Can Cats Eat Cinnamon?

Furthermore, the feline gastroenteric tract is sensitive, so most spices are likely to cause stomach upset or irritation. An allergic reaction is also possible.

Whether a cat can eat human food with cinnamon depends on the recipe, but the general answer is again “no.” Some human foods have more threats to feline health than cinnamon.

Fortunately, your cat is unlikely to fall in love with cinnamon and eat an entire pack after trying it, so if it sneaks into the kitchen and licks a bit, there is no need to worry.

Is Cinnamon Toxic to Cats?

Cinnamon is considered non-toxic to felines, but everything becomes a poison if you consume enough. A little bit of cinnamon won’t cause severe health problems – the ingredient isn’t nearly as dangerous to cats as garlic or chives.

However, cats lack the enzyme necessary for breaking down cinnamon compounds, which build up over time if a cat consumes much cinnamon at once or small servings of cinnamon regularly.

There are two varieties of cinnamon: Ceylon and cassia. Cassia cinnamon is commonly found in North America and is high in coumarin, a substance used as rat poison and causing liver failure and hemorrhaging.

However, coumarin in such concentrations isn’t poisonous for humans or larger pets. Still, if it builds up in a cat’s body, it can cause liver diseases. Ceylon cinnamon also contains coumarin, but its concentration is significantly lower.

Symptoms of cinnamon toxicity in cats include vomiting, diarrhea, low blood sugar, change in heart rate, thinning of blood, and organ failure. You won’t notice these symptoms if your cat eats a little bit of cinnamon once.

The most likely adverse effects of cinnamon for cats are related to the gastroenteric tract – because cinnamon is an irritant, it can cause flatulence, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Cinnamon can also cause skin irritation in particularly sensitive cats.

Cinnamon Allergy

Although small amounts of cinnamon are generally harmless for cats, some felines might be allergic to the product and experience severe adverse effects. The symptoms of cinnamon allergy in cats vary depending on how a cat was exposed to the ingredient.

If a cat ate ground cinnamon, it is likely to experience gastroenteric symptoms including flatulence, vomiting, and diarrhea. Because the symptoms are similar to regular gastroenteric upset, diagnosing an allergy is challenging.

Typically, gastroenteric symptoms resolve without veterinary help. But if vomiting or diarrhea is prolonged, the cat might need intravenous fluids to make up for the water loss.

If a cat inhales cinnamon, it will more likely have respiratory symptoms including coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms require veterinary help because they can escalate.

Some cats might experience topical symptoms from cinnamon exposure to the skin or oral cavities, such as rash, irritation, swelling, and redness. The scope of action depends on the symptom severity, but consulting a vet is recommended.

Allergy to ground cinnamon is relatively uncommon in cats. A cat is much more likely to have an allergic reaction to chewing on a cinnamon tree or cinnamon stick or being exposed to cinnamon essential oil because it’s more potent than ground spice.

Cinnamon contains carbolic acid known as phenol, which causes skin and respiratory system burning. Cats are more sensitive to phenol than humans or dogs.

Veterinarians typically perform complete blood count and urinalysis to assess organ functioning in the event of cinnamon allergy.

How Much Cinnamon Is Safe for Cats?

The short answer for “how much cinnamon is safe for cats?” is – none. It’s best not to risk your cat’s health by feeding it anything even with a tiny bit of cinnamon.

However, your cat will likely be fine if it licks a little bit of the spice, assuming it doesn’t have an allergy. It takes about a teaspoon of ground cinnamon for cats to experience toxicity symptoms.

The amount is significantly lower in the case of cinnamon essential oil – even a few drops can cause a skin rash or respiratory symptoms.

Figuring out the safe serving size with human food containing cinnamon is trickier since you don’t know the exact amount of the spice. Therefore, refrain from giving your cat any food with cinnamon unless you’ve cooked it yourself and know the amount is negligible.

Remember that each cat is different. Some are more sensitive than others and might experience severe adverse effects from a lower dosage.

Is Cinnamon Essential Oil Safe for Cats?

Essential oils, in general, and cinnamon essential oil, in particular, aren’t safe for cats. Because cinnamon essential oil is very potent and cats are sensitive creatures, it is likely to cause irritation if a cat eats it, sniffs it, or gets it on the skin.

High concentrations of cinnamon compounds can lead to liver or respiratory failure, seizures, and even death. In the best-case scenario, the cinnamon essential oil will cause skin irritation and redness.

If cinnamon essential oil gets into a cat’s eyes, the eyes will become watery and red. The cat might have difficulty opening its eyes, and if the problem is left unattended, the essential oil can leave lasting effects.

Can Cats Have Cinnamon Rolls?

Cats shouldn’t eat ground cinnamon or have cinnamon essential oil, but can cats have cinnamon rolls? Although the concentration of cinnamon in buns isn’t that high, sweets pose other dangers to feline health.

A cat is unlikely to experience severe poisoning from a cinnamon roll, but cinnamon rolls are high in fat and sugar. Sugar in high amounts can make a cat hyperactive and agitated and cause increased thirst.

If a cat consumes cinnamon rolls frequently, it is likely to gain weight and become obese. Later, it can develop medical conditions associated with extra weight, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Even if a cat eats a cinnamon roll once, it can experience gastroenteric upset because sugar draws water to the intestines, causing diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence.

Furthermore, commercially produced cinnamon rolls may contain chemicals that can cause an allergic reaction. Gluten, too, is a common allergen.

To conclude, cats shouldn’t have cinnamon rolls, but they won’t die from trying a small piece. Remember that carbs aren’t a natural part of the feline diet.

Can Cats Have Cinnamon Oatmeal?

Cinnamon oatmeal sounds healthy, and it is – at least for humans. But can cats have cinnamon oatmeal? Oats are safe for cats and even have some health benefits, although too many carbs and fiber can harm a cat, causing gastroenteric upset.

However, if you’d like to incorporate oats into your cat’s diet, cook them in the water with no salt, sugar, or toppings. A combo of whole milk and ground cinnamon is likely to cause vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort in your pet.

Either way, you should consult a vet before feeding your cats oats on a daily basis because high fiber content might result in diarrhea, and too many carbs can lead to weight gain. Oats are unnecessary for most cats because they are obligate carnivores.

Can Cats Have Cinnamon Toast Crunch?

The short answer for whether cats can have Cinnamon Toast Crunch is – no. Firstly, Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a sugar bomb that will make a cat hyperactive, restless, and thirsty, and might cause a gastroenteric upset.

Secondly, if a cat eats Cinnamon Toast Crunch too frequently, it might experience cinnamon toxicity symptoms. Thirdly, the feline gastroenteric tract isn’t meant for digesting so many carbs.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch contains plenty of chemicals, just like most commercially produced cereal. No chemicals in Cinnamon Toast Crunch are toxic to cats, but they can have a lasting effect on feline health, increasing the risk of cancer and other diseases.

Plus, any ingredient in Cinnamon Toast Crunch can cause an allergic reaction manifesting with skin irritation, redness, coughing, wheezing, diarrhea, changes in heart rate, and low blood sugar.

The good news is that most cats don’t care about Cinnamon Toast Crunch because it has no nutritional benefits. They might be curious but are unlikely to go crazy over it.

Why Does My Cat Like Cinnamon?

It’s unusual for cats to like cinnamon because their taste buds have developed to sense protein and fat, and cinnamon has neither. Furthermore, they don’t have the necessary liver enzymes to break it down, so it’s plain dangerous.

Cats also find strong smells repulsive. However, cats are curious creatures. If your cat is obsessed with cinnamon, it likely simply wants to try your food.

Your cat might also be interested in any other ingredient in your food. For instance, if you eat cinnamon oatmeal, your cat might be attracted to milk rather than cinnamon.

In cinnamon rolls, a cat is likely attracted to fat because felines cannot sense sugars. Or, if you eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch, your cat might like the crunchy texture rather than the flavor.

Either way, refrain from sharing your food with cinnamon with your cat because frequent exposure to small amounts can cause toxicity symptoms, and cinnamon has no benefits for cats.

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