Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Rolls? Alternatives & FAQs

Cinnamon rolls are a great sweet treat for humans. They are typically made from a mixture of pastry and cinnamon and they may also have icing on the top. Cinnamon itself is not toxic for dogs, but too much of it could cause gastrointestinal upset like vomiting and diarrhea.

And then there are the additional ingredients that will usually go in these treats like the icing sugar on top, the macadamia nuts and raisins in the treat itself, and there are other ingredients that can give these sweet treats a very high concentration of sugar and fat. While cinnamon is not toxic for dogs, added ingredients in cinnamon rolls can be. All in all, they are not a healthy choice for your pup.

Is Cinnamon Safe for Dogs?

Cinnamon itself is not considered toxic for dogs. However, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten in large quantities. Keep in mind that your dog’s idea of a large quantity of cinnamon is different from yours. What you consider to be just the right amount of this spicy topping is likely to be too much for your dog’s inexperienced gut to handle.

It is also possible that your dog could be allergic or sensitive to this ingredient. And you should never give raw cinnamon powder, on its own, to your dog. This can cause serious problems in humans, and even worse problems for your dog.

Stomach Upsets

A dog’s stomach cannot handle a large amount of any individual food, especially foods like cinnamon. This spice has a strong flavor and it is unlikely that your dog will eat too much in one go. If he does and makes himself sick, however, you should give him a bland diet of boiled rice and chicken until his vomiting and diarrhea pass. Also, ensure that he has a fresh source of water to drink because vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration.

Watch Out For Other Ingredients

In most cases, it isn’t the cinnamon in cinnamon rolls that will cause a problem for your dog. Cinnamon rolls tend to be high in fat and sugar, thanks to the pastry content. This may also lead to gastrointestinal complaints, but it still isn’t toxic.

However, the nutmeg that is often included in these treats can be toxic if eaten in a large quantity. It can cause hallucinations and can negatively impact your dog’s heart rate.

Raisins are toxic for dogs, and so too is the chocolate or the chocolate chips that might be added to the food. Macadamia nuts are also toxic to dogs, and this ingredient is commonly found in your sweet treat cinnamon rolls.

Health Benefits Of Cinnamon

Not only is cinnamon non-toxic for dogs, it actually has some health benefits. It is an excellent anti-inflammatory, so it is beneficial for old dogs and especially those with arthritic conditions. It is also packed with antioxidants so is good for cognitive function and brain health. It regulates blood sugar, lowers insulin resistance, and it absorbs sugar in your dog’s diet.

Alternatives To Cinnamon Rolls For Dogs

The additives and extra ingredients in your favorite cinnamon rolls mean that they are probably not a healthy addition to your dog’s diet. However, you can make your own healthy treats for dogs. Peanut butter and pumpkin dog treats contain cinnamon and are considered healthy for dogs.

Are Cinnamon Rolls Safe For Dogs?

Cinnamon rolls may be safe for your dog, but it depends on any additional ingredients that are included as well as the cinnamon. Raisins and chocolate are toxic to dogs, while the sugar content is likely very high for your dog. Also, if he eats enough cinnamon it is likely to give him an upset stomach, so you will have to monitor how many of these sweet treats he consumes. With that said, the cinnamon itself offers several nutritional health benefits for your dog, so making dog-safe cinnamon treats is a perfectly safe and beneficial idea.

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