Cinnamon is such a spectacular ingredient, contributing an extraordinary fragrance and unique sweet & spicy kick to any recipe it is added to. In fact, it is one of few spices that spans the realms of both sweet and savoury, enhancing the flavour profiles of the other ingredients in each recipe. But one common question that may come around in conversations is – Can dogs eat Cinnamon? Before answering this question, you should know what is TRUE cinnamon.
What is cinnamon and where does cinnamon come from?
Believe it or not, cinnamon actually comes from the inner bark of a tree. When harvested, it is very light in color and turns dark brown as it dries. It is then ground into a powder. The various species of cinnamon come from different types of cinnamon trees, all originating from the Cinnamomum genus.
There are 4 types of Cinnamon varieties.
1. Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon Cinnamon)
Often called true cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon, or soft cinnamon, this variety is native to Sri Lanka. It’s made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum Zeylanicum tree. Ceylon cinnamon is a high-quality, highly prized spice. Between 50–63% of its oil is cinnamaldehyde, which explains its mild flavor.
2. Cinnamomum cassia
Cassia cinnamon comes from the Cinnamomum cassia tree, also called Cinnamomum aromaticum. It originated in Southern China and is also known as Chinese cinnamon.Cassia cinnamon is considered lower quality. It is very cheap and is the type most commonly consumed around the world. Almost all cinnamon found in supermarkets is the cassia variety.Roughly 95% of its oil is cinnamaldehyde, which gives cassia a very strong, spicy flavor.
3. Cinnamomum burmannii
Cinnamomum burmannii is native to Indonesia. The most common and cheapest type of cinnamon in the US is made from powdered Cinnamomum burmannii.
4. Cinnamomum loureiroi
Saigon cinnamon also known as Vietnamese cinnamon or Vietnamese cassia is an evergreen Cinnamomum loureiroi tree indigenous to mainland Southeast Asia. Saigon cinnamon is more closely related to cassia (C. cassia) than to Ceylon cinnamon (C. verum), though in the same genus as both.
Which is the better variant of Cinnamon?
Coumarin is a compound found naturally in several plant species. It can be harmful in large doses. Coumarin is known to cause kidney, liver and lung damage. It may even cause cancer. Cassia contains approximately 1% coumarin, while Ceylon contains only 0.004%, or 250 times less.
Ceylon cinnamon, although it is pricier, would be even safer than Cinnamomum burmannii, as Cinnamomum verum contains little or no coumarin.
Therefore, if you are consuming larger quantities of Cinnamon, human or dog, you should stick with Ceylon Cinnamon.
Researchers have concluded that the health benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon can be obtained in the form of its pure bark, essential oils, in ground spice form (which is bark powder) or in extract form when its special phenolic compounds, flavonoids and antioxidants have been isolated. These compounds make cinnamon one of the most beneficial spices on earth, giving it antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, immunity-boosting and potential cancer and heart disease-protecting abilities. And with such health benefits and this non-toxic herb is called the True Cinnamon as well.
Verdict?
While researchers believe that cinnamon can be beneficial for dog health, a clear dosage has not been identified. If you are interested in giving your dog Ceylon cinnamon, you should first consult with a veterinarian.
Besides being a tasty way to add a kick to any meal or treat, Ceylon cinnamon offers significant health benefits that will keep your dog living its best life for years to come. It's best to consult with your veterinarian prior to adding anything new to your dog's diet, but once you get the green light, sprinkling a touch of cinnamon into their food dish will do the trick. Many dogs love the taste of mild and sweet Ceylon cinnamon as well, so your canine companion is likely to thank you for the new flavor!