We all need something to kick start our mornings.
And nothing can give you a quick boost of energy better than Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
But the problem is…
Your dog won’t leave you alone as you eat your breakfast cereal.
Should you give in when the puppy eyes beg for some Cinnamon Toast Crunch?
Continue reading to discover:
- 7 reasons why your dogs can’t eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
- The harmful effects of too much sugar on your dog (and what to do).
- 10 alternatives to Cinnamon Toast Crunch (that are 100% safe too!).
- and this is just the beginning…
Table of contents
Can dogs eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch?
Your dogs can’t eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch because it doesn’t contain any nutritional value. It’s loaded with sugar, which might be harmful to your dog’s health. Not only that, but too much sugar can also negatively affect your dog’s mood and behavior.
7 reasons why dogs can’t eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch
#1: Your dog’s mood will be affected
Does the mood of your dog change often? Or do you notice any changes after consuming a lot of sugary treats?
Sugar has the same effect on dogs as it does on people.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch contains 12 grams of sugar per serving. And the FDA only suggests that people eat under 50 grams a day.
So, Cinnamon is not recommended to humans. What more for dogs?
Sugar spikes cause stress and anxiety in dogs.
PetMD says that stressed dogs may show the following “calming signals”:
- Yawning.
- Lip licking.
- Scratching.
- Turning away.
- Avoiding eye contact.
“What do I do when my dog gets stressed?”
One of the best ways to calm your dog is to make physical contact. Who does not want a good cuddle?
Besides cuddles, the VCA Animal Hospital recommends the following:
- Find him a peaceful area to rest.
- Let them engage in physical activity.
- Perform commands and reward with treats.
#2: Their dental health will be compromised
Like us, dogs crave sweets.
Your pooch can taste sweetness despite having fewer taste buds than humans. But just because they like sweets does not mean they should always have them.
Bacteria in your dog’s mouth can eat sugar and harm their tooth enamel.
Enamel is the tooth’s thin outer layer. It covers the tooth’s crown, which is the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line.
And tooth enamel erosion increases the risk of cavities and dental disease. This can be extremely painful for your dogs!
So, keeping your dog from consuming sugary snacks like Cinnamon Toast Crunch can save them a lot of dental problems.
Warning: If you don’t take care of your dog’s dental problems, they can get worse and put their whole body and health at risk.
Taking care of your dog’s teeth:
- Brush daily.
- Give oral health chew toys.
- Schedule regular cleanings.
- Feed them healthier options.
You may also be wondering: 5 Tips To Clean Your Chihuahuas Teeth (With How-To Video)
#3: Your dog may experience indigestion
As you may know, having indigestion is not a fun experience at all.
This makes you feel very uncomfortable and, in some cases… can bring unbearable pain.
Do you want your dog to feel this too?
Indigestion is any gastrointestinal distress caused by eating.
Processed foods and sugars can cause your dog’s stomach to become inflamed, which can cause acid reflux symptoms.
Sugar in moderation and without trigger elements has little effect on acid reflux. But too much sugar, whether granulated or fructose, can cause stomach distress or serious diseases in your pet.
Vetericyn says that dogs with indigestion show these symptoms:
- Bloating.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Bad breath.
- Weight loss.
- Passing gas.
- Eating grass.
- Behavior changes.
- Lip-smacking and gulping.
A digestive system imbalance causes these symptoms.
Dogs’ digestive tracts include enzymes that help break down food. An overabundance of sugar might cause enzymes to malfunction, resulting in the problems above.
Does your dog show some of these symptoms?
If so, this is what you should give them:
- Broth.
- Protein.
- Ice cubes.
- Low-fat food.
- Canned pumpkin.
Warning: If your dog is sick and shows signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, call your veterinarian or an animal emergency center right away.
#4: This can lead to pancreatitis
Pancreatitis happens when the pancreas is inflamed and enlarged.
The pancreas regulates digestion and blood sugar levels. It also generates enzymes that help process and absorb nutrients.
“What causes pancreatitis in dogs?”
Overall, a high-fat diet may contribute to pancreatitis in dogs.
But this is not the only culprit.
Triglycerides
These are dietary fats transported in the blood.
Simple sugars like fructose are known to raise triglycerides. Acute pancreatitis is linked to high triglyceride levels.
And can you guess some of the greatest sources of simple sugars?
Cereal.
Besides this, Very Well Health says the following are also foods high in triglycerides:
- Jams.
- Syrup.
- Honey.
- Candy.
- Ice cream.
- Milkshakes.
- Sweetened drinks.
If your dog has pancreatitis, the symptoms will include:
- Fever.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal pain.
But wait!
Avoiding Cinnamon Toast Crunch is not enough to avoid pancreatitis.
And if you think eliminating all sugary food is enough…
Think again.
One of the most common foods that can cause pancreatitis is pork or pork-based foods.
Warning: Many dogs can eat sausage and ham, but many have had severe complications after consuming these foods.
So, the best thing you can do is check on the general health of your dog.
You may also be wondering: 27 Tips To Keep Your Husky Happy And Healthy (How-To Guide)
Dogs with pancreatitis should eat food that is easy for them to digest and low in fat, PetMD says.
Some examples of these foods are:
- Turkey.
- Carrots.
- Chicken.
- Zucchini.
- Brown rice.
- Sweet potato.
Note: Even if you regularly provide a raw diet to your dog, it’s necessary to cook all of the food while they have pancreatitis.
#5: Your dog’s blood sugar levels will skyrocket
You should really start worrying if your dog’s blood sugar levels are elevated.
For humans, this may mean experiencing vision loss or even having heart and kidney disease.
But for dogs, the symptoms include:
- Obesity.
- Depression.
- Bloodshot eyes.
- Increased thirst.
- Kidney infections.
- Liver enlargement.
- Worsening infections.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Nerve damages in legs.
- Slow healing of wounds.
Uh oh!
Don’t panic just yet.
The excess sugar in Cinnamon Toast Crunch is not enough to raise your dog’s blood sugar levels to an alarming level.
PedMD says that high blood sugar levels in dogs can be caused by the following:
- Infections.
- Psychological causes.
- High glucose production.
- Low body glucose consumption.
Thankfully, there is a way you can immediately tell if your dog’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal.
You can incorporate a blood glucose test into your daily routine with a little practice.
With AlphaTRAK 2, testing your diabetic pet’s blood glucose at home is simple and accurate.
For your pet, using the lancing equipment is virtually painless.
Aside from avoiding sugary foods, you can help your dog’s blood sugar levels by:
- Lessening fatty food.
- Feeding them more fiber.
- Incorporating more physical activity.
Note: Diabetes can develop in any breed or a mix of breeds, and heredity appears to have a role in either increased or decreased risk.
#6: Cinnamon toast crunch contains no health benefits
This tasty breakfast treat has no harmful ingredients, and it doesn’t have any nutritional value.
It only contains a lot of sugar and artificial ingredients.
But like everything else in life…
Too much of anything is never good for you. (This applies to both you and your dog.)
So, you should start making healthy swaps.
Instead of the sugary breakfast cereal, you should go for whole grain and low-sugar alternatives.
This way, both you and your fur baby will enjoy a healthy and hearty meal in the morning!
#7: You will notice changes in behavior
Does your dog’s behavior change when they consume an excessive amount of Cinnamon Toast Crunch?
Sugar raises your dog’s blood glucose levels while decreasing serotonin uptake. This will damage your dog’s mood and behavior.
“So, I shouldn’t feel bad for eating Cinnamon Toast Crush in front of my dog, right?”
Yes… the answer is yes.
But now that you are aware of the various consequences sugar has on your body. Will you still want that for breakfast?
Healthy Cinnamon Toast Crunch alternatives for dogs (100% safe)
But do not feel bad.
You can still give your dogs tasty treats even if you can’t feed them Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Here are some delectable alternatives that are healthy for your pooch:
(But remember, too many treats are not good for your dogs too!)
Breakfast cereal:
Many of your dog’s nutritional needs can be met by feeding them whole grain grains, like carbs.
If you want to know how to make healthy homemade treats for your dogs, watch:
Top healthy treats for dogs:
If you’re concerned about your pooch’s health, make sure to provide them snacks that aren’t only tasty but also nutritious.
High-quality, natural snacks also give better digestion, a healthier immune system, and more energy.
- KONG Easy Treat Peanut Butter Flavor.
- Zuke’s Puppy Naturals Training Dog Treats.
- Riley’S Organics Pumpkin And Coconut Bone.
- Greenies Original Teenie Natural Dental Dog Treats.
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Original Biscuits.
- Wholehearted Boundless Bars Chicken With Mixed Berries.
- Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats