Can Hamsters Eat Marshmallows?-All You Need To Know!
Marshmallows are a tasty confection made of sugar, water, and gelatin. They are a fantastic treat for humans, but what about hamsters? Are they safe for these little furry friends to consume? Hamsters, like humans, are omnivores, which means they can eat almost anything.
Can hamsters eat marshmallows? They absolutely should not. Marshmallows’ sugar content harms hamsters and can make your pet hamster sick. Because hamsters are prone to diseases like diabetes, feeding them marshmallows only worsens matters.
It is best to stick to the hamster’s diet rather than giving it sugary treats like marshmallows. Let’s take a closer look at why you shouldn’t feed marshmallows to your hamsters.
Can Hamsters Eat Marshmallows?
No, hamsters cannot eat marshmallows. Marshmallows are a sugar-based confectionery made out of sugar, gelatin, water, and sometimes vanilla extract.
The ingredients are boiled to create a spongy consistency and then set in molds to form the marshmallows. They are coated in sugar, corn starch, and gelatin to prevent collapsing.
From how marshmallows are made, you can see they contain high sugar levels, which hamsters cannot cope with. Hence you should not feed them to hamsters.
Marshmallows are sticky and can stick to the hamster’s teeth, causing tooth decay. The digestive tract of a hamster is also not made to digest too much sugar.
However, marshmallows are not poisonous to hamsters. If you find your hamster has accidentally nibbled on a marshmallow, do not panic. The issue is that hamsters tend to have a high appetite which could lead them to overeat the marshmallows in large quantities.
Do Hamsters Like Marshmallows?
![Do Hamsters Like Marshmallows](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Do-Hamsters-Like-Marshmallows.jpg)
Yes, hamsters like marshmallows. As I previously stated, hamsters are omnivores with a high appetite. Like humans, hamsters like sugary treats, and that includes marshmallows.
Marshmallows have close substitutes like marshmallow cream, fluff, and ear jet puffed marshmallows. They differ in ingredients, but you can use them for the same purpose.
So, can hamsters eat marshmallow fluff? The answer is still no; as much as marshmallow fluff and marshmallows are different, they both contain high levels of sugar, which can be dangerous to a hamster’s health.
If you are a new hamster parent, avoid feeding marshmallows or marshmallows cream/fluff to your hamsters.
Risks For Hamsters Eating Marshmallows
![Risks For Hamsters Eating Marshmallows](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Risks-For-Hamsters-Eating-Marshmallows.jpg)
There are several risks a hamster could face if it eats marshmallows. They include;
- Digestive problems: A hamster’s digestive tract is not adapted to processing sugary foods. So the hamster could start suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and increased urination.
- Obesity: If your hamster overeats marshmallows or sugary foods, it could become overweight, leading to diseases such as diabetes.
- Dental issues: Marshmallows are pretty sticky, so when your hamster eats them, the marshmallows stick on the hamster’s teeth. Sugar leads to tooth decay and gum problems. Too much sugar also affects the hamster’s throat.
- Change in appearance: The hamster could become more hyperactive, aggressive, or in some cases, become sluggish.
If your hamster has eaten marshmallows, try removing the sticky bits from its mouth as much as possible. You could use another treat, such as nuts, so that when the hamster chews on it, the sticky bits will transfer to the nut.
What To Do If Your Hamster Eats Marshmallows
![What To Do If Your Hamster Eats Marshmallows](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/What-To-Do-If-Your-Hamster-Eats-Marshmallows.jpg)
If you find your hamster nibbling on a marshmallow, take it away from the hamster. Then, discern how much it has eaten, and if it is just a little bit, there is nothing to worry about. Just ensure you remove all the marshmallow goo from the hamster’s teeth.
If you find out that the hamster has eaten more than one, take it to a veterinarian. High sugar levels are detrimental to a hamster’s health, so ensure a vet examines your hamster.
As a hamster parent, do not leave any marshmallow crumbs on the floor. Lock the marshmallows in a drawer. Also, tell young kids in the household the dangers of feeding marshmallows to hamsters.
Are Marshmallow Roots safe for Hamsters?
![Are Marshmallow Roots safe for Hamsters](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Are-Marshmallow-Roots-safe-for-Hamsters.jpg)
Marshmallow roots are not the same as marshmallows. They are classified as herbs, come from a marshmallow plant, and look like brown husks. All the parts of the marshmallow plants are edible. The marshmallow roots are known for their mucilage content.
Mucilage is a sap that is in the roots of marshmallows. It was used to manufacture marshmallows in the past, which is how the confection got its name. However, nowadays, it has been replaced by sugar and gelatin.
So, can hamsters eat marshmallow roots? Yes, they can. Marshmallow roots are known to improve the functionality of the kidney, and the mucilage from the roots coats the digestive tract, relieving conditions such as ulcers.
Here is what you should do when feeding hamsters marshmallow roots.
- If you have never fed marshmallow roots to your hamsters, you should start slow to help them adjust to the herb.
- You could serve it together with its regular diet, preferably vegetables.
- Do not give the marshmallow root to the hamster consistently. Break between the days,e.g., feed for two days, skip a day, and provide it for the next two days.
- Once the hamster is used to mushroom roots, there is no harm in feeding it daily.
Marshmallow roots are very beneficial to hamsters’ immunity system. Other benefits include;
- They have properties that aid in strengthening a hamster’s respiratory system.
- They have anti-ulcers properties.
- They also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Alternatives of Marshmallows That Are Safe For Hamsters
![Alternatives of Marshmallows That Are Safe For Hamsters](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Alternatives-of-Marshmallows-That-Are-Safe-For-Hamsters.jpg)
Some healthy alternatives for marshmallows are;
- Nuts and seeds; pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds.
- Fruits; apples, watermelons, berries.
- Vegetables; cucumber, squash, broccoli, cauliflower.
- Grains; rice, oatmeal, wheat crackers.
- Commercial hamster feeds.
- Hay and dry treats.
- Proteins; lean meat, eggs, grasshoppers, crickets.
- Herbs; peppermint, marshmallow roots, comfrey e.t.c
Point to note: ensure you clean your vegetables and fruits before serving them to your hamsters. Some of them contain pesticides that can be toxic to your hamster.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Marshmallows?
![Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Marshmallows](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Can-Dwarf-Hamsters-Eat-Marshmallows.jpg)
Dwarf hamsters differ from regular hamsters because they grow to only 2-4 inches. They require the same care as ordinary hamsters. However, they are very prone to diabetes, and you should ensure that you feed them foods that keep their blood sugar at optimal levels.
So, can dwarf hamsters eat marshmallows? No, dwarf hamsters should under no condition be given marshmallows. Marshmallows have a very high sugar content which is hazardous to dwarf hamsters.
Video of Hamster Eating A Marshmallow
Here is a video showing a hamster nibbling on a marshmallow.
Related Questions
Here are other questions related to whether hamsters can eat marshmallows.
Can Marshmallows Make Hamsters Gain Weight?
They most certainly can. Eating a lot of marshmallows may cause your hamster to gain weight. Obesity causes diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Instead of marshmallows, feed them vegetables, fruit, and dry food such as hay.
Can Hamsters Die From Eating Marshmallows?
No, eating marshmallows will not kill a hamster. Marshmallows are not toxic to your pet hamsters, but eating too many marshmallows can be dangerous. High sugar levels cause obesity, digestive issues, tooth decay, and diabetes.
How Do I Know If My Hamster Ate Marshmallows?
Examine the hamster’s droppings. Marshmallows have a sticky texture and a pink or whitish color, making them easily identifiable in poop. If you discover your hamster has eaten marshmallows, immediately take them to a veterinarian.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, hamsters should not eat marshmallows. Marshmallows contain high sugar content, which harms your hamster’s health. Sugar can make your hamster obese and develop other health complications such as diabetes and tooth decay. Feed your hamster healthy treats such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods such as commercial hamster feeds, proteins, grains, nuts, and seeds are also suitable for your hamster.
I hope this article has answered whether hamsters can eat marshmallows — all the best with your little furry friend.