Marshmallows are a favorite for kids and adults all over the world but should be kept away from hamsters. If your little guy has accidentally helped himself to as much of this candy at home, that could spell trouble for everyone.

Can hamsters eat marshmallows? Marshmallows are bad for hamsters due to their high corn starch, sugar, and gelatin content. Excessive sugar in marshmallows can cause stomachache, obesity, and diabetes in the long term.

Occasional treats may be a great way to build a strong bond with your hamster. But sweets such as marshmallows and other types of candy can do more harm than good for the pet rodent’s health in the long run.

Can Hamsters Eat Marshmallows?

Avoid feeding marshmallows to hamsters under any circumstances because the little pocket rodent has nothing to gain. Sure, he may enjoy it in the interim but the negatives can outweigh any temporary pleasure.

There are a ton of healthy treats hamsters can equally enjoy so why bother offering sweets that can cause significant damage to the little guy’s health and comfort in the short and long term?

9 Reasons Why Your Hamster Should Never Eat Marshmallows

If your hamster has accidentally ingested marshmallows, he’s got a long road to recovery. Here are a few blowbacks to expect.

Loss of Appetite

Marshmallows are sticky in nature and may get stuck in the mouth of hamsters. This often leads to loss of appetite because the affected pocket rodent struggles to open the mouth to even eat.

For a couple of days at least, expect your hamster to reject contents in his food bowl once marshmallows are consumed. While he may be hungry and willing to eat, the stuck mouth usually makes that impossible.

Stomachache

Hamsters suffer significant stomachaches after consuming sweets such as marshmallows. A very physically active hamster may become immobile all of a sudden due to the pain associated with the condition.

Sleep patterns can also take a significant hit as these pet rodents spend more time wallowing in pain than getting rest. Sometimes, they may also spend all day and night in bed as a coping mechanism for the pain.

Diarrhea and vomiting are additional signs to look out for when your hamster consumes marshmallows. The discomfort from the stomachache may also make them more aggressive, leading to biting and other uncharacteristic behavior.

Sticky Paws 

Sticky paws can be a huge problem when hamsters are fed marshmallows. The little rodents may get their paws and entire body sticky with candy fluff.

Since hamsters are highly active creatures, they could mess up the entire cage or tank environment with the sticky body parts. They could also pollute water bowls with the marshmallow residue leading to even more sugar ingestion.

Stuffed & Sticky Cheek Pouch

Hamsters love hoarding food in their cheek pouches. The probability that your little buddy will stuff marshmallows into his cheeks can be extremely high when he’s fed this popular sweet.

The sticky nature means marshmallows may easily get stuck in the hammy’s cheeks. The popular candy can also bind grains, seeds, nuts, and other cheek pouch contents resulting in eating and breathing difficulties for the poor little rodent.

Tooth Decay and Dental Problems

Tooth decay and other serious dental problems can be a knock-on effect of allowing hamsters to eat marshmallows. The excessive sugar content in the popular sweet coupled with its sticky nature means it can get stuck in the cheek pouch for extended periods.

Over time, the stuck marshmallows may start showing signs of rot leading to a significant bacterial population in the mouth. Significant dental problems for the poor pocket rodent become inevitable as a result.

Obesity 

Marshmallows contain significant amounts of sucrose and corn syrup. These high-calorie ingredients may lead even skinny hamsters to pile on the pounds within a short period. An overweight hamster becomes more lethargic and stressed resulting in a loss of interest in staying physically active.

The result is more weight gain and an increased risk of health complications such as heart disease. 

Diabetes 

Feeding hamsters with marshmallows can be a fast-track route to diabetes. As previously discussed, this popular sweet contains high amounts of sugar and corn syrup, two leading causes of the common health condition.

Diabetes occurs when the hamster’s pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to metabolize the high amount of sugar in the blood. The condition can lead to a myriad of health complications including cataracts, heart problems, kidney failure, and even death.

Addiction

Hamsters can get addicted to the taste of marshmallows just like other sweets. Feeding them this popular candy a few times can lead them to reject their packaged foods and other healthier treats. The long-term effects can be dire for the little rodent.

Lethargy

Hamsters exposed to sweets such as marshmallows often exhibit signs of lethargy. The high sugar content and related dietary problems can cause even highly active hammies to lose interest in themselves.

They may resort to getting huddled in one corner of the cage and ignoring normal daily activities such as exercising, grooming, and nesting.

What To Do After Your Hamster Accidentally Eats Marshmallows 

Finding out that your hamster has eaten marshmallows can be upsetting. But all hope is not lost just yet. Here are a couple of steps to take to minimize the effect of this unhealthy sweet on your pet rodent’s health.

Get Rid of Leftover Marshmallows 

The first step is to get rid of leftover marshmallows from the food bowl and other areas of the cage. It is not uncommon for hamsters to hide candy deep under their litter so be prepared to look harder.

Also, wipe the hamster’s sticky paws and fur with paper towels or a clean cloth. If the little guy is allowed to roam freely in your home, make sure any marshmallows, candy, or sugary foods are kept out of reach.

Encourage him to hoard the insides of a Walnut

If your hamster refuses to eat after consuming marshmallows, it may be due to stuck leftovers in the cheek pouch. Provide a ridged treat such as the inside of a walnut and encourage your pet rodent to pouch it when he opens his mouth.

Once it is hoarded in the pouch, massage the walnut externally to get it out. Marshmallow fluff stuck in the cheek should stick onto the walnut’s ridges. This can be evidence of more marshmallows stuck in the hamster’s cheeks for quick veterinary attention.

Go to a Vet 

Immediate veterinary care may be necessary after your hamster eats marshmallows. This is especially critical when the little guy has consumed significant amounts of the popular candy. Your vet may check the little guy’s cheek pouch to remove leftover marshmallows as well as prescribe medication to minimize side effects such as stomachache.

Plenty of Water 

Hamsters should be provided lots of drinking water after eating marshmallows. The high sugar content can trigger excessive thirst so higher-than-normal quantities of water can come in handy.

Besides, water can counteract some of the effects of the sugar and corn syrup ingredients in the candy.

Cut Any Sugary Treats 

Hamsters do not do well with sugary treats and should be given in minimal quantities if any. If your furball has accidentally eaten marshmallows, especially in significant amounts, sugary treats should be entirely banned from his diet.

The sugar content in a few marshmallows is enough for a lifetime so switch to healthier alternatives when the little guy deserves some treats.

Conclusion 

Hamsters should never eat marshmallows due to the high amount of sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin content. These ingredients can cause complications such as stomachaches, dental problems, and diabetes.

In case of accidental ingestion, flush out leftovers from his cheeks and seek immediate veterinary care. This can prevent long-term side effects on the little rodent’s health.