Cinnamon is a common spice that can pose health risks to cats depending on the form and dose. If exposed or ingested in high amounts, it could lead to cinnamon toxicity. Signs of toxicity in cats can include: Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.
Cinnamon contains coumarin, a naturally occurring compound that's medically used as a blood thinner. "A large dose could conceivably cause problems for your cat with clotting," Eldredge says. She adds that cats may also get a reaction in their mouths when they ingest cinnamon, such as redness and irritation.
It takes a larger amount of ingested cinnamon powder to cause problems in our pets (greater than 1 teaspoon of powder for most pets) but only a small amount of the essential oil.
Is Cinnamon Toxic to Dogs? The good news is that cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, though cinnamon essential oil can be toxic for pups. Your dog will not suffer fatal toxic effects from consuming too much cinnamon, but that does not necessarily mean you should be sprinkling it on kibble.
Cinnamon and Cats
Most cats (but definitely not all) don't like the strong smell of Cinnamon which is why it is popular as a cat deterrent. As a cat owner if your pet shows an interest in Cinnamon you should not let them ingest it. While a tiny amount won't do any harm, any more than that can lead to vomiting.
While some cats love the smell of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg others actively avoid them. Just to keep you on your toes! Interestingly, it's not just small cats who respond well to the smell of certain spices. Many big cats like the same scents that domestic cats like.
If your pet eats a small amount of cinnamon, you likely don't have to worry about toxicity. Cinnamon shouldn't cause any adverse reactions in very small doses. Larger doses and certain types of cinnamon, however, may cause some concern.
Basically, there is no version of cinnamon that's safe for cats or other pets. Inhaling, ingesting or touching cinnamon compounds in any way can pose danger to your fluffy friend. Regardless of its age, breed or overall health condition, the kitty must stay away from it.
Apart from insects, lice, and mites, cinnamon repels rodents and other unwanted guests including rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, snakes, moles, rabbits, and weasels. It can also kill harmful fungi that can cause diseases in certain plants, so it's a useful tool for any garden.
Strong spicy aromas like pepper, curry, and cinnamon also tend to ward off cats. However, we do not recommend using cayenne pepper or other pepper flakes to keep cats out of the garden, as this could potentially harm them. Cinnamon is non-toxic to cats.
Key Takeaways. Pets can eat cinnamon in moderation. Pets cannot eat nutmeg or cloves because they are toxic to dogs and cats. Ginger is safe for dogs and cats and can be used as a homeopathic remedy too.
Also, make sure you only ever serve the oatmeal plain, and don't ever add any toppings such as sugar or cinnamon. As mentioned previously, oatmeal doesn't need to be a permanent fixture of your cat's diet, and they can do without it, so it's best to only offer it occasionally.
The ASPCA does not consider cinnamon to be toxic to cats. This means that if your cat sneaks in a tiny taste, they should usually be okay. But the spice is often used in baked goods alongside with other ingredients that are harmful to cats, including chocolate and nutmeg.
Again, the flesh of cooked apples is generally okay for moggies, and the cooking process also makes the fruit softer and easier for your cat to eat. However, many types of cooked apples will have extra ingredients added to them during the baking process, such as cinnamon and sugar, which aren't very good for cats.
Also, cinnamon contains coumarin, a blood thinner. Cats don't have the correct enzymes to break down coumarin in their liver, so the substance remains in the body and continues to accumulate, putting them at risk for toxicity.
Oils that are harmful to cats include, but are not limited to: wintergreen; sweet birch; citronella oils and candles; citrus (d-limonene); pine; ylang-ylang; peppermint; cinnamon; pennyroyal; clove; eucalyptus; tea tree (melaleuca); thyme; oregano; and lavender.
Peanut butter is generally safe for cats to eat in moderation and with approval from a vet. However, cats do not obtain any valuable nutrients from peanut butter and in many cases, the risks outweigh the benefits.
Vet's don't recommend feeding honey to your cat
Digestive distress, stomach aches, probable weight gain, and unclear benefit to cat health are the reason most vets discourage honey. Your veterinarian will look at the anatomy and medical history of your cat when determining what's safe to eat.
So remember, nonfat plain yogurt is usually safe and healthy for cats and dogs to eat as a fun snack — just check the nutrition label first to make sure it doesn't contain a dangerous ingredient, like xylitol. And for even more power-packed benefits, consider adding a daily probiotic to their regimen.
Bananas are a safe and healthy treat for your cat, but they need to be given in small amounts like all the items on this list. Your cat shouldn't eat a banana—or even half a banana. Instead, just give her a small slice from your banana. Don't be surprised if your cat turns her nose up at your offering.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
Catnip and More.
Catnip, part of the mint family, affects many cats with a scent-induced kitty “high.” Silver vine has a similar effect. And valerian can energize cats. Fresh work best, but even the dried form may inspire kitty love.
Cats don't like scents that are too strong, like the smell of hot peppers or Altoids. “Strong, biting smells, like pepper and cinnamon (both spicy) and mint or wintergreen, are repulsive to cats,” Hudson said. Cats also hate vinegar because of the pungent smell.
Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they're also highly digestible. Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine.