Dog owners now need to be cautious with some food products. There are a number of common herbs that we use in cooking that actually contain chemical compounds in quantities that are dangerous to dogs but benign to us. Hence, we recommend you consult such things with your vet, before introducing a new food or treat to your dog. You might be interested in learning which products are especially toxic for animals. Is cinnamon one of them? Now, let us see its safety profile.
Is Cinnamon Safe For Dogs?
You might be worried if you find that your dog has eaten food with cinnamon in it during the holiday season. Many of the plants we use as spices are toxic for dogs. So what about cinnamon? Is cinnamon safe for dogs? Luckily, cinnamon falls into the safe category. So, dogs can eat cinnamon, but cinnamon powders do not contain anything toxic that would harm your dog. But is it healthy for dogs to eat cinnamon? That is an entirely different question. So how does cinnamon affect a dog’s health, and is it worth your canine adding this spice to its diet? Let’s see.
Health Benefits Of Cinnamon For Dogs
A small dash of cinnamon will not harm your body. Cinnamon contains some health benefits, both for humans and dogs, according to some research. One of the main things experts noticed is that the substance that cinnamon contains has a hypotensive effect. Peripheral vasodilation due to cinnamaldehyde lowers the blood pressure of dogs. Cinnamon likewise has antioxidative and anti-pathogenic activity. So, is it a good idea to give your dog some cinnamon? Yes, but dog owners should be aware that there are certain risks associated with using cinnamon in a dog’s diet.
When Is Cinnamon Bad For Dogs?
Dogs can eat cinnamon; however, specialists do not recommend this food product. Cinnamon does not have any toxic substance, but it has its risks. Dogs can inhale powdered cinnamon, as it can become airborne, which can lead to coughing, sneezing, and other harmful responses. Excess cinnamon ingestion can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and other side effects in dogs. Cinnamon can lower a dog’s blood sugar levels significantly as well, and that is also dangerous.
In addition, dogs should not chew cinnamon sticks because they can irritate their mouth and also become a choking hazard. Cinnamon can also cause an allergic response. For this reason, experts say that dog owners need to be extra cautious and avoid unsupervised use of cinnamon with dogs. Cinnamon is also frequently used in spice mixes or food products along with other spices. This is why, besides cinnamon, keep your dog away from anything containing chocolate and nutmeg, too, as these are really harmful.
Summary
Dogs can eat cinnamon. This spice is good for human health and also that of dogs. But, it is not advised to feed dogs cinnamon without prompting due to the considerable risk of side effects. Cinnamon should not do any harm to your dog as long as it eats a bit, but first, it is better to call a vet and ask about it.
Source
- Fatemeh Shirzad, Negar Morovatdar, Ramin Rezaee, Konstantinos Tsarouhas, Alireza Abdollahi Moghadam (2021). Cinnamon effects on blood pressure and metabolic profile: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with stage 1 hypertension.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7885002/
