Does your dog beg for your cinnamon scones? Have they ever gotten into the spice rack? If so, then you’ve probably wondered, perhaps somewhat frantically, if dogs can eat cinnamon. We know that certain people foods, like chocolate and grapes, can be toxic to dogs, so it makes sense that we should worry about foods and spices like cinnamon, too.
Is Cinnamon Toxic to Dogs?
The good news is that cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, though cinnamon essential oil can be toxic for dogs. Your dog will not suffer fatal toxic effects from consuming too much cinnamon. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should be sprinkling it on kibble. Cinnamon can cause skin and digestive irritation and sensitization in both pets and people, especially if consumed in large quantities.
Cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, and cinnamon in baked goods all offer opportunities for ingestion. Chewing on cinnamon sticks and consuming ground cinnamon or essential oil can cause irritation in your dog’s mouth, and inhaling cinnamon powder can cause your dog to cough, choke, and have difficulty breathing.
How much is too much? The Pet Poison Helpline states that it takes more than one teaspoon of powder to cause problems for most pets, although essential oils can cause problems in lower dosages, and small-breed dogs may be sensitive to smaller amounts of cinnamon than larger breeds. The helpline also warns that a large cinnamon overdose can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, changes in heart rate, low blood sugar, and liver disease.
Help, My Dog Ate Cinnamon!
If your dog eats a large amount of cinnamon, you don’t need to panic. You should, however, call your veterinarian. Cinnamon is not fatal to dogs, but the side effects of too much cinnamon can be uncomfortable. Your veterinarian may also have additional concerns and suggestions to help your dog recover from this spicy snack.
Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Baked Goods?
A little bit of cinnamon, like the amount used in most baked goods, isn’t going to hurt your dog. That being said, it’s not necessarily a good idea to feed your dog baked goods meant for humans. Foods that are high in fat, sugar, and unnecessary calories can lead to obesity, diabetes, and complications such as pancreatitis. Some baked goods also may contain xylitol as a sweetener, which is very toxic.
If you do choose to feed your dog baked goods with cinnamon, only feed small quantities on a very irregular basis. Make sure they don’t contain other ingredients that could be toxic or harmful to your dog, like xylitol, chocolate, or raisins.
Nutmeg and Cinnamon
Cinnamon might not be toxic to dogs. But nutmeg, another common baking spice often used with cinnamon in recipes, can have toxic effects. Nutmeg contains the toxin myristicin, which can cause hallucinations, increased heart rate, disorientation, high blood pressure, abdominal pain, dry mouth, and even seizures.
These symptoms can last up to 48 hours. The bright side is that it would take a large amount of nutmeg to cause problems for dogs. The small amount used in baked goods is generally safe. If your dog consumes a large amount of nutmeg by accident, call your veterinarian for advice.
Does Cinnamon Have Health Benefits for Dogs?
Cinnamon is reputed to have a number of health benefits for people, although these haven’t been proven conclusively. We should be wary about jumping to the same conclusion for our dogs. If you want to give cinnamon as a supplement for your dog, talk to your veterinarian about the possible risks and benefits. In the meantime, consider exploring other supplements with proven benefits to help your dog.
To make a long story short, yes, dogs can eat cinnamon in small quantities, but it isn’t necessary or recommended.