Is cinnamon good or bad for dogs?
The good news is that cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, and your dog will not suffer fatal toxic effects from eating some. The Pet Poison Helpline notes it takes more than a teaspoon of powder to cause problems for most pets, though essential oils cause problems at much lower doses and small-breed dogs are more sensitive. Inhaling the powder can cause coughing, choking, and lung irritation. Nutmeg, often used alongside cinnamon, is genuinely toxic.
How much cinnamon can a dog have?
There is no reason to dose cinnamon on purpose. The amount baked into a plain dog treat is fine; more than about a teaspoon of powder is where problems start. Small-breed dogs are sensitive at lower doses.
How to prepare it
If it is in a baked dog treat made for dogs, that amount is fine. Do not season your dog's food with cinnamon, and keep cinnamon essential oil and nutmeg away from dogs entirely.
Watch out for
- Inhaling cinnamon powder can cause coughing, choking, lung irritation, and difficulty breathing
- Cinnamon essential oil is toxic to dogs at much lower doses than the powder
- Large amounts cause vomiting, diarrhea, and low blood sugar in some pets
- Cinnamon baked goods, cereal, and oatmeal carry sugar, butter, fat, and sometimes xylitol
- Nutmeg — a common baking partner — contains myristicin and is toxic to dogs
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FAQs
Is cinnamon toxic to dogs?
No, cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, unlike nutmeg. Your dog will not suffer fatal toxic effects from eating cinnamon, but a large amount can still make them uncomfortable.
How much cinnamon is too much for a dog?
The Pet Poison Helpline states it takes more than one teaspoon of powder to cause problems for most pets. Essential oils cause problems at much lower doses, and small-breed dogs may react to less.
My dog ate cinnamon. What should I do?
Don't panic, but do call your veterinarian. Cinnamon is not fatal to dogs, but the side effects of too much can be uncomfortable, and your vet will want to know how much and what form.
Can dogs eat cinnamon baked goods?
The small amount of cinnamon in most baked goods won't hurt your dog, but human baked goods are not a good idea — sugar, butter, and fat make them unhealthy for dogs.
Can dogs eat cinnamon cereal or cinnamon oatmeal?
No. Both typically contain a lot of sugar, preservatives, and additives, and some brands may contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs.