Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon? Is Cinnamon Bad for Dogs?
Yes, dogs can eat cinnamon. Cinnamon is not toxic to dogs. The spice has a lot of health advantages as well! For more information on how adding a little cinnamon to your dog’s diet can help his health, how to do so, and what warning signs to look out for, continue reading.
You can be sure that your dog is waiting patiently at your feet in the hopes of snatching some crumbs if you’re baking up delicious-smelling treats like snickerdoodles, pumpkin pie, or cinnamon buns.
What you need to know about dogs eating cinnamon is provided below.
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What is Cinnamon?
Cinnamon is derived from the inner bark of trees in the Cinnamomum genus. There are two varieties of that sweet-smelling spice that are used in many recipes: cassia and ceylon.
Cassia Cinnamon comes from The sticks are darker brown with a strong flavor, and they have a rougher texture. Most grocery stores carry this kind of cinnamon readily available and reasonably priced. For dogs, Cassia is not advised because it contains the most coumarin.
Ceylon Cinnamon, called “true” cinnamon, is harder to find and more expensive. It’s light brown in color, has a sweeter flavor, and is from Sri Lanka. We believe Ceylon to be safer for dogs due to lower coumarin levels.
Cinnamon contains coumarin, a naturally occurring chemical that is toxic in large doses. Its bitter taste and sweet vanilla scent serve to deter predators from approaching the trees.
Is Cinnamon Toxic to Dogs?
The good news is that although cinnamon essential oil can be harmful to young animals, cinnamon itself is not toxic to dogs. Overdosing on cinnamon won’t have a fatal toxic effect on your dog, but that doesn’t mean you should sprinkle it on his kibble. The Pet Poison Helpline advises that cinnamon, particularly if consumed in large amounts, can irritate the skin, digestive tract, and cause sensitization in both people and pets.
Cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, and cinnamon in baked goods are all edible forms of the spice. Inhaling cinnamon powder can make your dog cough, choke, and have trouble breathing. Chewing on cinnamon sticks, consuming ground cinnamon, or using essential oil can irritate your dog’s mouth.
The Pet Poison Helpline notes that while essential oils can be problematic in lower dosages and that small-breed dogs may be more sensitive to cinnamon than larger breeds, it takes more than one teaspoon of powder to cause problems for the majority of pets. The helpline also cautions that a significant cinnamon overdose can cause liver disease, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in heart rate, low blood sugar, and changes in breathing patterns.
Help, My Dog Ate Cinnamon!
You shouldn’t become alarmed if your dog consumes a lot of cinnamon. However, you should contact your veterinarian. Although too much cinnamon can have unpleasant side effects on dogs, it is not fatal. Your vet may have further questions and advice to help your dog recover from this spicy treat.
Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Baked Goods?
It won’t harm your dog to use a small amount of cinnamon, such as that found in most baked goods. However, giving your dog baked goods is not always a smart move. Foods high in fat, sugar, and unnecessary calories can cause diabetes, obesity, and other complications like pancreatitis. A toxic sweetener called xylitol may also be present in some baked goods.
If you do decide to give your dog cinnamon-flavored baked goods, do so in very small doses and very rarely. Also, make sure the baked goods don’t also contain xylitol, chocolate, or raisins, which could be toxic or harmful to your dog.
Nutmeg and Cinnamon for Dogs
Nutmeg is undoubtedly bad for dogs, despite the fact that it pairs well with cinnamon. Myristicin, a toxin that occurs naturally in nutmeg’s essential oil and in plants like parsley, peyote, and dill, is present in nutmeg. Symptoms of myristicin toxicity include:
- Increased heart rate
- Disorientation
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Hallucinations
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
These overdose symptoms from nutmeg can persist for up to 48 hours. The good news is that it would take quite a bit of nutmeg (between one and three tablespoons) for your dog to become poisoned by myristicin. Only a minor stomach upset might occur if they only consume a small amount (less than 1 tablespoon). If you believe your dog got into the spice cabinet, the Thank Your Vet Organization advises calling your veterinarian or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 as soon as you can. Also, keep nutmeg and baked goods containing nutmeg out of your dog’s reach.
Does Cinnamon Have Health Benefits for Dogs?
Even though they have not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, cinnamon is thought to have a number of health advantages for people. As exciting as this is for those of us who like cinnamon and want a justification to include more of it in our diets, we should exercise caution when applying the same logic to our dogs.
Consult your veterinarian about the potential risks and advantages before giving cinnamon to your dog as a supplement. Investigate alternative supplements for your dog that have been shown to be beneficial in the interim.
Short version: Canines can consume small amounts of cinnamon, but it is neither necessary nor advised.
Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Both you and your dog can benefit from the many wonderful health advantages of cinnamon. Cinnamaldehyde is probably the key to these wonderful advantages. According to scientists, this substance is what gives cinnamon its therapeutic properties.
Just keep in mind that while it is not toxic, there are some amounts that your dog cannot consume, so be careful when giving it to them.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants, which guard against cellular damage from environmental stresses and delay cognitive aging, are abundant in this spice. Antioxidants help the brain function, which helps older dogs who might be showing signs of dementia by enhancing focus and memory.
Anti-Fungal Properties: Cinnamon can help dogs who have yeast infections or allergies. It prevents Salmonella, Listeria, and Candida Albicans from proliferating. Food preservation is another advantage. The shelf life can be extended by adding cinnamon to food before refrigerating.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Dogs with arthritis, sore muscles, and joint pain can experience a reduction in swelling and inflammation when given cinnamon.
Heart Health: According to a study on the effects of cinnamon in dogs with heart and high blood pressure problems, systolic blood pressure and heart rate were significantly reduced in dogs given controlled doses of cinnamon. If you think that putting cinnamon in your dog’s food might be beneficial, talk to your veterinarian.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Small doses of cinnamon, according to studies, can also reduce insulin resistance and blood glucose levels. It slows the bloodstream’s absorption of sugar after meals that are high in carbohydrates, like kibble, can. Consult your veterinarian before giving cinnamon to your dog if they have diabetes.
Risks from Cinnamon
There are many different types of cinnamon, including cinnamon sticks, essential oils, and the most popular form, powder. Similar to how it does for humans, cinnamon in any form can irritate the mouth and cause stomachaches.
Do you recall the previous YouTube challenges involving cinnamon? When our dogs consume too much, they may experience the same reactions. Your dog may experience mouth irritation, coughing, choking, and breathing difficulties if they inhale ground cinnamon. Consult a vet if your dog inhales cinnamon powder and shows these symptoms of cinnamon overdose:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Low blood sugar levels
- Liver disease
- Changes in heart rate
All of these call for an urgent trip to the veterinarian.
Various foods, such as cinnamon-flavored baked goods like cinnamon rolls (OMG!), are plentiful in our kitchen and pantries. These foods are unhealthy for dogs due to their high fat content and numerous additional ingredients, including butter, sugar, cocoa powder, chocolate, raisins, some nuts, and nutmeg (a highly toxic artificial sweetener). When your dog consumes large amounts of human food, obesity, digestive issues, and pancreatitis may occur.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Too Much Cinnamon
Normally, if your dog consumes a small amount of cinnamon, it won’t be harmful to them. However, if your dog accidentally consumes a large quantity of cinnamon at once, it is important to take them to the veterinarian or call them for advice. Although excessive amounts of cinnamon can cause your dog’s digestive problems like vomiting and diarrhea, it is not toxic to dogs. This is especially true for smaller dog breeds that consume a lot of cinnamon at once.
When it comes to your dog’s health and safety, it’s important to err on the side of caution. It is therefore advised that you consult your veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog consumes a significant amount of cinnamon.
Keep Your Dog Safe from Food Dangers
Feeding your pet seemingly innocent table scraps puts them at risk. Only give them foods and treats that are exclusively for them.
Make sure everyone who enters the house, especially those helping in the kitchen, is aware that they must not feed your pet any human food. Ask them to watch out for food that may have fallen and could harm your dog.
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