Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon?

Cinnamon is a popular spice found in many households, often used in baking, beverages, and even health remedies. But if you have a dog, you might wonder—can dogs eat cinnamon?

Every year around the holidays Finnish newspapers publish listicles of holiday treats you shouldn’t give to your dogs. And every year chocolate and gingerbread cookies are on that list. I have lived my whole life believing that cinnamon is bad for dogs. When I was little, I always got told not to give gingerbread cookies to dogs because they contain cinnamon.

Some pet owners believe cinnamon offers health benefits, while others worry about potential risks. In this article, I will explore whether cinnamon is toxic to dogs, how much (if any) is safe, and what you should know before giving it to your dog.

Key Takeaways

Cinnamon is generally safe for dogs in small amounts, but too much can cause irritation or health issues. While a light sprinkle of cinnamon isn’t toxic, large quantities can lead to digestive upset, mouth irritation, and even liver strain due to coumarin content, especially in cassia cinnamon.
Cinnamon-containing foods can be dangerous for dogs. Many treats and baked goods with cinnamon also include harmful ingredients like nutmeg, sugar, raisins, or artificial sweeteners, which can be toxic. Always check the full list of ingredients before sharing human food with your dog.
Ceylon is the safer option compared to cassia. Ceylon cinnamon contains lower levels of coumarin, making it a better choice if you plan to give your dog a small amount. However, cinnamon isn’t an essential part of a dog’s diet, so it should only be given occasionally.

Is Cinnamon Good for Dogs?

Cinnamon is not good for dogs.

Cinnamon contains a compound called coumarin. Coumarin is toxic in large quantities and damages the liver. Cassia has 2-3mg/g of coumarin. Ceylon, which is more rare and expensive, contains less coumarin.

Don’t give dogs any sugary treats like cinnamon cereal, french toast sticks, or cinnamon rolls, they are bad for dogs.

How Much Cinnamon Is Too Much for a Dog?

According to EFSA, coumarin can be consumed at 0,1mg per kg which means a dog that weighs 10 kilos (22lbs) can handle 1mg of coumarin. For reference, 5mg of coumarin equals 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.

That means small dogs are more susceptible to cinnamon overdose than big dogs.

It is best to call your local vet, explain the situation and tell how much cinnamon the dog ate, and do what your vet recommends.

Types of Cinnamon: Ceylon vs. Cassia

Not all cinnamon is the same, and the type of cinnamon you use can make a big difference in its safety for dogs.

There are two types of cinnamon: cassia cinnamon and ceylon cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon is cheaper and more popular in Europe and all around the world.

Ceylon Cinnamon: The Safer Option

Ceylon cinnamon, often called “true cinnamon,” comes from Sri Lanka and has a lighter color with a delicate, slightly sweet flavor.

It contains low levels of coumarin, a natural compound that can be harmful to the liver in large doses. Because of its lower coumarin content, Ceylon cinnamon is generally considered the safer choice for dogs if given in small amounts.

Cassia Cinnamon: The Riskier Variety

Cassia cinnamon is the more common type found in grocery stores. It has a darker, reddish-brown color and a stronger, spicier taste.

Unlike ceylon cinnamon, cassia cinnamon contains much higher levels of coumarin, which can be toxic to the liver when consumed frequently or in large amounts.

Even though a small sprinkle of Cassia cinnamon isn’t likely to harm your dog, regular or excessive consumption could pose a risk.

Why This Matters for Dogs

Dogs process certain compounds differently than humans, and high levels of coumarin can lead to liver damage over time. While occasional exposure to cinnamon in small amounts isn’t typically dangerous, choosing ceylon cinnamon over cassia can reduce potential risks.

Risks of Feeding Cinnamon to Dogs

While cinnamon is not toxic to dogs in small amounts, feeding too much can lead to several health concerns. Here are the main risks to be aware of before giving your dog cinnamon.

Irritation to the Mouth and Digestive System

Cinnamon has natural compounds that can cause irritation, especially when consumed in large amounts or in concentrated forms like cinnamon oil.

Some dogs may experience:

Drooling or mouth discomfort.
Upset stomach, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Increased thirst due to irritation.

Inhalation Risk: Can Cause Coughing and Respiratory Distress

Cinnamon powder is very fine, and if inhaled, it can lead to:

Coughing, choking, or gagging.
Difficulty breathing.
Sneezing or nasal irritation.

This is especially risky if a dog accidentally sniffs up cinnamon while eating or if the spice is sprinkled too liberally over food. If your dog shows signs of distress after inhaling cinnamon, move them to fresh air and monitor for persistent coughing or wheezing.

The Information Is Conflicting

I was browsing through Pinterest to find dog treat recipe ideas and something caught my eye. Many of the recipes promoted adding cinnamon to the dog treats. I immediately started thinking “Why would you recommend that?”. So I did what anybody would do and googled if dogs can eat cinnamon.

Turns out that the first search result in Google (in English) tells you that according to ASPCA “Cinnamon is non-toxic to dogs“.

The third search result tells us “…not toxic to dogs and holds some pretty amazing health benefits when given in proper amounts“.

But then the American Kennel Club says “…but that does not necessarily mean you should be sprinkling it on his kibble“.

So which is it? Should you give cinnamon to your dog or not? All these sources tell us yes, but no, and no, but yes.

FAQ

Is Cinnamon Safe for Dogs?

No. Cinnamon is not safe for dogs in large quantities. A large quantity can be only two teaspoonfuls for a small dog. Cinnamon contains coumarin which leads to liver damage. Other symptoms of feeding cinnamon to your dog are diarrhea, vomiting, low blood sugar levels, and changes in heart rate.

Can Dogs Chew on Cinnamon Sticks?

I kinda get why people ask this question. Cinnamon sticks are hard and kinda look like something a dog would like to chew. But no, don’t give cinnamon sticks to your dog. I have already explained enough reasons above but on top of those, cinnamon can irritate the mucous membrane in your dog’s mouth. Don’t feed your dog cinnamon toast crunch cereal, french toast, cinnamon rolls, or cookies that contain cinnamon.

Do Dogs Like the Smell of Cinnamon?

Dogs don’t particularly like the smell of cinnamon but it is a strong-smelling spice that is often used in nose work. You have to be careful because ground cinnamon can irritate a dog’s respiratory tract.

What Happens If My Dog Eats a Little Bit of Cinnamon?

If your dog ate a cinnamon roll or a gingerbread cookie, chances are nothing bad happens. They might have an upset stomach the next day. It all depends on how big your dog is.

Conclusion

The Internet is full of conflicting information about cinnamon. They all say cinnamon is not that bad BUT. So let’s make this simple.

Cinnamon is not good for dogs. Cinnamon contains coumarin which is toxic for the liver and a small dog can be affected with only two teaspoonfuls. Other side effects are diarrhea, vomiting, low blood sugar levels, and changes in heart rate.

Some websites claim that cinnamon has many health benefits. Then these sites link to studies that often state “we suggest that more studies are required to approve this matter“.

Pinterest dog treat recipes need to stop promoting cinnamon as a healthy spice for dogs. The reality is, that our dogs don’t need cinnamon and most likely would never consume cinnamon in the wild.