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Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Rolls?

cinnamon rolls on wood tabletop

It is very common for dogs to assist you in the kitchen while you’re making pumpkin pie or cinnamon rolls. They will keep hovering around you in the hopes of tasting these sweet delicacies. Given that a sugary diet is not suitable for dogs, you may think twice before giving them some crumbs. Other than sucrose, ingredients like cinnamon can also raise doubts in your mind.

Is Cinnamon Toxic to Dogs?

Even though recipes like cinnamon buns and rolls are not healthy for dogs, they are NOT toxic. Consuming a large quantity of cinnamon can cause digestive as well as skin irritation in dogs (and humans). If your dog ate too much cinnamon (powder or oil), the following symptoms could appear.

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Low Blood Sugar

According to the Pet Poison Helpline, more than one teaspoon of cinnamon powder will be irritating for most canines. In the case of cinnamon oil, an even lower quantity can cause sensitization. You need to be extra careful with this spice if you own a small dog breed.

Is Cinnamon Good for Dogs?

Cinnamon sticks in a wooden bowl

Provided that you control the quantity of consumption, cinnamon can have some health benefits to your companion.

Mental Benefits

Cinnamon can help your brain’s development by improving memory and cognitive functions. In addition to that, it can also prevent neurological disorders due to the abundance of antioxidants.   

Improves Heart Health

According to a study, cinnamon can help improve heart rate and blood pressure of canines. In this research, 10 healthy dogs were fed cinnamon for 14 days to see its effects on their heart performance. At the end of this experiment, the researchers found that cinnamon improved all the measured parameters like P-R interval.   

Useful Against Obesity and Diabetes

overweight pug on stairs outside

Another benefit of cinnamon is that it regulates the blood sugar levels and insulin resistance in your pup. For instance, if the dog has been given a carbohydrate-rich diet, cinnamon will slow down the absorption of sugar in the blood to keep things optimal. It is believed that 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon per 15 pounds of dog weight is enough to achieve this task.   

Good for Arthritis

Muscle soreness and arthritis are among the biggest problems that an aging dog may face. Cinnamon can be a handful against these conditions because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Sprinkling a safe quantity of this spice on your dog’s food can help in reducing joint pain and swelling.

NOTE: In contrast to these benefits, cinnamon can also be hazardous for some dogs as it can cause irritation and diarrhea. Therefore, it is highly recommended to discuss the issue with your vet before introducing this ingredient in your dog’s meal.

Cinnamon Rolls and Dogs

cinnamon rolls in cast iron skillet being iced

Can my dog eat cinnamon rolls? Although cinnamon is NOT poisonous for dogs, these rolls CAN harm your canine. Whether it is a cinnamon roll or holiday cookies, all these baked goods can be dangerous for your pet. A lot of other ingredients that are used in these treats are not quite safe for your puppy.

Nutmeg and Other Harmful Ingredients

Just like cinnamon, nutmeg is an essential component of these holiday treats. This spice can be extremely toxic to dogs and cause serious medical implications like hallucinations and seizures. Similarly, cinnamon rolls can have life-threatening ingredients like raisins and macadamia nuts in them.

Chocolate is another common constituent of baked cookies and cakes that is poisonous for dogs. The presence of Theobromine makes it unsuitable for canine consumption because they can’t break it down. Likewise, artificial sweeteners (like Xylitol) are also not suitable for your pup.

Even if all these ingredients are missing, sugar and fats are always there in cinnamon rolls. In larger quantities, both these components can cause painful and possibly fatal pancreatitis.

Therefore, it’s best to avoid sharing cinnamon rolls with your companion. Alternatively, you can give him/her some delicious homemade treats to enjoy the celebrations.

Dog-safe Cinnamon Treat

random christmas treats and spices on a slate surface

It can be difficult to resist the cuteness of your pup when he wants you to share your holiday treats. Knowing the consequences, it is NEVER advisable to fall for those silly actions. Instead, you should do something special for him/her by making some safe dog treats.

Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats

It is common knowledge that peanut butter is one of the favorite foods of dogs. Similarly, your canine’s attraction towards pumpkin pie is enough to reveal its love for pumpkin. Combine these ingredients with some cinnamon to make some scrumptious delights for your pet.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup canned pumpkin
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. Whisk together the flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add water as needed to help make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff. Roll the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick roll. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until hard (about 40 minutes).

Thank you to All Recipes for this recipe.

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