Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon? Safety, Risks, and Holiday Tips

Yes, dogs can have a small amount of cinnamon, because plain cinnamon is not toxic to dogs. That said, it is not a treat you need to add to your dog’s bowl, and large amounts of the powder, chewed cinnamon sticks, and cinnamon essential oil can all cause real problems. The bigger danger in fall is usually what the cinnamon comes with: nutmeg, xylitol, raisins, chocolate, and rich, sugary baked goods.

Cinnamon shows up everywhere this time of year, from pumpkin spice everything to apple pie, cider, and holiday cookies. Here is what happens if your dog gets into it, which cinnamon foods to keep off the menu, and when to call your vet.

Is Cinnamon Toxic to Dogs?

No. According to the American Kennel Club, cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, and your dog will not suffer fatal toxic effects from eating too much of the spice. PetMD agrees that a small amount of cinnamon is not toxic for dogs.

Not toxic is not the same as good for your dog, though. Cinnamon can irritate the skin, mouth, and digestive tract. Your dog gets everything it needs from a complete and balanced dog food, so there is no reason to sprinkle cinnamon on kibble.

How Much Cinnamon Is Too Much?

The AKC cites the Pet Poison Helpline, which says it takes more than one teaspoon of cinnamon powder to cause problems for most pets. Essential oils can cause problems at much lower amounts, and small dogs may react to less than large dogs.

That number is a warning threshold, not a serving size. It is meant to help you judge an accident, like a dog that licked up a spilled jar, not to tell you how much to feed. The safest plan is to treat cinnamon as something your dog only meets by accident in tiny amounts.

According to the AKC and PetMD, larger amounts of cinnamon powder or exposure to the oil can lead to:

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Changes in heart rate
• Low blood sugar
• Liver disease
• Irritation inside the mouth

The Different Forms of Cinnamon, Ranked by Risk

Cinnamon in a bite of baked goods

The AKC says the small amount of cinnamon used in most baked goods is not going to hurt your dog. The problem is the rest of the recipe, which we cover below.

Ground cinnamon powder

A dog that gets into the spice cabinet can eat or inhale a lot of powder quickly. Inhaled cinnamon is very irritating to the lungs. PetMD notes it can cause coughing, choking, lung irritation, and difficulty breathing.

Cinnamon sticks

Chewing on cinnamon sticks can irritate your dog’s mouth. Sticks often end up in mugs of cider, potpourri bowls, and fall decorations, all at nose height for a curious dog. PetMD recommends keeping your dog away from cinnamon sticks used in cider or for decoration, and calling your vet if your dog chews one up.

Cinnamon essential oil

This is the form to take most seriously. Essential oil is highly concentrated, and the AKC notes that oils can cause problems at much lower amounts than the powder. PetMD advises against diffusing cinnamon oil around pets, so do not run cinnamon oil in a diffuser in a home with a dog or cat, and store oils where your pets cannot reach them. If your dog ingests or inhales cinnamon oil, contact your vet right away.

Cinnamon Foods to Keep Away From Your Dog

Most cinnamon problems in dogs are really problems with the foods cinnamon is baked into. Watch for these during fall and the holidays:

• Anything with nutmeg. Nutmeg is often paired with cinnamon in pumpkin spice blends and pies. It contains myristicin, which the AKC says can cause disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, abdominal pain, and even seizures in large amounts.
• Sugar-free baked goods. Some contain xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs. Always check the label.
• Cinnamon raisin bread and bagels. Raisins are toxic to dogs. Our guide on whether dogs can eat grapes explains why grapes and raisins are so dangerous.
• Chocolate cinnamon treats. Mexican hot chocolate, mocha drinks, and chocolate cookies add chocolate to the mix. See can dogs eat chocolate for the warning signs.
• Raw cinnamon roll dough. PetMD warns that raw yeast dough is very dangerous for dogs.
• Cinnamon rolls, pies, and cookies. Even without toxic ingredients, these are high in fat, sugar, and butter. PetMD notes they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis.
• Pumpkin spice lattes. Coffee drinks bring caffeine and sugar along with the spice, and the ASPCA lists caffeine among the people foods pets should avoid.

Halloween adds its own risks, since candy bowls and cinnamon treats often sit side by side. Our article on whether dogs can eat candy corn covers what to do if your dog raids the candy stash.

What to Do If Your Dog Ate Cinnamon

1. Stay calm and figure out what was eaten. Was it a bite of a cookie, a pile of powder, a stick, or essential oil? Check the package or recipe for nutmeg, xylitol, raisins, or chocolate.
2. Move your dog away from any remaining spice so it does not eat or inhale more.
3. Call your veterinarian if your dog ate a large amount of cinnamon, inhaled powder, chewed a cinnamon stick, or got into essential oil. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply).
4. Do not make your dog vomit at home unless a vet tells you to. PetMD specifically warns against inducing vomiting at home.
5. Watch for symptoms such as coughing, trouble breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or redness in the mouth, and tell your vet about any changes.

If your dog ate a single bite of a plain cinnamon cookie with no toxic ingredients, it will most likely be fine. When you are not sure what was in it, the call is worth making.

Safer Fall Treats for Your Dog

You do not need cinnamon to give your dog a taste of the season. A few dog-friendly options, served plain and in small portions:

• Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling, which is spiced and sweetened). Learn more in our guide on whether dogs can eat pumpkin.
• Apple slices with the core and seeds removed. Our article on can dogs eat apples walks through how to serve them.
• Plain cooked sweet potato, peeled and unseasoned. See can dogs eat sweet potatoes for serving tips.
• Treats made for dogs. A treat formulated for dogs is a better choice than sharing your pastry.

Treats of any kind should stay a small part of your dog’s diet. If your dog has diabetes, a sensitive stomach, or a health condition, ask your vet before trying something new.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat cinnamon rolls?

It is best not to share them. Cinnamon rolls are high in sugar, fat, and butter, and some recipes contain nutmeg, raisins, or xylitol. Raw cinnamon roll dough is especially dangerous because of the yeast. If your dog stole one, check the ingredients and call your vet.

Is cinnamon applesauce safe for dogs?

Plain, unsweetened applesauce is the better choice. Flavored applesauce can contain added sugar and other spices, and sugar-free versions may contain xylitol. Read the label before your dog gets a lick.

Can dogs eat pumpkin spice?

Pumpkin spice blends usually include nutmeg along with cinnamon, so skip them. Pumpkin spice drinks and baked goods also add sugar, dairy, or caffeine. Plain canned pumpkin with nothing added is the dog-friendly way to share the flavor of the season.

Is cinnamon good for dogs?

Cinnamon has a reputation for health benefits in people, but the AKC says those benefits have not been proven conclusively, and we should not assume the same for dogs. If you are thinking about cinnamon as a supplement, talk to your vet first.

What if my dog inhaled cinnamon powder?

Inhaled cinnamon can cause coughing, choking, and difficulty breathing. Move your dog away from the powder and call your veterinarian right away, especially if your dog is struggling to breathe or keeps coughing.

The Bottom Line

Cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, and a tiny amount in a stolen bite of food is rarely a crisis. Keep the spice jar, cinnamon sticks, and especially cinnamon essential oil out of reach, and be most careful with cinnamon baked goods that may also contain nutmeg, xylitol, raisins, or chocolate. When in doubt, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

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