Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon? Everything You Need To Know

Yes, dogs can eat cinnamon and include it in their daily diet. Cinnamon is proven to be a healthy alternative to several harmful ingredients like chocolates and sugar. Cinnamon not only tastes and smells good, but it also contains benefits for senior canines. In addition, research has shown that many dogs enjoy cinnamon sprinkles on their food as toppings.

What Is Cinnamon?

Cinnamon is a spice from the innermost bark of Cinnamomum tree species. Cinnamon is primarily used as an aromatic flavoring agent in many foods, including sweet dishes, tea, and traditional foods. Cinnamon’s fragrance and taste are derived from its essential oil and primary element, cinnamaldehyde, and various other constituents, including eugenol.

Is Cinnamon Safe For Dogs?

Yes, cinnamon is safe for dogs as it is not toxic itself. Cinnamon is considered a healthy alternative for your dog’s baked dishes. You might avoid sweet products from your puppy. However, a sprinkle of cinnamon can help you serve your dog sweet dishes safely. 

Although cinnamons are safe when served in moderation, sprinkles or a pinch of cinnamon is enough for your dog’s daily diet—serving more than this may cause them several problems.

Why Is Cinnamon Good For Dogs?

Cinnamon has several health benefits for the canine species. First, Ir helps them regain energy, fight diseases, and have a healthy life. Second, cinnamon contributes to the overall health improvement of your canine’s body. Some significant health benefits that cinnamon ensures are:

Anti-oxidant properties

Cinnamon is a good source of antioxidants that contains polyphenols. It helps in reducing inflammation and skin diseases like:

• Eczema
• Itchy skin
• Allergies 
• Skin inflammation
• Saves their skin from 
• Excessive sun damage 
• Pollution 
• Smoke and fumes

Cinnamon is considered a super ingredient for diabetic dogs. The cinnamon is proven to regulate:

• Blood sugar levels
• Control rising insulin
• Improve blood glucose levels
• Reduces the risks of diabetes 

A pinch of cinnamon can help your canine fight diabetes and improve their standard of lifestyle. For example, if your canine loves to eat sweet dishes, cinnamon can satisfy their sweet cravings.

Improves digestive functioning in the canine species. It is witnessed by the vet that cinnamon often works as a good remedy for dogs who suffer from a poor digestive system. It helps them in:

• Improving metabolism 
• GI issues 
• Improves enzyme functioning 
• Improves digestion capability of dietary products.
• Improves blood circulation 

Cinnamon is excellent for brain development. The research has proven that cinnamon is a good source in improving canines:

• Memory power
• Cognitive functioning
• Improves overall nervous system 
• It helps to relieve stress
• Reduces Depression 
• Works in overall brain development 

Cinnamon is suitable for dogs who suffer from joint pain and bone weakness as it is anti-inflammatory. Bone weakness is natural in senior dogs. But cinnamon, on the other hand, works as a good remedy for:

• Arthritis 
• Joint inflammation 
• Joint pain 
• Bone weakness
• Bone thinning 

Anti-fungal Properties

Cinnamons are good for canines with allergies or yeast infections. It stops the growth of Salmonella, Listeria, and Candida Albicans.

Heart Health

Research showed intake of cinnamon in dogs with high blood pressure showed consistently lower systolic blood pressure and lowered heart rate in dogs with controlled doses of cinnamon. Consult with your pet’s vet before adding to your dog’s diet.

Several other benefits of cinnamon help make it an excellent ingredient for your canine’s diet. It helps improve vitality, boosts energy, lowers blood pressure, and raises LDL cholesterol, preventing leukemia and lymphoma cancer. So adding a pinch of cinnamon in moderation can help your dog live longer healthily.

Why Is Cinnamon Bad For Dogs?

Cinnamon itself is not toxic for dogs. So it is not harmful if you add cinnamon in moderation to your dog in their daily diet, but cinnamon can cause harm if your dog has accidentally inhaled or eaten a large amount of cinnamon. The signs that can make you cautious of your puppy are:

• Diarrhea 
• Vomiting 
• Skin irritation 
• Changes in heartbeats
• Liver toxicity 
• Kidney problems 
• Nausea 
• Heartburn 
• Gas

Cinnamon is a big NO for pregnant women as it has a mild blood clotting effect that can cause bleeding problems in pregnant canines. In addition, it can cause harm to the stimulating effect on the uterus. 

Some food that contains cinnamon can also have nutmeg. However, nutmeg is severely dangerous for dogs which can cause them a health hazard. So check out for nutmeg in the foods to avoid complications.

How Much Cinnamon To Feed Your Dog?

Cinnamon should be used in moderation and a minimal amount. The moderate amount depends on your puppy’s weight. For example, a puppy of one to ten pounds can have a small pinch of cinnamon on their food, and over 100 pounds of dog can be served with one to two tablespoons of cinnamon on their food, and so on.

How To Serve Cinnamon To Your Dog?

Cinnamon can be served as an alternative ingredient to sugar in apple pie or on top of some fruits or baked treats. A small amount of cinnamon on the food can also increase appetite and the urge to eat. 

Homemade Dog-Safe Recipe

Cinnamon – Honey Dog Cookies

Ingredients

• One and a half cups of whole wheat flour
• One teaspoon of cinnamon
• Half a cup of lactose-free milk
• Two tablespoons of honey

Method

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• Place the cookie tray with a parchment paper
• Add all the ingredients to a big bowl and combine them well
• Knead the dough softly on a floured surface
• Roll the dough to about one fourth inch thickness
• Use a sharp knife or a cookie cutter to make different shapes
• Place these shapes on a cookie tray
• Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes
• Remove the cookies from the oven
• Allow them to cool
• Store them in an airtight container in a refrigerator
• Gather the leftover dough and repeat the process

What If My Dog Ate Cinnamon?

If your dog has eaten or inhaled an excessive amount of cinnamon, there is nothing to get panicked about. Cinnamon is not dangerous for dogs, and it won’t cause much harm than some temporary signs. If your dog has somehow swallowed or inhaled excessive cinnamon, they may show symptoms like:

• Vomiting 
• Sneezing 
• Nausea
• Diarrhea 
• Allergies 

You must call your vet to reduce this symptom in your canine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs have cinnamon with baked foods?

Cinnamon individually is an excellent ingredient for your dog that helps in improving your dog’s overall health. But some baked foods contain high sugar levels, which can cause your dog health hazards and disturb their blood sugar levels. A pinch of cinnamon won’t reduce the harmful effect of sugar. You can use cinnamon as a sugar alternative. But it is fine if you serve the baked treats in moderation.

Is cinnamon good with nutmeg for dogs?

No, cinnamon with nutmeg can become a health hazard. Nutmeg is considered a harmful ingredient for dogs that can cause seizures, diarrhea, fever, high blood pressure, heart rate changes. So check out for nutmeg and avoid the food that contains nutmeg, even if it has cinnamon in it too.

Can dogs eat food with cinnamon?

Yes, cinnamon is not toxic and rather helpful for your dog’s health. And yes, dogs can have foods with cinnamon in moderation. However, cinnamon helps make the food healthy, tasty and increases the urge to eat in the canines.

Final Thoughts

Now we can understand that cinnamon is healthy and can be consumed by the canines. Cinnamon not only makes the food smell and taste good, but if taken regularly in moderation, it can help your pooch in many ways, as discussed above. However, cinnamon should be served in moderation and according to your vet’s recommendation. Better to consult your vet before adding any new food or ingredient to your dog’s diet.