Do you love the taste of cinnamon in your favorite baked goods and holiday café latte? If so, chances are you will like to toss a few bites of your cinnamon muffin to your dog every once in a while. So, Can dogs eat cinnamon? The answer is a bit tricky. Before you toss that delicious bite of your muffin to your dog, keep reading to find out if it’s safe.
Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon?
Is Cinnamon Toxic?
You will be happy to learn that cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, and it’s safe to take a deep breath of relief if your dog just ate some and you are feeling frantic about it. While cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, it doesn’t mean you should feed it to them either.
Cinnamon should not be given to dogs in large quantities because it can lead to digestive upset and discomfort, and skin irritation.
Cinnamon sticks, cinnamon essential oil, and ground cinnamon are often used in baked goods and other delicious recipes that are made for human consumption. However, if your dog was to eat these things plainly, it could cause choking, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Large quantities of cinnamon can also lead to diarrhea, vomiting, low blood sugar, liver disease, and a fluctuating heart rate. In this case, the answer to the question, “Can dog eat cinnamon?” is no, not in large dosages.
Can Dogs Eat Baked Goods With Cinnamon?
Since cinnamon is not toxic, you can give your dog a small amount of cinnamon. This doesn’t mean sprinkling it on their kibble or wet food, but it does mean you can share your favorite cinnamon-flavored baked goods with your dog from time to time.
Just beware of feeding your dog too many baked goods because it can lead to diabetes, obesity, and cause pancreatitis.
It’s essential to read the label of the baked goods to make sure it doesn’t contain any other harmful ingredients that are toxic to dogs such as the popular sweetener xylitol, chocolate or raisins.
Also, beware of nutmeg in baked goods because it’s a common ingredient that compliments cinnamon. The only difference is nutmeg is toxic to dogs. Nutmeg contains myristicin, a toxin that causes high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, hallucinations, dry mouth, disorientation, abdominal pain, and seizures.
The symptoms are linked to consuming large doses of nutmeg by accident. The best thing to do is avoid giving your dog baked goods that contain nutmeg or any other toxic ingredients.
Bottom Line
The answer to the question, “Can dogs eat cinnamon?” is a little confusing so let’s recap. You can give your dog a few bites or pieces of baked goods or food containing small amounts of cinnamon. However, feeding your dog straight cinnamon or sprinkling coconut over their food as it’s not recommended to prevent stomach upset and discomfort.
Keep in mind that while it’s safe to give your dog cinnamon, some dogs might experience an allergic reaction. Common signs of allergic reactions in dogs include itchy skin, excessive scratching, excessive licking and chewing on the paws, digestive issues, lack of energy, weight loss, and hyperactivity.
If your dog is experiencing any of the symptoms just mentioned, contact the local animal hospital or veterinarian immediately. Are you concerned about giving your dog food products that contain cinnamon? If so, an animal nutritionist or veterinarian will help answer your questions and confirm if it’s the right option for your dog.
The next time you enjoy your favorite cinnamon dessert, make sure it doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients. Then once it’s all clear, share a few tasty bites with your dog!
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