For pet parents, there is good news. Cinnamon is not dangerous for your dog. It holds incredible health benefits when you provide cinnamon to your dog in the proper amount. But it does not mean that cinnamon is the only thing you need to offer your dogs. Other things are not only tasty but also beneficial at the same time. There are a few precautions and concerns that you must bring under consideration when providing tasty and sweet spice to your puppy. Pay attention to avoid any stress later on.
Let’s look into the benefits of cinnamon and the things you may do to keep your puppy safe and healthy.
Understanding cinnamon
Cinnamon is a product from the inner bark of the genus-species of a tree called Cinnamomum. You may find two categories of sweet-smelling spices used in various recipes. These include ceylon and cassia.
●Cassia cinnamon: It comes from the western world. It is a category of cinnamon that is readily found in grocery stores and is reasonably priced. The sticks have a rough texture and are dark brown with a pungent taste. Cassia has a high amount of coumarin and is thus not recommended for puppies.
●Ceylon cinnamon: It is known as true cinnamon. It is not that easy to find and is thereby expensive. It comes from Asian countries and is light brown. It is sweet and comes with low comedian content. It is considered safe for dogs.
Coumarin is a natural element found in cinnamon, which is toxic in massive amounts. Its purpose is to keep the predator away from the tree and is thereby bitter. This is why many pet owners are worried about whether to give cinnamon to their pets. Well, the answer is no if you wonder will cinnamon hurt dogs? But make sure that you take necessary precautions and also speak with the vet regarding how much to give and how frequently you should give to your dogs.
Health benefits of cinnamon
Pawww says, Cinnamon provides various excellent health benefits for the dog. It is beneficial not only for human beings but for other species as well. The secret of this fantastic spice is that it is not toxic. Scientists believe that the compound found in the plant is responsible for health benefits. Remember that it is not harmful, but a few varieties are unsuitable for your dog. So, you need to pay attention to the feeding amount and the type of cinnamon you are giving.
● Antioxidants: The spice has antioxidant properties. It protects the cells against damage, environmental stress, and cognitive aging. The antioxidants support memory development, concentration, and brain functioning, which is helpful for the dog, which may have dementia symptoms.
● Antifungal property: Dogs with allergies or who suffer from some infection may benefit from cinnamon. It is used as a food preservative because it has antifungal properties. Also, people sprinkle cinnamon on their food items before they put them in the refrigerator to increase their shelf life.
●Anti-inflammatory property: Cinnamon may reduce inflammation and swelling in puppies with arthritis, joint pain, and sore muscles.
●Heart health: If you look at studies on the implication of cinnamon on the dog, you will see that it has a favorable importance on their blood pressure and heart health. Along with this, it resolves the issues associated with blood pressure and heart rate. If you feel your dog has a high heart rate and other blood-related problems, then cinnamon can provide them with medical benefits. You can add cinnamon to their food because it has multiple advantages.
● Blood sugar: Studies revealed that a small dose of cinnamon might reduce blood sugar levels with insulin resistance. It reduces the absorption of sugar and is thereby beneficial for dogs that have diabetes.
You must check with the veterinarian before you provide cinnamon to your dog.
How much cinnamon can you feed your dog?
When it comes to the amount of cinnamon you can provide to your dog, there are multiple answers to this question. Small breeds require a small amount of cinnamon, but large breeds will definitely need a good amount. Remember that cinnamon oil is also available at a high concentration level in the market. If your dog can digest cinnamon, you can increase the amount of cinnamon in their food item. Adding cinnamon to their food items is all right, but you must be cautious of the amount.
- All about the risk
Cinnamon is available in multiple forms, including essential oil, cinnamon stick, and powder. However, every form is not the same. Any state may cause digestive problems like stomachaches, mouth irritation, etc. Remember that cinnamon comes as a challenge to your dog. Every dog will not react similarly to the same dose and the same kind of cinnamon. When your puppy inhales powdered cinnamon, mouth irritation and choking are common. In such a situation, you need to consult the veterinarian if your puppy inhales the cinnamon powder and reveals the symptoms of cinnamon overdose.
In severe conditions, your dog gives out the following symptoms:
● Diarrhea
● Liver disease
● Vomiting
● Low blood sugar
● Change in heart rate
All the above points require immediate attention. It would help if you took your dog to the veterinarian as early as possible. Food having cinnamon, like baked goods and rolls, are plentiful in the kitchen and the pantry. The high fat, along with extra ingredients in the food like sugar, butter, cocoa powder, and chocolate, is not suitable for your dog. On the other hand, these are bad for your puppy. You must be mindful of the amount of food you are giving to your puppy. Your puppy may develop problems like pancreatitis, stomach upset, and obesity. You may create a proper diet for your dog so that your dog develops positive behavior.
Cinnamon or nutmeg?
Nutmeg and cinnamon are distinct spices from the same plant, but they are very different. Cinnamon is not a risk to the puppy in a minor amount, but nutmeg is. Nutmeg has dangerous compounds, which are found in parsley. A small amount of this may cause toxicity. As a result, you must provide your puppy with the best of all kinds.
The side effects of nutmeg and other such spices include the following:
● Dry mouth
● High heart rate
● Disorientation
● Drowsiness
● Abdominal pain
● Increase blood pressure
● Hallucination
● Seizures
If your puppy intakes cinnamon without administration then you must consult the veterinarian as early as possible. Experts say you must never leave your dog at home with these spices open. It is always better to keep everything locked, especially in the kitchen. Along with this, you can develop rapport with pet trainers. These individuals are professionals, and they know how to train your dog for positive reinforcement. You must be very careful about a balanced diet and regular physical exercise when it comes to feeding the dog. Regular physical exercise is the first and most vital point you need to consider.
Along with this, you need to feed your dog home-based food items, not packaged ones. There is no denying the fact that individuals believe that packaged items are convenient. However, the health benefits of these items are low. Whether it is sweet spices or a variety of other snacks, you cannot depend upon the packaged items. Along with this, you need to be mindful of the cinnamon content and other spices so that these are not toxic to your dog. Too much of anything is never good, especially when it comes to your pet.
Feeding your dog safely
As far as possible, you must feed your dog safely and cautiously. You must be mindful of their balanced diet and the food you are putting on their pallet. You can provide them with various things but be aware of the amount. Along with this, you must be cautious of the level of fat and oil in their food. It would help if you considered proper hydration vital, and teaching your dog to drink lots of water at regular intervals is critical. If they are not hydrated, their brain and physical development will not go hand in hand. As a result, you need to be a responsible pet parent.
Physical exercise is one of the most vital points you need to consider. If your dog is active, it can digest quickly. If your dog stays at home the whole day, then it will develop problems like anxiety, depression, digestive issues, and so on. Moreover, obesity and diabetes are other severe problems that develop in dogs these days. As a pet parent, you must pay attention to their proper development. If required speak with a dog nutritionist to find out what you should include in their daily diet. At the same time, regular visits to the veterinarian are vital so that you can constantly keep a check on their physical and mental growth. A healthy pet is always a happy pet.