Cinnamon - Herbs for Dogs and Cats


Cinnamon for Dogs and Cats
* 2 min read

In this article:
1. Cinnamon
 2. Health Benefits
3. Cautions
4. Side Effects
 5. Drug Interactions
6. General Guideline for Daily Dosing

1.0 About Cinnamon

Cinnamon has been used for many centuries as a spice and as a medicine. Cinnamon is actually the brown bark of the cinnamon tree. There are two varieties of cinnamon tree:
  • Ceylon Cinnamon Tree - the bark is used to make Ceylon Cinnamon;
  • Chinese Cinnamon Tree - the bark is used to make Cassia Cinnamon.
Which Type of Cinnamon is Safe for Your Dog and Cat?
 
Ceylon cinnamon does not contain measurable amounts of coumarin;
 Cassia cinnamon does contain levels of coumarin that can harm your dog and cat.
  • Coumarin is a naturally occurring organic chemical compound that is present in many plants.
    •  However some plants contain a much higher level of coumarin. For example: cassia cinnamon, sweet clover, sweet grass and sweet woodruff.
    • Coumarin has a bitter taste, which helps protect the plant from its natural predators.
    • Coumarin gives Cassia cinnamon its bitter taste.
    • Ceylon cinnamon has a sweeter taste as it does not contain traceable amount of coumarin
  • Coumarin can cause harm to kidney and liver health if consumed in a large amount (relative to the individual's tolerance levels), or large amounts on a daily basis.  
  • Coumarin ingested with the naturally occuring mold aflatoxin, can cause liver damage and bleeding disorders.
Use Ceylon Cinnamon, not Cassia Cinnamon for your dog and cat.
Medicinal Properties in Cinnamon
 
The healing properties of cinnamon come primarily from three essential oils (listed  below), and from a number of volatile substances. The essential oils are:
  • Cinnamaldehyde
  • Cinnamyl acetate
  • Cinnamyl alcohol
Cinnamon Can be used in Various Forms
  • Dry powder
  • Dry tubular form (also known as quills)
  • Oil
  • Tea - infusion
  • Tincture - use alcohol-free only
  • Supplement - capsule or pill

2.0 Health Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon

Health Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon include:
  • Anti-Clotting
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-Microbial
    • Cinnamon is known to stop the growth of:
      • Bad bacteria
      • Fungi
      • Yeast - candida
        • Cinnamon has been shown to mitigate, and help stop yeast Candida resistant to the drug, fluconazole
  • Atherosclerosis and heart disease prevention. see 'Cholesterol' below
  • Appetite stimulant
  • Blood Sugar Control
    • Adding cinnamon to high carbohydrate food lowers gastric emptying rate, and significantly lessens rise in blood sugar levels
    • Cinnamon improves the body's ability to respond to insulin, thereby lowering blood sugar levels.
  •  Brain Activity Enhancer
    • The scent of cinnamon produces positive effects on brain function, and can improve working memory
  • Cancer fighting
    • Cinnamon is an excellent source of colon health supporting:
    • Calcium
    • Fiber
    • Manganese
    • Calcium and fiber bind to bile salts thereby helping the body's elimination processes
    • Some bile salts can cause damage to the colon cells. The calcium and fiber in cinnamon bind to bile salts which helps protect the body from colon cancer
  • Carminative
  • Cholesterol (bad cholesterol) lowering
  • Dental Health aid
  • Digestive Health aid
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    •  The fiber in cinnamon can help treat constipation and diarrhea
  • Food Preservative
    •  Cinnamon's antimicrobial properties make it an excellent food preservative
      • Food grade Cinnamon essential oil can be added to refrigerated food to inhibit food borne pathogenic Bacillus cerus
      • For every 100ml /3oz of food add several drops of the oil
  •  Cinnamon does not contain measurable amounts of oxalate or purines. Dogs and cats with kidney and bladder stones can have cinnamon in their diet

3.0 Cautions

If your dog or cat:
  • Is pregnant or lactating, do not use cinnamon oil. Ceylon cinnamon powder is generally safe in small daily amounts.
  • Type 2 Diabetes, cinnamon may lower blood sugar levels. Diabetic medicines may require adjustment.

4.0 Side Effects if Cinnamon

Ceylon cinnamon powder
  • None, unless hypersensitive to Ceylon cinnamon.
Cinnamon oil by mouth - for some individuals, may cause:
  • Irritation of skin and mucous membranes in the:
    • Intestine
    • Stomach
    • Urinary Tract
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Vomiting

5.0 Drug Interactions

  • Anti-diabetes drugs

6.0 General Guideline for Dosing

Daily Dosage Based on Dog’s or Cat’s Body Weight
 
Click on the chart below to zoom-in:

Ceylon cinnamon dosing chart for dogs and cats

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat
 
For information about my holistic diet, nutrition, wellness services visit my:
 
Maintain good health | Address acute and chronic health issues | Pre and post surgery support and recovery
 
My holistic wellness services are available worldwide via video consultation.

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To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email:
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Holistic Behavioral Services For Your Dog
 
For information about my holistic behavioral services visit my:
For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds
 
My holistic behavioral services are available locally in-person and worldwide via video session.
 
🌎  USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE
 
📱 FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp
 
To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email:
Contact me.
 
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.

Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld



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