Is Cinnamon Safe For My Dog?

As we know dogs are born sniffers. Their nose is capable of smelling things from a distance and what smells stronger than spices? Fragrances of seasonings are pleasant and irresistible, and cinnamon is one such seasoning dogs just cannot hold against. You may have found your canine come sniffing, looking at you with pleading eyes while you were baking cinnamon buns.

But the question to be asked is can we offer cinnamon to dogs? Is Cinnamon safe for our canine companions? This blog briefs about whether our canines can consume cinnamon, and how useful it is for our loved animals. Read through to learn more.

What is Cinnamon?

Cinnamon is a popular spice which is home to southern America, Caribbean, and southeast Asia and originates from the branches of trees of the Cinnamomum family. Cinnamon is a non-toxic, sweet-scented herb and can be given to dogs in calculated quantities.

This seasoning has a sweet texture; it is cozy and warming, and is extensively used while preparing sweets, savory goods, bakery products, and many more recipes. Cinnamon tea is very popular and this spice is broadly used in various Indian curries as well.

Anything over one tablespoonful of cinnamon in powder form can cause adverse effects on your dogs, whereas essential oil of cinnamon can cause problems in small quantities. Moreover, small breed dogs can show sensitivity when served in smaller amounts as compared to larger breed dogs. Talk to your vet to know the accurate cinnamon quantity you can feed your dog.

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

When used in appropriate quantities, cinnamon offers many health benefits. Here's a list of the advantages of offering dogs cinnamon:

• Great source of antioxidants
• Protects against cell deformation
• Enhance cerebral functions
• Ideal for dogs with dementia
• Lowers blood sugar
• Useful in anti-fungal infections including yeast and salmonella
• Lowers swelling and reduces joint pain in aged dogs
• Keeps heart rate in check and lowers blood pressure

Dangers from Cinnamon

Consumption of cinnamon in limited quantities will not harm your pooch. However, if your dog ingests too much of the seasoning, then it is asking for trouble. Though, consuming more than normal quantities of cinnamon will not be fatal to your canine, but may cause adverse effects, such as,

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Digestive upsets
• Mouth lesions
• Reduced blood sugar
• Abnormal heart rate

If you notice any of these above-mentioned symptoms in your dog, immediately consult with your veterinarian.

Popular Cinnamon Recipes for Dogs

Dogs love cinnamon recipes and just cannot resist. Some of the popular cinnamon treats for dogs are,

• Peanut butter cupcakes
• Cinnamon heart treats
• Apple Cinnamon pie
• Cinnamon Rolls

Conclusion

Cinnamon is safe for dogs, if provided in small amounts and offers several health benefits mentioned in the earlier section of this blog. When overdosed, this seasoning can cause a few adverse reactions too. The best way to proceed with offering this herb to your canine companion is, consult with your veterinarian and follow their recommendations.