By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Cinnamon rolls tend to go missing in two ways. A cat licks the icing off a baked roll left on the bench, or someone pops open a tube of refrigerated dough and a few pieces end up on the floor. The cinnamon itself is not the main concern. The bigger questions are how much fat and sugar your cat ate, and whether it was raw dough.
Key takeaways
- The ASPCA lists the cinnamon plant as non-toxic to cats. A sprinkle of ground cinnamon in a pastry is not a classic poison.
- Concentrated cinnamon oil is different. Merck Veterinary Manual lists cinnamon oil among essential oils that can harm animals, and cats are especially sensitive to essential oils.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch style rolls typically contain wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oils, cinnamon and a sweet icing. None of this is useful for a cat.
- Raw dough of any kind is worth a call to your vet, particularly yeast-raised dough, which can expand in the stomach.
- Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 if your cat ate dough, a large amount, or is unwell.
- Related reading: yeast dough and cats, pancreatitis in cats.
What is in a cinnamon roll
Brand recipes change and vary between countries, so check the pack you have. Cinnamon Toast Crunch branded rolls are typically sold as refrigerated dough with a cinnamon sugar filling and a tub of icing. Products like these typically contain enriched wheat flour, sugar, palm or soybean oil, dextrose, raising agents, salt, cinnamon and flavourings, and some include milk ingredients. Bakery cinnamon scrolls are similar, with butter often in place of vegetable oil.
Is cinnamon toxic to cats?
The ASPCA plant database lists cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) as non-toxic to cats. The small amount of ground cinnamon in a pastry is unlikely to cause more than mild stomach upset. Inhaled powder can make a cat cough or sneeze, so do not let your cat sniff an open spice jar.
Cinnamon oil is a separate issue. Merck Veterinary Manual explains that cats are more sensitive to essential oils than dogs because they are deficient in an enzyme called glucuronyl transferase, and cinnamon oil and cassia bark are on its list of hazardous oils. Keep diffusers, scented oils and concentrated cinnamon extracts away from cats, and never apply them to fur.
The other ingredients
Sugar and icing
Cats lack a working sweet taste receptor, according to a PLoS Genetics study, so they are usually drawn to the fat and dairy in icing rather than the sugar. Sugary foods add empty calories. Cornell notes that obesity is the most frequently observed nutritional disorder in cats and can aggravate diabetes and arthritis.
Fat
Pastry is rich. A greasy treat can cause vomiting or diarrhoea in a cat. Cornell's page on feline pancreatitis notes that most cases have no obvious cause, so it is fair to say fatty food is not a proven trigger in cats. It is still a poor choice for a cat with a sensitive stomach.
Raw dough
The ASPCA warns that yeast dough can rise in the stomach, causing painful bloating, and that yeast produces alcohol as it ferments. Many refrigerated rolls use chemical raising agents instead of yeast, but you may not know which kind your cat ate, and raw flour is not a safe food either. Treat any raw dough as a reason to call.
Signs to watch for
- vomiting or retching
- diarrhoea
- a swollen or tight belly, or reluctance to be touched there
- drooling or lip licking
- wobbliness or unusual sleepiness (possible alcohol from fermenting yeast dough)
- hiding or not wanting to eat
When it is an emergency
Get help straight away if your cat:
- ate raw dough, especially yeast dough
- has a swollen belly, keeps retching or vomiting, or seems in pain
- is wobbly, very flat or hard to rouse
- got into cinnamon oil or a scented product
Phone your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. Do not make your cat vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
How vets help
Your vet will ask what product it was, whether it was baked or raw, how much is missing and when it happened. Bring the packaging if you can. Depending on the timing and amount, your vet may decide to empty the stomach under veterinary care, give supportive treatment or simply advise monitoring. A cat with a bloated belly may need X-rays.
Prevention
- Bake and cool rolls out of reach, and put leftovers in a sealed container.
- Bin dough tubes and icing tubs in a lidded bin.
- Keep essential oils and diffusers away from cats altogether.
- Offer your cat its usual treat when the family has dessert.
FAQ
My cat licked some icing. Is that dangerous?
A small lick of plain icing is unlikely to cause more than mild stomach upset. Watch for vomiting or diarrhoea and call your vet if it continues.
Is ground cinnamon safe to sprinkle on my cat's food?
There is no reason to add it. The plant is listed as non-toxic, but cats do not need spices, and powder can irritate the airways.
What about cinnamon scented candles or oils?
Keep them away from cats. Essential oils, including cinnamon oil, can be harmful to cats through licking, skin contact or inhalation.
Does it matter if the roll had raisins?
Yes. Grapes and raisins are a caution for cats too, even though the evidence in cats is limited. Mention them when you call.
Talk with a vet
If you are not sure how much your cat ate or whether the dough was raw, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide what to do next. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants. Cinnamon.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicoses From Essential Oils in Animals.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Li X, et al. PLoS Genet. 2005;1(1):e3. Pseudogenization of a Sweet-Receptor Gene Accounts for Cats' Indifference toward Sugar.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Obesity.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feline Pancreatitis.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline | 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.