Can my dog eat cinnamon?
Can dogs eat cinnamon?Not needed
Not toxic, but unnecessary. The risks are cinnamon oil, inhaled powder and sweet baked goods with cinnamon.
Cinnamon isn't toxic to dogs, but your dog doesn't need it. The ASPCA lists cinnamon as non-toxic, and according to the AKC the small amount in baked goods does no harm. Problems come from inhaled powder, larger amounts (more than a teaspoon for most animals, according to the Pet Poison Helpline) and above all cinnamon oil. Cinnamon star biscuits, gingerbread and cinnamon rolls are off limits because of the sugar, fat and possible ingredients such as raisins or xylitol.
Good to know
Nibbled cinnamon, inhaled the powder or got hold of cinnamon oil?
A bite of a baked treat with a little cinnamon isn't an emergency because of the cinnamon. Pay more attention to whether it contained raisins, xylitol (birch sugar) or chocolate – if so, call your vet immediately. If your dog has eaten a larger amount of cinnamon powder, chewed on a cinnamon stick, inhaled powder or licked cinnamon oil, call your vet too. Don't induce vomiting. Wash oil off the coat or skin quickly with washing-up liquid, and take the bottle with you to the vet.
Possible symptoms
- Redness or irritation in the mouth
- Coughing, gagging or difficulty breathing after inhaling powder
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Changes in heart rate
- After cinnamon oil: drooling and pawing at the mouth
- After cinnamon oil: weakness, trembling or an unsteady gait
When to see a vet?
Immediately after contact with cinnamon oil, even without symptoms. Likewise after a larger amount of cinnamon powder, after a chewed cinnamon stick, or if your dog coughs or has difficulty breathing after inhaling powder. If the baked goods contained raisins or xylitol, call straight away: xylitol can cause severely low blood sugar within just 30 to 60 minutes.
From what amount?
According to the Pet Poison Helpline, it takes more than a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to cause problems in most animals, whereas with the essential oil even a small amount is enough. According to the AKC, small dogs may react to less. The sources don't give an exact limit by body weight.
In an emergency: call your vet or an animal hospital
Outside opening hours, an emergency vet service or an animal hospital can help. Note down the amount, the time and the packaging, and don't try to make your dog vomit yourself. Poison information centres mainly advise on poisoning in people and only help with animals when they have capacity – the first point of contact for your dog is your vet.
What to watch out for
- Cinnamon powder and cinnamon sticks can irritate the mouth. Cinnamon can also cause sensitisation, so that redness and irritation occur with repeated contact. In animals, this tends to show in the mouth rather than on the lips.
- Inhaled powder irritates the lungs and can cause coughing, gagging, difficulty breathing and bronchial spasms – for example if your dog licks up spilt cinnamon.
- Large amounts of powder – more than a teaspoon for most animals, according to the Pet Poison Helpline – can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, low blood sugar, changes in heart rate and liver disease. According to the AKC, small dogs may react to less.
- Cinnamon oil is considerably more dangerous than powder; even a small amount can cause problems. VCA counts cinnamon oil among the essential oils that are toxic to dogs, both by mouth and through the skin.
- According to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), cassia cinnamon contains considerably more coumarin than Ceylon cinnamon. Coumarin can damage the liver in particularly sensitive people. The sources give no veterinary amount for dogs on this.
- Cinnamon star biscuits, gingerbread, cinnamon rolls and cinnamon waffles are high in sugar and fat. Baked goods like these can upset the stomach and possibly trigger pancreatitis.
- Baked goods can contain raisins, xylitol (birch sugar), chocolate, macadamia nuts or nutmeg. Raisins and xylitol are toxic to dogs, and so is nutmeg in large amounts.
- Raw yeast dough, for example for cinnamon rolls, is dangerous if your dog eats larger amounts of it.
What to keep in mind day to day
What to look out for
- Store cinnamon, cinnamon sticks and spice mixes high up and closed
- Wipe up spilt cinnamon straight away, before your dog licks it up
- Keep cinnamon oil and fragrance oils out of reach
- Keep cinnamon sticks from punch or mulled wine mugs and from decorations away from your dog
- Don't leave plates of biscuits and Christmas baking unattended
- Bake dog biscuits without cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar
Better not
- Sprinkling cinnamon over the food or giving it as a home remedy
- Sharing cinnamon star biscuits, gingerbread, cinnamon rolls or cinnamon waffles
- Using cinnamon oil in a diffuser if your dog lives in the household
- Applying cinnamon oil or other essential oils to the coat, not even against ticks
- Cinnamon capsules or other dietary supplements meant for people
- Inducing vomiting yourself after contact with cinnamon oil
How often?
Not deliberately. According to the AKC, the small amount of cinnamon in a pinched biscuit does no harm, but your dog doesn't need cinnamon as a seasoning in its bowl.
Frequently asked questions about cinnamon
Is Ceylon cinnamon better for dogs than cassia cinnamon?
The ASPCA lists Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) as non-toxic to dogs; the Pet Poison Helpline talks about cinnamon in general. According to the BfR, cassia cinnamon contains considerably more coumarin, which can damage the liver in particularly sensitive people. No amount is given for dogs. As powder, the types are hard to tell apart. Your dog doesn't need either of them.
How much cinnamon is toxic to dogs?
According to the Pet Poison Helpline, it takes more than a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to cause problems in most animals, whereas with cinnamon oil even small amounts can. According to the AKC, small dogs may be more sensitive. A pinch that falls off the kitchen table isn't an emergency.
Can dogs eat cinnamon star biscuits or gingerbread?
No. Christmas baking is high in sugar and fat and can upset the stomach or trigger pancreatitis. It may also contain raisins, xylitol (birch sugar), chocolate or nuts. Nutmeg, which is often used together with cinnamon, is toxic in large amounts. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, the small amount in biscuits is very unlikely to cause serious poisoning, but it can cause a mild stomach upset.
Can dogs eat cinnamon rolls, cinnamon waffles or biscuits with cinnamon?
No. The cinnamon in them isn't the problem, but the sugar, butter and fat are. Some recipes also contain nutmeg, raisins or xylitol. Raw yeast dough for cinnamon rolls is dangerous in larger amounts.
My dog has chewed on a cinnamon stick. Is that bad?
Cinnamon sticks can irritate and redden the mouth. PetMD advises contacting your vet straight away after a chewed cinnamon stick. So call and describe how much is missing.
Can my dog eat cinnamon sugar or rice pudding with cinnamon?
No. Cinnamon sugar is unhealthy and can upset the stomach. With rice pudding, there's also the milk: according to the Pet Poison Helpline, many animals don't tolerate lactose well. Ready-made porridge and apple sauce with cinnamon aren't for your dog either, because of the sugar and possible additives such as nutmeg or xylitol.
Is the smell of cinnamon bad for dogs, for example from fragrance oil or a diffuser?
The oil is the risky part. According to PetMD, essential oils, including cinnamon oil, are not safe to eat or to inhale, so PetMD advises against using a diffuser in a household with a dog. Fragrance oils and liquid air fresheners with cinnamon belong out of reach: according to VCA, dogs can be poisoned if they taste them, lick leaking bottles or lick the oil off their coat.
Can I put cinnamon oil on my dog's coat against ticks?
No. According to VCA, cinnamon oil is one of the essential oils that are toxic to dogs, including through the skin. VCA advises never applying an undiluted essential oil to an animal. Discuss tick protection with your vet.
Is cinnamon healthy for dogs, for example with diabetes?
There's no evidence for this. According to the AKC, the health effects of cinnamon haven't been conclusively proven even in people, and this can't simply be transferred to dogs. If your dog has diabetes, its treatment belongs with your vet. According to the BfR, cinnamon capsules for people can contain a lot of cassia cinnamon, and they don't belong in the bowl.
My dog has licked up some cinnamon. Do I need to go to the vet?
Usually not for a small amount. Keep an eye on your dog. Call your vet if it has got hold of a larger amount (about a teaspoon, or less for small dogs), coughs, has difficulty breathing or shows redness in the mouth. With cinnamon oil, call straight away.
Why is cinnamon in some dog treats?
According to PetMD, manufacturers mainly advertise its antioxidants. But there's no evidence of a benefit for dogs; according to the AKC, the effects haven't been conclusively proven even in people. Your dog doesn't need treats with cinnamon.
Can I bake dog biscuits with cinnamon?
Just leave the cinnamon out – dog biscuits don't need it. Nutmeg, sugar and xylitol don't belong in them either, and raisins and chocolate certainly don't.
Similar foods
- NoOtherCarawayAccording to the ASPCA, caraway is toxic to dogs, usually causing mild vomiting or diarrhoea.See the answer
- NoFruitGrapesGrapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs.See the answer
- YesFruitAppleWithout the core, seeds and stalk, cut into slices or small pieces.See the answer
- In moderationGrains & sidesOatsPlain and cooked in water, in small amounts and no more than twice a week.See the answer
- In moderationGrains & sidesRuskOnly plain rusks without chocolate or raisins, and rarely, because of the sugar and calories.See the answer
Sources
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Cinnamon – ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Nutmeg and Cinnamon Toxicity – Pet Poison Helpline
- Pumpkin Spice – Naughty or Nice? – Pet Poison Helpline
- Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon? – American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Can Dogs Have Cinnamon? – PetMD (vet-reviewed)
- Essential Oil and Liquid Potpourri Poisoning in Dogs – VCA Animal Hospitals
- Fragen und Antworten zu Cumarin in Zimt und anderen Lebensmitteln – Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR)
- Vergiftungssteckbrief Xylit – TFA-Wissen
Reviewed on · DoggoMeal editorial team
This page is no substitute for veterinary advice. Dogs with pre-existing conditions – for example of the kidneys, liver or pancreas, or with diabetes – and dogs with allergies often need their own rules. If your dog has symptoms or you're unsure, ask your vet.
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