Cinnamon - Herbs for Dogs and Cats

Ceylon cinnamon is a popular culinary spice, but it's also a lovely medicinal herb. Ceylon cinnamon can help treat common health issues experienced by dogs and cats. In this article: health benefits of Ceylon cinnamon, dosing guideline for use as a herbal supplement and recipes with cinnamon - supplemental foods, treats and a herbal formula.

 

* 5 min read

In this article:

1. Cinnamon For Your Dog and Cat
1. Choose the Right Type of Cinnamon, Ceylon, not Cassia
   
2. Health Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon
   
3. How To Include Cinnamon In Your Dog or Cat's Diet
1. Simple Options for Including Cinnamon in The Diet
   
4. Recipes With Cinnamon for Your Dog and Cat 
1. Bone Broth Recipe 
2. Short Cooked Broth Recipe 
3. Golden Paste Recipe
   
4. Dog Treat Recipe for Doggie Birthday Cakes, Licky Mats, Stuffer Toys
5. Eggnog Recipes for Dogs
   
6. Pancake and Waffle Recipes for Dogs
   
7. Rooibos Tea Dog Treat Recipes 
8. Smoothie Recipes for Dogs 
5. Dosing Guideline for Use as a Herbal Supplement (Encapsulated, Powder, Tea or Tincture)
6. Cautions  
7. Side Effects 

1.0 Cinnamon for Your Dog and Cat

Cinnamon has been used for many centuries as a spice and a medicinal herb. Cinnamon is the bark harvested from a cinnamon tree.  

 

There are several types of cinnamon - it is very important to choose the right type of cinnamon for your dog or cat.

1.1 Choose the Right Type of Cinnamon, Ceylon, not Cassia

 

 

Ceylon cinnamon IS safe for dogs and cats. Ceylon cinnamon is also known as:

1. True Cinnamon.
   
2. Sri Lankan Ceylon Cinnamon.
3. Sri Lankan Cinnamon.
   

The botanical name for Ceylon cinnamon is:

1. Cinnamomum Verum.
2. C. Zeylanicum.
   
3. Cinnamomum Zeylanicum
   

Cassia cinnamon is NOT safe or dogs and cats.

Cassia cinnamon is NOT the same as Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon (also called Chinese cinnamon) contains a significant amount of coumarin. The high-coumarin content makes cassia cinnamon NOT safe for dogs and cats.

Coumrin is a naturally occurring organic chemical compound that is present in many plants. However, some plants, such as the Cassia tree contain a higher level of coumarin. Coumarin has a very bitter taste which helps discourage insects and other predators from eating the plant.

The amount of coumarin naturally present in Cassia cinnamon can damage your dog and cat's kidneys and liver. 

 
Use Ceylon Cinnamon, not Cassia Cinnamon for your dog and cat. 

 

Ceylon cinnamon can be used on various forms to support your dog or cat's health. Choose the option that best suites the situation:

1. Cinnamon quills
   
2. Dry powder
3. Tea
4. Tincture
5. Capsule or tablet.
   

2.0 Health Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon

Health Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon for your dog or cat, include:

Analgesic

Cinnamon can help provide relief from pain.

 

Anti-inflammatory

Cinnamon can help reduce inflammation in the body caused by various health issues including arthritis.

Antibacterial, Anti-microbial, Germicide

Natural chemical compounds in Cinnamon stop the growth of:

1. Bacteria
2. Candida and other yeast
3. Fungi

Blood Health

Cinnamon is a natural blood thinner, it helps prevent blood clots.

 

Cancer

Cinnamon helps prevent and fight cancer.

For example, cinnamon can help protect your dog and cat from acquiring colon cancer.

1. Cinnamon is an excellent source of calcium, fibre and manganese,
2. Calcium and fibre bind to bile salts thereby helping the body's elimination processes.
3. Some bile salts can cause damage to the colon cells. The calcium and fibre in cinnamon bind to bile salts which helps protect the body from colon cancer.
   

Cardiovascular Health

Blood thinner, helps prevent blood clots.

Bad cholesterol lowering.

High Blood pressure lowering.

 

Dementia

Cinnamon is a brain activity enhancer.

The scent of cinnamon produces positive effects on brain function, and can improve working memory.

 

Diabetes Type I and II

Blood sugar control aid.

1. Adding cinnamon to high carbohydrate food lowers gastric emptying rate, and significantly lessens rise in blood sugar levels
2. Cinnamon improves the body's ability to respond to insulin, thereby lowering blood sugar levels.

Digestive Health Support

Cinnamon helps support digestive health.

Appetite Stimulant.

Inflammation.

Constipation.

Diarrhea.
 

Food Preservative

Cinnamon's antimicrobial properties make it an excellent food preservative aid.

 

Liver and Kidney Support
Ceylon cinnamon can help dogs and cats with kidney and bladder stones.

Is low in oxalates and purines.

Can help repair liver and kidney damage.

Oral Health
Cinnamon's antimicrobial properties make it an excellent oral health support aid. 

 

3.0 How To Include Cinnamon In Your Dog or Cat's Diet

3.1 Simple Options for Including Cinnamon in The Diet

 

There are many ways you can include cinnamon in your dog or cat's diet. 

1. Ceylon cinnamon can be served as a herbal supplement added to food at meal time. For daily dosage by body weight, refer to the dosing chart in section 5.0 further below.
   
2. Use Ceylon cinnamon in bone broth or other supplemental foods, see the recipes in section 4.0 just below.
3. Make golden paste with Ceylon cinnamon to help treat health issues. For the golden paste recipe and more about its health benefits, see section 4.0 just below.

4.0 Recipes With Cinnamon For Your Dog and Cat

 

4.1 Bone Broth Recipe

for puppies, dogs, kittens and cats

Bone broth is an amazing health supporting supplemental food for dogs and cats.

 

For the:

• Bone broth recipe.
• Health benefits of bone broth.

Go to this article.

4.2 Short Cooked Broth Recipe

for puppies, dogs, kittens and cats

 

A health supporting alternative to bone broth for dogs and cats with specific health issues. It's also a great alternative when you don't have time to make bone broth.

 

For the:

• Short cooked broth recipe.
  

Go to this article.

4.3 Golden Paste Recipe

for puppies, dogs, kittens and cats

 

Golden paste is a powerful health supporting herbal treatment for a range of health issues and conditions.

 

For the:

• List of health benefits.
• List of health issues.
• Golden paste recipe.
  

Go to this article.

4.4 Dog Treat Recipe for Doggie Birthday Cakes, Licky Mats, Stuffer Toys

for puppies and dogs

 

The recipe below is perfect to fill your puppy or dog's kong, treat stuffer toy, dog treat molds or licky mat. This treat stuffer recipe is made with species appropriate, antioxidant rich nutritious ingredients your puppy or dog will love.

 

For the:

• Recipe
  

Go to this article.

4.5 Eggnog Recipes For Dogs

for puppies and dogs

 

Great for festive holidays or for use throughout the year. These eggnog recipes for puppies and dogs are simple to make, naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

For the recipes:

• Cinnamon Honey Eggnog recipe.
  
• Pumpkin Spice Eggnog recipe.
• ...and other eggnog recipes.
  

Go to this article.

4.6 Pancake and Waffle Recipes for Dogs

for puppies and dogs

 

These are made with species appropriate ingredients, NO starchy carbohydrates. Great for a healing meal, birthdays and treats.

For the recipes:

• Two Ingredient Pancake Recipe.
• Fluffy Banana, Coconut Pancake Recipe.
• Scrumptious Banana, Coconut Waffle Recipe.
• Toppings for Your Dog's Pancakes and Waffles.
  

Go to this article.

4.7 Rooibos Tea Dog Treat Recipes

for puppies and dogs

 

Red rooibos tea is a rich source of anti-inflammatory, antioxidants that can help support your dog’s short and long-term health. This tea is rich in minerals including nature’s natural antihistamine, quercetin.  Rooibos contains 50% more antioxidants than green tea, and is a very good source of vitamin C.

Homemade rooibos tea dog treat recipes provide you with a great way to add this amazing tea to your puppy or dog's diet.

For the:

• Health benefits.
• Treat Recipe for Licky Mats, Silicon Molds, Stuffer Toys
  
• Food Topper Recipe
• Smoothie Recipe
  
• Soft Drop Recipe

Go to this article.

 

4.8 Smoothie Recipes for Dogs

for puppies and dogs

 

These smoothie recipes are great to help keep your puppy and dog well hydrated during the summer.

For the:

• Smoothie health benefits.
• Berry smoothie recipe.
  
• Banana smoothie recipe.
  

 Go to this article.
 

5.0 Cinnamon Dosing Guideline for Use as a Herbal Supplement 

encapsulated, powder, tea or tincture

Daily Dosage Based on Dog’s or Cat’s Body Weight

Click on the chart below to zoom-in:

6.0 Cautions

6.1 Health Conditions:

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

6.2 Self-Selection:

 

If your dog or cat does not want Ceylon cinnamon, don;t force them to take it, respect their indication. Like all foods, and herbs, not every item is appropriate for every individual. 

Self-selection is an important form of communication, a way for your dog and cat to communicate their needs to you. Self-selection also offers a pathway for a deeper bond between you and your companion animal.

 

Learn about self-selection:

• Go to this article.

7.0 Side Effects of Cinnamon

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

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat

 

For information about my holistic diet, nutrition, wellness services visit my:

Holistic wellness services page.

 

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.

🌎  USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

 

📱 FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

 

To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email:

Contact me.

 

Holistic Behavioral Services For Your Dog

 

For information about my holistic behavioral services visit my:

Holistic behavioral services page.
 

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.

 

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✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.

Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld