Your Cart is Empty
Here at Cooper's Treats, cinnamon is one of our favorite spices, whether it's dusted on a latte or part of some snickerdoodles. The smell is wonderful, and the taste can really add something great when you're baking. So let's take a look at what you're really wondering - can dogs eat cinnamon?
First, it's important to note that there are different varieties of cinnamon, and the one that's safest for them to eat is called Ceylon cinnamon (it's also know as true cinnamon). Ceylon cinnamon is non toxic and fine to feed to your dog, as long as you do so in relatively small quantities.
Of course, as you've probably guessed, we use cinnamon in our Turkey and Cinnamon Pupsicle Mix, and we always make sure to use Ceylon cinnamon in our mix. We'd never put anything in our treats that isn't okay for your pup!
Cinnamon has a number of benefits for dogs. It has anti-inflammatory properties that will help with things like muscle soreness, joint pain and swelling, particularly with older dogs that may have conditions like arthritis. Beyond that, it is rich in antioxidants and can help improve neurological functions as well as prevent neurological disorders. Because cinnamon has antibacterial properties, it can also help keep your dog's mouth clean and help prevent tooth decay and other oral health issues.
Cinnamon can be helpful with weight loss - a small amount in your dog's food (or a Pupsicle appetizer) lowers insulin resistance and helps keep blood sugar levels under control, which slows the absorption of sugar. Lastly, some studies have shown that cinnamon lowers blood pressure in dogs.
As with most things, cinnamon is best given to your dog in moderation. A few Turkey and Cinnamon Pupsicles definitely won't overdo it, nor will a small sprinkle of cinnamon on your dog's kibble. If you overdo it, though, you can cause digestive issues for your dog.
As mentioned earlier, you should also make sure you're giving your dog Ceylon cinnamon, not Cassia cinnamon. Ceylon tends to be more expensive, so make sure to find it on the label (which may also describe it as "true cinnamon").
Lastly, if you are using cinnamon in its powdered form, avoid letting your dog breathe it in, as it can cause coughing and difficulty breathing.
In our humble option, the best way to give cinnamon to dogs is with our Pupsicles. That said, there are a few other things to keep in mind when giving cinnamon to your pup.
First, stay away from nutmeg - even though the two spices go together well, nutmeg is toxic to dogs and can cause significant health issues. Nutmeg should never be given to dogs.
Cinnamon sticks should be avoided as well - unlike the powdered form of the spice, cinnamon sticks can cause irritation in both the mouth and stomach.
If you're using cinnamon to make baked goods for your dog, just make sure all of your other ingredients are healthy as well. As much as I love snickerdoodles, I make sure to keep them away from my dogs because of the butter, salt, and other problematic ingredients. Cinnamon buns are unfortunately also a no-no (unfortunate for dogs, at least... I'm glad I don't have to share mine).
As long as you get the right kind of cinnamon (remember, it's called Ceylon and will tend to be more expensive), you can definitely feed it to your pooch. Keep it in small quantities, use powder (not sticks), and don't pair it with any unhealthy foods like oils, butter or sugar. And, of course, remember to give our Turkey and Cinnamon Pupsicle Mix a try :).
