Yes! Dogs can have cinnamon in small amounts. If you ever spilled your cinnamon powder on the floor and your dog licked it up then you’ll see the dog actually like the cinnamon taste. Fortunately the spice is not toxic for dogs and is safe for our four-legged friends. As a canine owner you might have heard that cinnamon has health benefits for dogs, however there are no typical benefits it holds as there are oodles in the market for better alternatives. Less than a teaspoon would be appropriate while you can’t give the cinnamon containing human foods to your dog as it might have high cinnamon with other additives.
Can dogs eat cinnamon?
Yes! Dogs can eat cinnamon in tiny quantities and if your dog has inhaled the cinnamon powder, don’t worry there’s no need for veterinary care_according to Dr. Renee Schmid. Too much cinnamon can cause serious health problems, he adds. The most common and easily available in market cinnamon type is cassia cinnamon which comes from southeast Asia. It has a compound called courmin which leads to:
- Diarrhea.
- Vomit.
- Liver spoilage.
- Disturbance of heart rate.
- Stunted blood pressure.
In Sri Lanka, Ceylon cinnamon which is also called ” true cinnamon ” grows. It has less risk of indigestion because of less courmin concentration.
Can cinnamon be bad for dogs?
Far from the nutmeg, a small amount of cinnamon is not toxic for dogs. The excess cinnamon inhale can lead to difficult breath, lung problems, choking and coughing etc. toxicity can be caused by having little drop of cinnamon essential oil or if taken powdered cinnamon more than a teaspoon_says Pet Poison Helpline. Redness in the mouth or skin irritation can be caused due to having chewed cinnamon sticks or consuming excess cinnamon powder.
Excess oil and powder cinnamon exposure can cause diarrhea, vomit, liver spoilage, disturbances of heart rate and stunted blood pressure.
Precautionary tips
- Prevent the usage of cinnamon essential oil in a diffuser around your dogs and keep them away from this oil.
- Keep a keen eye when using cinnamon sticks for decoration to keep your dog away from it.
- Try best to store cinnamon and other spices in place or at high points where your dog can’t reach.
Call your veterinarian in case your dog chewed, inhaled or ate excessive cinnamon.
Can dogs eat cinnamon bread or rolls?
Although a small amount of cinnamon is present in commercial dog-foods, avoid treating your dog with human meals containing cinnamon. Having bread dough and raw cinnamon bread roll can lead to dangerous results or if the products contain yeast as it is severely toxic for your dogs.
You baked treats like cinnamon bread or rolls may have ingredients like xylitol, raisins and nutmeg which are toxic for dogs.
These types of human treats can also cause problems to your furry friend like diarrhea, vomit and pancreatitis.
Can dogs eat cinnamon oil?
Cinnamon essential oil and extract are toxic for dogs because of their high concentration. Cinnamon essential oil and extract can cause irritation to the gut, eye and skin of dogs. In some dangerous situations your dog may also experience diarrhea, vomit, liver spoilage, disturbances of heart rate and stunted blood pressure.
Dr Schmid says, for developing signs, only a few drops of cinnamon essential oil or extract are enough according to your pet.
You can make a call on ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) in case your dog has ingested cinnamon essential oil or extract or having chewed cinnamon sticks or consuming excess cinnamon powder.
The hotlines may also collect the consultation fee.
Optimal cinnamon quantity for dogs?
For an adult dog, less than a teaspoon of cinnamon powder is safe to eat. While a drop of cinnamon essential oil can be toxic for dogs, says Dr. Schmid.
However it is convenient to ask your vet first.
How can you feed cinnamon to your dog?
According to Gonzalez, “in small amounts cinnamon has an appealing taste for dogs”. Even cinnamon is added in commercial pet foods and treats as it is a holiday spice. Pet food might also have an unpleasant smell for humans, cinnamon masks this odor_Gonalzez adds.
Health benefits of cinnamon for the dogs
Some canine lovers might think that adding cinnamon to dog meals can cause possible health benefits while it is not generally recommended unless your vet advised you to add cinnamon to your dog’s daily diet for specific health conditions.
There is only a little scientific evidence which says that cinnamon might reduce the inflammation and regulate blood sugar levels in dogs, according to Gonzalez.
Conclusion
Till now, you have got the answer: can dogs eat cinnamon? So yeahhh! Cinnamon is a safe sweet and savory treat for humans and dogs as well. Don’t forget to ask your veterinarian before the treat. So why not. Go and let your dog enjoy the subtle notes of cinnamon. Afterall a treat is good for everyone. Bay!
FAQs
Is cinnamon applesauce good for dogs?
According to Dr. Abel Gonzalez, a plain applesauce is better than cinnamon applesauce. Because cinnamon applesauce might have a tiny concentration of cinnamon spice with ingredients like xylitol and other artificial sweeteners which can cause toxicity in dogs.
Are cinnamon oatmeals edible for dogs?
Cinnamon oatmeal can have excessive sugars, additives and preservatives. So do not feed them cinnamon oatmeals as it can cause toxicity. You might read about some brands like “cinnamon and other spices” so the other ones could be nutmeg and many more. Thus avoid using these.
Is cinnamon sugar bad for dogs?
Cinnamon sugar can cause diabetes, dental problems and obesity, so it is a bad treat for dogs. There’s no need for a vet if your dog is consuming cinnamon powder less than a teaspoon when licking a bit of cinnamon sugar.
