Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon?
A pinch of cinnamon in a dog treat is fine. A spilled jar of powder or a bottle of cinnamon oil is not. How much is too much, the signs, and the cinnamon foods to keep away from dogs.
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A small amount of cinnamon won’t hurt a dog. The free Dog Toxic-Foods Checker lists cinnamon as Caution: “Not truly toxic, but large amounts irritate the mouth and stomach and can affect blood sugar.” Its advice: “A trace in a treat is fine; avoid piles of the powder.”
This page covers how much is too much, why cinnamon oil is a different story, and the cinnamon foods that cause more trouble than the spice itself.
How much cinnamon is a problem
Pet Poison Helpline says it takes a larger amount of cinnamon powder to cause problems: more than about a teaspoon of powder for most pets. Small dogs may react to less. A pinch baked into a homemade dog treat is far below that.
When dogs do get into a lot of cinnamon, Pet Poison Helpline lists these possible effects:
- Irritation of the mouth (chewing cinnamon sticks can do this too)
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Low blood sugar
- Changes in heart rate
- Liver problems with large amounts
Inhaled powder and cinnamon oil
Inhaled powder is its own problem. Pet Poison Helpline warns that breathing in cinnamon powder irritates the lungs and can cause coughing, choking and difficulty breathing. Dogs who stick their nose in a spilled jar, or knock one over, can inhale a lot of it. Trouble breathing is an emergency.
Cinnamon essential oil is far more concentrated than the powder and can cause problems in much smaller amounts. Keep oils, diffuser refills and cinnamon-scented products out of reach.
If your dog ate a lot of powder, inhaled it, or got into cinnamon oil, call your vet or a poison line: ASPCA (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.
The cinnamon foods to skip
Most of the time, the risk isn’t the cinnamon but the food it’s in:
- Cinnamon rolls, buns and pastries: sugar and butter, sometimes raisins, and sugar-free versions may contain xylitol (xylitol). Raw roll dough is a yeast dough, which is toxic on its own (raw bread dough).
- Horchata: sweetened, often with milk (milk).
- Rice pudding: sugar and milk, and sometimes raisins (grapes and raisins).
- Pumpkin spice, pies and holiday baking: sugar, fat and nutmeg, which is a concern in larger amounts (pumpkin pie).
- Cinnamon gum and candy: sugar, and sometimes xylitol.
- Cinnamon coffee drinks: caffeine (coffee).
Cinnamon in dog treats
A pinch of cinnamon in a homemade dog biscuit or a pumpkin treat is fine for most dogs. Keep it to a pinch per batch, use plain ground cinnamon rather than oil, and skip it for a dog with a sensitive stomach. The free food safety chart puts the whole Safe / Caution / Never list on the fridge.
Frequently asked questions
- How much cinnamon is toxic to a dog?
- Pet Poison Helpline says it takes a larger amount of cinnamon powder to cause problems, more than about a teaspoon of powder for most pets, and small dogs may react to less. Cinnamon essential oil is far more concentrated and can cause problems in much smaller amounts. A pinch baked into a treat is well below any concern.
- My dog ate cinnamon powder. What should I do?
- If it was a lick or a pinch, watch for mouth irritation or a mild upset stomach. If your dog ate a lot of powder, inhaled it (coughing, choking or trouble breathing), or got into cinnamon oil, call your vet or a poison line: ASPCA (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Pet Poison Helpline lists low blood sugar, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in heart rate and liver problems among the effects of large amounts.
- Can dogs eat cinnamon rolls or cinnamon toast?
- It's better not to. The cinnamon is the smallest worry: cinnamon rolls and pastries are sugary and buttery, some contain raisins, and sugar-free versions may contain xylitol. Raw cinnamon-roll dough is a yeast dough, which is toxic on its own. If your dog stole a cinnamon roll, check the label for raisins, xylitol, chocolate or nutmeg and call your vet if any are listed.
- Can dogs have horchata or rice pudding with cinnamon?
- Skip them. Horchata and rice pudding are sweetened, often made with milk, and rice pudding sometimes includes raisins, which can cause kidney failure in dogs. A lick is unlikely to cause harm, but don't share them on purpose.
Educational content only — not veterinary or professional behavior advice. Consult your vet, or a certified trainer or behaviorist, for your pet. Read the full disclaimer →