FrançaisCan dogs eat cinnamon?
Cinnamon is not toxic to dogs: the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses [1]. The small amount used in most baked goods is not going to hurt a dog, but that does not make cinnamon a good treat [3]. The risks come from a large amount of powder, from cinnamon oil, and from the other ingredients of the food.
If your dog ate a lot of cinnamon powder, inhaled it, got into cinnamon oil, or ate a baked good that may contain xylitol, raisins, chocolate or nutmeg, call your vet or a pet poison line now [2]. Have the package or recipe ready, and note the amount and the time [13].
Powder, sticks, oil: where the risk really is
- Ground cinnamon: it takes a larger amount of powder to cause problems, more than 1 teaspoon for most pets according to Pet Poison Helpline [2]. Small dogs may react to smaller amounts than large dogs [3]. Call your vet or a pet poison line whatever the amount. Large overdoses can cause low blood sugar, liver disease, vomiting, diarrhea and changes in heart rate [2].
- Inhaled powder: a dog eating the dry spice can breathe it in. It is very irritating to the lungs and can cause coughing, choking, difficulty breathing and spasm of the airways (bronchospasm) [2].
- Cinnamon sticks: chewing them can irritate the mouth [3]. Sticks left in cups of cider are one of the ways pets get to cinnamon [2].
- Irritation and sensitization: cinnamon is a strong allergen. In pets, the fur protects the lips, but irritation can occur inside the mouth [2].
- Cinnamon oil: only a small amount of the essential oil is needed to cause problems [2]. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists cinnamon oil and cassia bark oil among the essential oils that can harm the liver, and says concentrated oils should never be applied to pets [4]. Cinnamon oil is also on the list of oils poisonous to cats [5]: see essential oils and cats.
- The cinnamon tree: it is sometimes kept as an indoor plant, and pets can chew on it [2]. For other houseplants, see toxic plants for dogs and cats.
Cassia, Ceylon and coumarin: what is known
There are several kinds of cinnamon. The ASPCA page is about Ceylon, or “true”, cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) [1]. Much of the cinnamon sold in the US is cassia: in one study, all cinnamon bought locally, cinnamon-flavored foods and supplements contained coumarin, and their profile pointed to Indonesian cassia [7]. True cinnamon contains only traces of coumarin, while cassia contains substantial amounts [7].
Coumarin is toxic to the liver. In people, food safety experts set a tolerable daily intake of 0.1 mg per kg of body weight, and found that some people are more sensitive to its liver effects than the animals studied [6]. Cassia cinnamon, used in cookies and sweet dishes, is the main source in the diet, and heavy users can reach that limit [6].
These are human and food-safety data. We did not find a study of coumarin from cinnamon in dogs. They are one more reason not to make cinnamon a daily “supplement” for a dog without asking the vet.
Nutmeg: the baking spice that matters more
Nutmeg, often used with cinnamon, comes from the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree and contains a toxin called myristicin [2]. Mace comes from another part of the same seed [8].
The small amount of nutmeg in a recipe is very unlikely to cause serious poisoning, though it can cause mild stomach upset [2]. After a very large amount, myristicin can cause hallucinations, disorientation, a fast heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain and possibly seizures, and signs can last up to 48 hours [2]. The AKC also lists vomiting, tremors and lack of coordination, for example after a dog empties the nutmeg shaker [8].
Most published nutmeg poisonings are in people: one US poison center recorded 32 cases over 10 years, and the toxic effects are attributed mainly to myristicin oil [9]. These are human data. If your dog ate whole nutmeg, ground nutmeg or a nutmeg-rich dish, call your vet or a pet poison line whatever the amount.
Cinnamon rolls, apple pie and other baked goods
With a cinnamon roll, a pie or a cookie, look at the whole recipe. Baked goods are high in fat, sugar and calories, and some contain xylitol, chocolate or raisins [3].
- Xylitol: this sweetener is used in sugar-free baked goods. In dogs it can cause low blood sugar and, less often, liver injury [10]. See xylitol poisoning in dogs.
- Raisins: in raisin bread or cinnamon rolls. Grapes and raisins can cause vomiting or diarrhea within 6 to 12 hours, and kidney failure within 24 to 72 hours in some dogs [11]. See grapes and raisins.
- Chocolate: it can cause heart rhythm problems and nervous signs [12]. See chocolate and dogs.
- Nutmeg: common in apple and pumpkin pie and spice mixes [2, 8].
- Fat and butter: a high-fat diet and eating table scraps are suggested risk factors for pancreatitis in dogs, although the evidence is weak [14]. See pancreatitis in dogs.
- Raw dough: yeast dough can rise in the stomach, cause painful bloating, and produce alcohol [13]. See bread dough and alcohol.
What the vet checks, and why
We found no specific test for cinnamon. The vet starts with what was eaten, how much and when, and examines the dog, including its breathing. The tests then depend on the other ingredients, because those are what can damage the blood sugar, the kidneys, the heart or the pancreas.
| If the dog ate… | What the vet may check | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A large amount of powder or cinnamon oil | Blood count and chemistry; clotting tests and repeated glucose if the liver is affected [4] | Large overdoses can cause low blood sugar and liver problems [2]; see high liver enzymes |
| Inhaled oil, or coughing and breathing problems | Chest X-rays [4] | Inhaled powder can cause coughing, choking and bronchospasm [2] |
| A baked good with xylitol | Blood glucose every 1 to 2 hours for at least 12 hours, liver enzymes every 24 hours for at least 72 hours [10] | Low blood sugar and, less often, liver injury [10]; see blood sugar in dogs |
| Raisins | Creatinine and urea (BUN), checked closely over time [11] | Creatinine tends to rise before urea when the kidneys are hurt [11]; see creatinine in dogs |
| Chocolate | ECG (heart monitoring) [12] | No readily available test confirms chocolate poisoning; the vet watches the heart rhythm [12] |
| A lot of fat (butter, cream, pastry) | Pancreatic lipase test and abdominal ultrasound if pancreatitis is suspected [15] | Fatty foods and table scraps are suggested risk factors [14] |
Other spices: none is needed, some are risky
A dog does not need spices. We found no veterinary source that lists spices as safe or useful for dogs. Cinnamon is said to have health benefits in people, but these have not been proven conclusively, and the same conclusion should not be drawn for dogs: ask your vet before giving it as a supplement [3].
Some seasonings are clearly risky. Besides nutmeg [2], onion and garlic powders are concentrated forms of Allium, the form most often behind poisoning in dogs and cats [16]: see onion and garlic toxicity. Too much salt causes vomiting within several hours, which can progress to tremors and seizures [17]: see salt poisoning in dogs.
Related articles
All foods and products toxic to pets: toxic foods for dogs and cats.
En français : cannelle et chien.
Questions to ask your veterinarian
- Which ingredient in what my dog ate worries you most?
- Does my dog need blood work, and which values will you check?
- Should the blood sugar or the kidney values be rechecked, and when?
- Are my dog’s breathing and heart rhythm normal?
- Is any spice or flavoring safe to use in my dog’s food or treats?
Get your dog’s blood results explained.
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Frequently asked questions
What are toxic spices for dogs?
Nutmeg contains myristicin, which can cause disorientation, a fast heart rate and seizures after a very large amount [2]. Onion and garlic powders are concentrated forms that most often cause Allium poisoning [16], and too much salt causes vomiting, tremors and seizures [17]. Cinnamon itself is listed as non-toxic [1], but its oil and large amounts of powder can cause problems [2].
Is cinnamon safe for dogs?
It is not toxic: the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs [1]. That does not make it a good treat. Large amounts of powder or the oil can cause vomiting, diarrhea, low blood sugar and liver problems, and inhaled powder irritates the lungs [2]. Health benefits in dogs have not been shown [3].
Can dogs eat cinnamon rolls or apple pie?
The cinnamon in them is unlikely to hurt, but these foods are fatty and sugary, and some contain xylitol, raisins or chocolate [3]. Apple and pumpkin pies can also contain nutmeg [2, 8]. Raw roll dough can rise in the stomach and produce alcohol [13]. Check the recipe and call your vet if any of these is in it.
What happens if a dog eats nutmeg?
A small amount in a recipe is very unlikely to cause serious poisoning, but can upset the stomach [2]. A very large amount can cause hallucinations, disorientation, a fast heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain and possibly seizures, lasting up to 48 hours [2]. Call your vet or a pet poison line whatever the amount.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Cinnamon. aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/cinnamon
- Flint C, Angle C. Nutmeg and Cinnamon Toxicity. Pet Poison Helpline, updated 2026. petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/nutmeg-cinnamon-toxicity
- Burke A. Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon? American Kennel Club, updated 2026. akc.org/expert-advice/ask-akc/can-dogs-eat-cinnamon
- Benson K. Toxicoses From Essential Oils in Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, reviewed 2025. merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/toxicoses-from-household-hazards/toxicoses-from-essential-oils-in-animals
- Schmid R, Brutlag A, Flint C. Essential oil and liquid potpourri poisoning in cats. Pet Poison Helpline for VCA Animal Hospitals, 2026. vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/essential-oil-and-liquid-potpourri-poisoning-in-cats
- Abraham K, Wöhrlin F, Lindtner O, Heinemeyer G, Lampen A. Toxicology and risk assessment of coumarin: focus on human data. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2010;54(2):228-239. doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200900281
- Wang YH, Avula B, Nanayakkara NP, Zhao J, Khan IA. Cassia cinnamon as a source of coumarin in cinnamon-flavored food and food supplements in the United States. J Agric Food Chem. 2013;61(18):4470-4476. doi.org/10.1021/jf4005862
- Reisen J. Can Dogs Eat Nutmeg? American Kennel Club, updated 2025. akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-my-dog-eat-nutmeg
- Ehrenpreis JE, DesLauriers C, Lank P, Armstrong PK, Leikin JB. Nutmeg poisonings: a retrospective review of 10 years experience from the Illinois Poison Center, 2001-2011. J Med Toxicol. 2014;10(2):148-151. doi.org/10.1007/s13181-013-0379-7
- Hayes C. Xylitol Toxicosis in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual, updated 2025. merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/xylitol-toxicosis-in-dogs
- Hayes C. Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind Toxicosis in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual, updated 2024. merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/grape-raisin-and-tamarind-vitis-spp-tamarindus-spp-toxicosis-in-dogs
- Hayes C. Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, updated 2026. merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/chocolate-toxicosis-in-animals
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
- Cridge H et al. New insights into the etiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of pancreatitis in dogs: potential impacts on clinical practice. J Vet Intern Med. 2022;36(3):847-864. doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16437
- Cridge H et al. Advances in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2021;35(6):2572-2587. doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16292
- Hayes C. Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, updated 2024. merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/garlic-and-onion-allium-spp-toxicosis-in-animals
- Thompson LJ. Salt Toxicosis in Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, reviewed 2022, updated 2024. merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/salt-toxicosis/salt-toxicosis-in-animals
Laboratory methods and reference intervals vary. This article explains; it does not diagnose. For a decision about your pet, use the original report and talk to your veterinarian. Our editorial policy.