who have been by my side throughout the years, each one has left an paw print on my heart. Through my blog, I hope to inspire others to appreciate the love, loyalty, and companionship that dogs bring. So come along on this journey with me as we celebrate the wonderful world of dogs!