Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon?
For many people, the fine, Christmas-scented spice is a true must-have in every kitchen: Cinnamon, with its distinctive flavor, has a high recognition value and is perfect for teas, sweets, and even savory dishes like curries. But is the spice also allowed for dogs, and can our four-legged friends occasionally taste the sweet powder? The answer is: Yes and No, cinnamon is allowed for dogs in powdered form - under certain conditions and only with a specific type of cinnamon. In small amounts, cinnamon poses no danger to dogs, although there are some things to consider when feeding it.
How Do I Feed Cinnamon to My Dog?
Do our dogs even like the taste of cinnamon, and can they smell it as well as we do? Not every four-legged friend finds the scent attractive - our furry noses are unlikely to water on their own.
Because too much cinnamon can cause discomfort, you should feed it to your dog in small doses. If you want to bake [→dog cookies for Christmas,](/magazin/hunde/hunde-ernaehrung/rezeptideen-zum-selberbacken) you can use small amounts of cinnamon for flavoring. Your dog should not nibble on a whole cinnamon stick, as the dose of cinnamon would be far too high for your dog.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Zimtstangen sollten für deinen Hund tabu sein, denn bei Verzehr droht eine Überdosierung mit Cumarin, einem sekundären Pflanzenstoff, den Hund nicht gut vertragen.
It Depends on the Type
With cinnamon, one can distinguish between Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon. The former is often found in our spice shelves and is cheap to buy in any supermarket. Unfortunately, its coumarin content is very high, an aromatic, secondary plant substance that can promote liver diseases with excessive consumption. Cassia varieties have no place in a dog's bowl and can negatively affect your dog's health.
While the coumarin content in Cassia varieties is about 3-9 grams per kilogram, in Ceylon cinnamon it is only 0.8g.
If you want to bake for your four-legged friend or occasionally enhance their food, always opt for the safer Ceylon cinnamon. Although it costs more, you risk no health problems for your dog.
Can Cinnamon Be Toxic to Dogs?
Even though the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) only recommends small amounts, the organization concludes that cinnamon is not toxic to dogs. However, there is a maximum limit for coumarin, which is at 0.1 g per 1 kg of body weight. In store-bought gingerbread, there is not only →toxic chocolate for dogs, but also high amounts of regular Cassia cinnamon. If your four-legged friend consumes cinnamon-spiced sweets in large quantities, poisoning can indeed occur.
Additionally, it can lead to →stomach pain, →vomiting, →diarrhea, a low blood sugar level, and in worse cases, liver strain with subsequent diseases. The reason for this is, as mentioned earlier, the coumarin content in cinnamon, which can promote such problems with excessive consumption. If your dog sniffs cinnamon, inhaling it can irritate the lungs. As with all powders, this can lead to coughing fits and in rare cases, choking hazards.
Here it applies: Better safe than sorry - always store powders like cinnamon well sealed and out of reach of your dog. If you want to enhance your pet's food, pay attention to a small dosage with Ceylon cinnamon or better refrain from the spice altogether. Instead, you can make your dog truly happy with a species-appropriate snack without sugar, grains, and artificial additives:
Healthy Spices for Dogs
Do you want to feed spices to your dog? Your four-legged friend gets everything they need for everyday life through their →species-appropriate diet and healthy food. Unlike us humans, our dogs cannot digest heavily spiced dishes - unfortunately, their health can suffer from it. Always opt for healthy food that focuses on a short, transparent ingredient list and fresh ingredients.
If you are still wondering which spices from your spice rack are safe for your dog, you can take a look at our list "Healthy Spices for Dogs." This always involves small amounts that can be finely chopped and added as a topping to the food.
- →Healthy herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, sage, coriander, parsley
- Fennel
- Ginger
- Turmeric (Caution: blood-thinning effect)
- Dill
- Peppermint
Which Foods Can Dogs Eat?
When it comes to food, you should keep in mind that healthy dog food is specifically tailored to your dog's needs. Although the →myth that dogs can live long lives on human food persists, species-appropriate is different. Moreover, many foods are heavily spiced, processed, contain sugar, and are among other things →toxic to our furry friends.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] So wie es auch beim BARFen der Fall ist, dürfen Hunde Lebensmittel wie Obst und Gemüse in kleinen Mengen bekommen.
Some foods are healthy for our four-legged friends and can be eaten by dogs:
- Vegetables like →carrots →broccoli →pumpkin →celery →sweet potato →spinach →mushrooms →cauliflower
- Fruits like →apple →banana →orange →watermelon →blueberries →blackberries →strawberries →mangoes
Always pay attention to pesticide-free fruits and vegetables of good quality when selecting. Here it applies: Your four-legged friend can snack in moderation, but you should gradually introduce them to the plant-based treats. Due to the sugar content, excessive feeding can lead to →overweight, so you can adjust the food ration according to the →feeding recommendations if you want to regularly feed fruits and vegetables.
