Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon? Benefits of the Christmas Spice

Have you ever sprinkled spices over your dog’s food? People who make homemade dog food or treats occasionally add seasoning to improve the flavor, but not all spices are safe for canine consumption. Take nutmeg, for instance, which contains a toxin called myristicin. This substance is highly toxic for canines, and thus makes nutmeg a big no-no for your pooch. But what about cinnamon?

Find out if cinnamon is good or bad for dogs, and if they can eat it without ending up in the emergency room:

1. Can Dogs Have Cinnamon?
2. The Good and The Bad
3. Cinnamon in Baked Goods
4. The Takeaway

Can Dogs Have Cinnamon?

If you’re wondering: can dogs eat cinnamon, the short answer is – yes. Unlike nutmeg, which can cause hallucinations and seizures in canines, cinnamon is non-toxic for dogs. The all-around favorite seasonal spice will not harm your pup unless ingested in large quantities. That means you shouldn’t feed your dog cinnamon with a tablespoon, which is not the greatest idea with any spice imaginable.

However, even if your dog happened to break into the pantry and gorged themselves on cinnamon, the consequences won’t be fatal. Too much cinnamon might cause vomiting and diarrhea, but nothing that should make you go into full panic mode. So if your dog ate cinnamon in moderate amounts, there’s no need to rush to a vet.

Do your best not to allow your dog to accidentally inhale cinnamon or other spices. Inhaling powdered cinnamon can lead to irritation, choking, and difficulty breathing, so keep your spice stash away from your dog’s reach. On the other hand, a whiff of a cinnamon stick won’t bother your four-legged baby, so no need to get rid of that potpourri bowl!

Another concern with giving your dog cinnamon is that your pooch might be allergic to it. While this spice is not the most widespread allergen in canines, that doesn’t mean that your dog can have a cinnamon allergy. Some of the symptoms of cinnamon allergy in canines are gastrointestinal distress, skin irritation, abnormal heart rate, and swelling.

The Good and The Bad

All things are considered, here are the pros and cons of cinnamon for dogs:

There are no scientific studies to prove or disprove this theory, and even though some holistic veterinarians claim that this spice has some benefits for dogs, the effect of cinnamon in canine nutrition is still unknown.

Cinnamon in Baked Goods

OK, we’ve learned that cinnamon is not toxic to dogs. But can dogs eat cinnamon rolls? And what about the cinnamon toast crunch or cinnamon bread? Unfortunately, the answer is no; you shouldn’t share your holiday desserts with your dog.

Cakes, cookies, and other baked treats containing cinnamon usually have many different ingredients that might be dangerous to dogs. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Sugar
• Raisins
• Nuts
• Cocoa powder or chocolate
• Nutmeg

Many of these foods are extremely toxic to dogs and can cause numerous health problems. It’s best to avoid sharing sweet foods with your pet, even if it’s just a bite. If you want to share the holiday joy, consider baking them some festive homemade treats or buying their favorite yummies that will have them licking their paws.

The Takeaway

So, is cinnamon good for dogs?

Well, it’s not particularly beneficial but not harmful either. It’s OK for dogs to have a lick of cinnamon and live to bark about it. Unless it was in powdered form and inhaled, or your pup happened to have an allergy, this spice should not harm your dogs.

On the other hand, cinnamon often goes together with other ingredients like nutmeg, chocolate, nuts, and raisins, all of which can be dangerous to dogs. Make sure you’re not giving your pooch cinnamon-based baked goodies from the table, and you won’t have to spend the holidays worrying!