Pastry Ingredient Safety

Can dogs eat cinnamon?

Use caution

Short answer: Only small amounts: cinnamon isn't a common poison, but the powder and oil can cause trouble.

Also called or found in: cinnamon oil, cinnamon sticks, cinnamon sugar

Why it matters

Pet Poison Helpline says most pets would need to eat more than a teaspoon of the powder before problems occur. Inhaling the powder can irritate the lungs, and cinnamon oil causes problems at much smaller amounts.

What owners may notice

Coughing or choking after inhaling powder. With large amounts, vomiting, diarrhea and heart rate changes (Pet Poison Helpline).

This list can't tell you if your dog is OK. Only a veterinarian can.

If your dog ate some

If your dog ate a lot of it, or seems unwell afterward, call your veterinarian or an animal poison line: ASPCA (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.

In the kitchen

Cinnamon rolls bring butter, sugar and frosting along. Keep cinnamon oil and cinnamon sticks out of reach.

Sources

Nutmeg and Cinnamon Toxicity, Pet Poison Helpline. Checked October 22, 2026.

Last checked against these sources: October 22, 2026.

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Written by VanillaGoods from the cited sources. Not reviewed by a veterinarian. Not a substitute for veterinary advice.