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Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon?

Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Yes, your dog can eat cinnamon in small quantities, but you must proceed with caution. While this spice is a staple in many dishes and baked goods, it’s often paired with ingredients such as raisins, nutmeg, macadamia nuts, chocolate and artificial sweeteners such as xylitol that can be toxic to dogs. Many baked goods are also high in sugar, and that’s unhealthy for dogs, too. Remember, snacks and treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your pet’s total daily calories.

Cinnamon is a common ingredient in many seasonal dishes that you may enjoy sharing with friends and family, and your pup may object to being left out. Plus, if you have people over for meals, monitoring your pet to ensure they don’t eat any human foods can be difficult. If you’re considering questions like “Can dogs eat cinnamon applesauce?” or “Can dogs eat cinnamon rolls?” the answer is only if you’ve prepared them yourself using pet-safe ingredients. If you’re worried about your dog being around store-bought foods containing cinnamon, scrutinize the ingredients beforehand to ensure they are all dog-friendly.

Be sure to consult your veterinarian before introducing your dog to any new food—especially if they’re on medication, have weight issues or other underlying medical problems, or are prone to food sensitivities.

Is cinnamon good for dogs?

The jury is still out on this one. While some studies hint that cinnamon can help lower blood sugar levels and decrease inflammation in humans, similar studies have not yet demonstrated these same health benefits in dogs. Before offering your dog any supplement, medication or new food that might potentially offer health benefits, consult your veterinarian.

Can dogs eat cinnamon sticks? No. Essential oils containing cinnamon should be avoided, too. Chewing on cinnamon sticks or consuming cinnamon essential oils can irritate your dog’s mouth and cause digestive upset.

Can dogs eat ground cinnamon? Dogs should never eat straight ground cinnamon, as they can inhale it and then cough, choke or have problems breathing. While it is safe for dogs to consume small amounts of ground cinnamon in prepared foods as an occasional treat, it‘s best to make the treats yourself or buy ones that are specifically formulated for pets so you know what other ingredients they contain. While cinnamon can add delicious flavor to foods that are appropriate for dogs, it’s unlikely to provide any impactful health benefits for them.

How to Feed Cinnamon to Your Dog

Colder weather tends to make us all crave comfort food such as warm baked goods. However, pet parents should always be aware that treats like these should make up no more than 10 percent of their pup’s total daily caloric intake to prevent overconsumption that can lead to obesity. These foods generally offer no nutritional benefits to your dog and should not be given every day. If you don’t want your dog to feel left out when it comes to snack time, here are some safe ways to allow your pet to indulge. Remember, even with pet-safe foods, you should check with your veterinarian before offering your pet any new treats.

  • Homemade dog biscuits Adding a small pinch of cinnamon to your homemade dog biscuits adds a tasty flavor to your dog’s treat while filling your home with a delightful aroma
  • Combine canned pumpkin and cinnamon This classic fall combination may spark the question, “Can dogs eat cinnamon?”Adding a pinch of cinnamon to canned pumpkin can be a great way to give your dog a taste of that pumpkin pie flavor without toxic ingredients such as nutmeg or copious amounts of sugar. Plain canned pumpkin contains fiber and other beneficial nutrients. When offered in small amounts, that fiber can help keep dogs’ stools regular. Be sure that you use 100 percent pumpkin puree— not pumpkin pie filling—and that your dog always has access to drinking water when eating pumpkin. Fiber absorbs moisture and can be dehydrating to the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Add it to apples Do you like sharing snacks with your dog? If you can’t resist them when they beg for a taste of whatever you’re eating, sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top of an apple slice. Dogs usually love apples’ satisfying crunch, so this can be an extra-tasty dog-safe snack. Another common food that’s often combined with cinnamon is applesauce. Many pet parents wonder, “Can dogs eat cinnamon applesauce?” This food can offer your dog an exciting texture and taste, as long as you make sure that it doesn’t contain potentially dog-toxic ingredients like excess sugar, lemon juice or nutmeg. When providing human foods like applesauce to pets, play it safe with plain and simple ingredients.

FAQs about feeding your dog cinnamon

Now that you’ve found the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat cinnamon?” you may be wondering how much is OK for your pup. You should limit your dog’s consumption of cinnamon to no more than a teaspoon a day. If your dog is small, you should use even less. If your dog eats more than a teaspoon, they may experience some intestinal discomfort, so contact your vet if this occurs.

When it comes to adding seasoning to your dog’s food, be extremely cautious, especially with blends, since many contain ingredients like onion or garlic powder that are toxic for dogs. Always read the ingredients on the label thoroughly. Besides cinnamon, some spices dogs can enjoy in limited quantities include:

  • Basil In small amounts, this spice may help decrease inflammation, add a rich flavor your dog may enjoy and may even have calming effects. Too much of it, however, can lead to diarrhea, and some dogs may show signs of allergic reaction to basil, including vomiting, itchy skin and lethargy
    • Ginger Ginger may help with nausea and upset stomach. It is also purported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may stimulate blood circulation. Although side effects are uncommon in dogs, some pets may experience skin sensitivity, including redness, itchiness or gastrointestinal upset, when they consume excess ginger
  • Turmeric This savory spice can be added in small amounts to your dog’s meal to enhance flavor. While it may have anti-inflammatory benefits for humans, these benefits haven’t been proven in pets. Excess turmeric consumption in dogs, as in people, may cause stomach upset

    • Keep in mind that all of these spices should be used sparingly and never as a treatment or supplement without first consulting your vet.

    A surprising number of pet parents wonder, “Can dogs eat cinnamon cereal?” The answer is yes, although it has no nutritional value for dogs and contains a lot of sugar, so it is especially inappropriate for diabetic dogs. Be aware, too, that some cinnamon cereals may contain ingredients, like raisins or chocolate, that are toxic to dogs. However, sneaking a healthy dog a square or two of Cinnamon Toast Crunch once in a while typically won’t hurt.

    Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

    Petco’s ACE team is a passionate group of experienced pet care experts dedicated to supporting the overall health & wellness of pets. The ACE team works to develop animal care operations and standards across the organization and promote proper animal care and education for Pet Care Center partners and pet parents, while also ensuring regulatory compliance.