Cinnamon
CautionGround cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, and Pet Poison Helpline says it takes more than a teaspoon of powder to cause problems in most pets. Cinnamon essential oil is a different story, and inhaled powder can cause coughing and bronchospasm.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Mouth irritation
- Coughing
- Gagging
- Difficulty breathing
- Low blood sugar
- Fast heartbeat
- Lethargy
More about this food
Cinnamon is not in the grape or xylitol category. The AKC states plainly that cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, and Pet Poison Helpline puts the threshold at more than one teaspoon of powder for most pets. A dog that stole a cinnamon-dusted apple slice is a dog to watch, not a dog to rush in.
It still earns a caution rating for three reasons. First, large amounts. Pet Poison Helpline reports that large overdoses of the powder, or exposure to the essential oil, can cause low blood sugar, liver disease, vomiting, diarrhea and changes in heart rate. Second, inhalation. Dogs that snort the powder can cough, choke, have difficulty breathing and develop bronchospasm, because the spice is very irritating to the lungs. Third, the oil. VCA lists oil of cinnamon among the essential oils that are poisonous to dogs, notes that both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic, and says directly: do not induce vomiting or give activated charcoal at home. Diffuser blends, cinnamon-scented candles, simmering potpourri and fall-scented pinecones belong to that category, not to the spice-rack one.
In American kitchens cinnamon almost never arrives alone. It comes in a cinnamon roll, coffee cake, snickerdoodles, apple pie, oatmeal cookies, French toast, or a pumpkin-spice anything. The AKC's point is worth repeating: baked goods may contain xylitol, chocolate or raisins, and those are far more dangerous than the cinnamon. Xylitol causes hypoglycemia around 100 mg/kg and liver failure above 500 mg/kg, and raisins cause acute kidney injury at small amounts. Nutmeg often rides along in the same recipes. Cinnamon sticks are not a chew toy either; they irritate the mouth and can splinter.
Start by identifying what the cinnamon was in. For a bit of loose powder, offer water and watch for vomiting, diarrhea and coughing. For essential oil or potpourri, this is urgent: do not induce vomiting, wash any product off the coat with dish soap, and call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680. For a baked good, bring the packaging so someone can read the ingredient list.
Frequently asked questions
- My dog licked up some spilled cinnamon. Is that dangerous?
- Probably not. Pet Poison Helpline puts the problem threshold above one teaspoon of powder for most pets, so a small amount usually means watching for vomiting, diarrhea and coughing. Very small dogs are more sensitive, so call if the amount is unclear.
- He ate a cinnamon roll. What should I be watching for?
- The cinnamon is the least of it. Check the label for xylitol, chocolate and raisins, all of which are emergencies, and remember the butter and sugar alone can upset a small dog. Call your vet with the packaging in hand.
- Is a cinnamon diffuser or scented oil safe around my dog?
- No. VCA lists oil of cinnamon among essential oils poisonous to dogs, and both licking it and getting it on the skin can cause toxicity. Do not induce vomiting; wash exposed skin with dish soap and call your veterinarian or a poison control line right away.