Skip to content
In The Kibble
My dogs

Ingredient file // Flavor

Cinnamon

A flavoring spice with unproved health claims

Cinnamon is ground, dried inner bark from several tree species, including cassia and Ceylon cinnamon. In dog food, it adds aroma. Claims about antioxidant protection, blood sugar and preservation go beyond what studies of cinnamon in dogs have shown.

Role in the food Does a job
Cinnamon
What it is
Dried inner bark from cinnamon trees, ground into the fragrant spice used in food.
Made from
Peeled inner bark of cinnamon trees
Main job
Adds spice aroma
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Loose powder and concentrated cinnamon oil
Not the same as
Cinnamon essential oil

Straight answer

Is Cinnamon safe for dogs?

Treat it as flavor and judge the food

Cinnamon near the end of an ingredient list is there for aroma, not nutrition. Check the protein, fat and main ingredients above it; they matter more to the recipe. Leave cinnamon health claims out of the decision, and keep loose powder and essential oil away from your dog.

Why it is in the food
Adds spice aroma

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 32 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

3%

99 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 18 brands. 54 dry dog food, 21 dog food topper, 19 wet dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 27. In the top five of 2 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

6%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 94% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $4.12
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 46 priced foods, 27% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

31%

of the foods that list it are from Open Farm. 18 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Spice growers harvest cinnamon shoots for their fragrant inner bark. They remove the coarse outer layer, peel the inner bark, dry it and grind some of it for food makers.5

  1. 01 // Source Mature shoots Growers cut cinnamon stems when their bark is ready to peel and remove leaves and side branches.
  2. 02 // Process Scraped and peeled Workers scrape away the brown outer bark, loosen the inner layer and lift it from the wood.
  3. 03 // Process Shade dried The peeled bark curls as it dries; producers keep the strips clean during drying.
  4. 04 // Output Ground cinnamon Dried inner bark is milled into powder that a food plant can add to its recipe.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

35

% crude fiber

One bark sample contained about 35% crude fiber on a dry basis. Cinnamon's small flavoring role means it contributes little fiber to a dog's meal.

Crude fiber 34.8%4
Nitrogen-free extract 54.8%4
Crude fat 4.2%4
Crude protein 3.7%4
Ash 2.5%4

These figures come from one bark sample whose results were normalized to dry matter. The study did not identify the cinnamon species; cassia and Ceylon cinnamon also differ in coumarin content.3,4,8,9

Why it is in the bag

There for aroma and flavor, not nutrition

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Makers add cinnamon for its smell and taste. FDA's animal food labeling rule treats it as a spice, an ingredient whose main function is seasoning rather than nutrition. Ingredient lists run by weight, and in many foods cinnamon sits far down the list, so it likely adds too little fiber or anything else to change the food's nutrition. A company patent tested 0.25% cinnamon extract mixed with green tea extract in kibble, and more dogs preferred the control.2,12,13

  1. 01

    Adds a familiar aroma

    The dried bark has a distinct smell and flavor, so an addition changes the food's scent without serving as a meaningful protein or fiber source.5,6

  2. 02

    Flavor at small cost

    Cassia is cheaper and stronger tasting than Ceylon cinnamon. A company tested cinnamon extract in kibble, but that test gives no usual amount for ground bark.2,8

How much A company patent tested 0.25% cinnamon extract alongside 0.25% green tea extract in kibble; it gives no typical amount for ground cinnamon.2

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Cinnamon makes dog food tastier

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A company patent describes a two-bowl test in 25 beagles. The diet with cinnamon and green tea extracts lost to the control, preferred by 34.6% versus 65.4%. The combined test cannot isolate cinnamon's effect.2

  2. Brands say

    Cinnamon gives dogs antioxidant protection

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Purified cinnamaldehyde showed activity in triplicate laboratory antioxidant tests. A 32-dog study tested a mix of cinnamon, tea and pomegranate extracts, without measuring antioxidant protection from cinnamon alone. Neither shows protection from cinnamon in dog food.1,6

  3. Brands say

    Cinnamon naturally preserves kibble

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Purified cinnamaldehyde inhibited bacteria in a laboratory disc test. The researchers tested cultures, not ground cinnamon in stored kibble. That result does not show that cinnamon preserves a finished dog food.6

  4. Owners say

    Cinnamon lowers blood sugar in dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    NCCIH says even the human diabetes evidence remains unclear. The 32-dog extract-mixture abstract reports digestive and fecal outcomes, not a blood sugar benefit from cinnamon. A promise for cinnamon in dog food goes beyond the evidence.1,7

  5. Owners say

    Cinnamon is poisonous to dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Pet Poison Helpline says problems typically require more than 1 teaspoon of powder for most pets, while much less essential oil poses a risk. A small addition to food is a different exposure from an overdose.10

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No, it's flavor

    Bark contains about 35% crude fiber on a dry basis, but cinnamon is added for aroma in small amounts. It supplies too little fiber to carry the recipe's fiber needs. Flavor is its job.2,4,5

  2. Q02

    Does cinnamon mean the Ceylon kind?

    No

    The word cinnamon does not identify its species. Cassia is common in North America and carries more coumarin than Ceylon cinnamon. Unless the bag names a type, treat the type as unknown.7,9

  3. Q03

    Why is it near the end?

    Small addition

    Ingredient lists run from most to least by weight. A spice near the end contributes little to the recipe's nutrition. Read the main protein and fat ingredients above it when judging the food.12

  4. Q04

    Should I sprinkle on more?

    Skip it

    A flavoring amount on a label is no reason to add spoonfuls. Larger powder exposures can irritate the stomach and airways. Keep cinnamon essential oil away from your dog; it is far more concentrated.10,11

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Open Farm 31 / 42
  2. Holistic Select 15 / 16
  3. Merrick 11 / 107
  4. Wellness 9 / 118
  5. Stella & Chewy's 7 / 85
  6. Grandma Lucy's 5 / 24
  7. The Honest Kitchen 4 / 36
  8. Jinx 3 / 21
  9. Canidae 3 / 35
  10. K9 Natural 2 / 8

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 8 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #31 Open Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food

Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Pumpkin 46%
  2. Flaxseed 41%
  3. Natural Flavor 27%
  4. Coconut Oil 26%
  5. Mixed Tocopherols 25%
  6. Dried Plain Beet Pulp 24%
  7. Beef 24%
  8. Potatoes 22%
  9. Carrots 21%
  10. Salmon 21%
  11. Chicken Fat 21%
  12. Sweet Potatoes 21%

On the shelf

Foods that list Cinnamon

99 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Answers Pet Food Additional Fermented Raw Goat Milk Other States Dog Food TopperAnswers Pet FoodAnswers Pet Food Additional Fermented Raw Goat Milk Other States Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 4 on the labelMerrick Grain-Free Beef Bone Broth Dog Food TopperMerrickMerrick Grain-Free Beef Bone Broth Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 5 on the labelGrandma Lucy’s Organic Pumpkin Dog Food TopperGrandma Lucy'sGrandma Lucy’s Organic Pumpkin Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 6 on the labelNulo FreeStyle True Boost Meatball Mixers Beef & Turkey Recipe Dog Food TopperNuloNulo FreeStyle True Boost Meatball Mixers Beef & Turkey Recipe Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 6 on the labelGrandma Lucy’s Meal Prep Blueberry Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding Dog Food TopperGrandma Lucy'sGrandma Lucy’s Meal Prep Blueberry Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelEvanger’s Super Premium Beef Dinner for Dogs Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s Super Premium Beef Dinner for Dogs Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Pumpkin Pour Overs Turkey Dog Food TopperThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Pumpkin Pour Overs Turkey Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Pumpkin Pour Overs Salmon Dog Food TopperThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Pumpkin Pour Overs Salmon Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Grass-Fed Beef Broth Dog Food TopperStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Grass-Fed Beef Broth Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Cage-Free Chicken Broth Dog Food TopperStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Cage-Free Chicken Broth Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Bountiful Bone Broth Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Dog Food TopperStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Bountiful Bone Broth Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Bountiful Bone Broth Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food TopperStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Bountiful Bone Broth Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the label
Show 48 more
Grandma Lucy’s Organic Apple Dog Food TopperGrandma Lucy'sGrandma Lucy’s Organic Apple Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelGrandma Lucy’s Meal Prep Banana Flax Overnight Oats Dog Food TopperGrandma Lucy'sGrandma Lucy’s Meal Prep Banana Flax Overnight Oats Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelGrandma Lucy’s Organic Banana & Sweet Potato Dog Food TopperGrandma Lucy'sGrandma Lucy’s Organic Banana & Sweet Potato Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Pumpkin Pour Overs Chicken Dog Food TopperThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Pumpkin Pour Overs Chicken Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Marie’s Mix-Ins Wild-Caught Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe in Tuna Bone Broth Dog Food MixerStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Marie’s Mix-Ins Wild-Caught Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe in Tuna Bone Broth Dog Food MixerTopper // No. 8 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Marie’s Mix-Ins Cage-Free Chicken & Pumpkin Recipe in Chicken Bone Broth Dog Food MixerStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Marie’s Mix-Ins Cage-Free Chicken & Pumpkin Recipe in Chicken Bone Broth Dog Food MixerTopper // No. 8 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Marie’s Mix-Ins Grass-Fed Beef & Pumpkin Recipe in Beef Bone Broth Dog Food MixerStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Marie’s Mix-Ins Grass-Fed Beef & Pumpkin Recipe in Beef Bone Broth Dog Food MixerTopper // No. 8 on the labelBlue Boo Bars Pumpkin & Cinnamon Crunchy Dog TreatsBlueBlue Boo Bars Pumpkin & Cinnamon Crunchy Dog TreatsDog Treats // No. 11 on the labelWellness Core Bowl Boosters Hearty Toppers Beef & Green Beans Recipe in Savory Bone Broth Dog Food TopperWellnessWellness Core Bowl Boosters Hearty Toppers Beef & Green Beans Recipe in Savory Bone Broth Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 12 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Slow Cooked Chicken One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Slow Cooked Chicken One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelOpen Farm Grass-Fed Beef Raw Patties Freeze-Dried Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Grass-Fed Beef Raw Patties Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 13 on the labelFromm Nutritionals Immunity Supplement Pâté Dog Food TopperFrommFromm Nutritionals Immunity Supplement Pâté Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 13 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Lamb Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Lamb Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Texas Steak Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Texas Steak Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelTruDog Elevate Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Chicken & Salmon Stew w/ C Wet Dog FoodTruDogTruDog Elevate Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Chicken & Salmon Stew w/ C Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelHalo Elevate Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Chicken & Salmon Stew w/ C Wet Dog FoodHaloHalo Elevate Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Chicken & Salmon Stew w/ C Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelHalo Elevate Dog Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Duck and Beef Stew with Carrots, White Potatoes, and Brown Rice Can Wet Dog FoodHaloHalo Elevate Dog Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Duck and Beef Stew with Carrots, White Potatoes, and Brown Rice Can Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Surf & Turf Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Surf & Turf Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Big Texas Chunky Steak Tips in Gravy Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Big Texas Chunky Steak Tips in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 20 on the labelCanidae Under The Sun Grain-Free Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Under The Sun Grain-Free Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 20 on the labelMerrick Kitchen Comforts Beef Tips & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Kitchen Comforts Beef Tips & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 21 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Pappy’s Chunky Pot Roast Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Pappy’s Chunky Pot Roast Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 22 on the labelMerrick Backcountry Grain Free Hero’s Banquet Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Backcountry Grain Free Hero’s Banquet Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 22 on the labelOpen Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 23 on the labelOpen Farm Farmstead Duck Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Farmstead Duck Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 23 on the labelOpen Farm Farmer’s Table Pork Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Farmer’s Table Pork Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 23 on the labelCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 23 on the labelNutriSource Turkey Dog Stew Tetrapaks Wet Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Turkey Dog Stew Tetrapaks Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 24 on the labelOpen Farm Catch of the Season: Whitefish Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Catch of the Season: Whitefish Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 24 on the labelCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Recipe Large Breed Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Recipe Large Breed Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 24 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Tide & Terrain - Grain Free Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Tide & Terrain - Grain Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 25 on the labelOpen Farm Ancient Grains New Zealand Venison with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Ancient Grains New Zealand Venison with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 25 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Tide & Terrain Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Tide & Terrain Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 26 on the labelOpen Farm Digestive Health Wild Pollock Recipe Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Digestive Health Wild Pollock Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 27 on the labelMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Braised Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Braised Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 27 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Puppy Plate Real Beef Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Puppy Plate Real Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 27 on the labelOpen Farm Ancient Grains High Protein Puppy Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Ancient Grains High Protein Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 27 on the labelOpen Farm Pasture-raised Lamb Raw Freeze-Dried Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Pasture-raised Lamb Raw Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 28 on the labelWellness Core Digestive Health Beef Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Digestive Health Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 28 on the labelWellness Core Digestive Health Chicken - Dog Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Digestive Health Chicken - Dog Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 28 on the labelOpen Farm Farmer’s Table Pork Raw Freeze-Dried Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Farmer’s Table Pork Raw Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 29 on the labelOpen Farm Epic Blend Salmon & Superfood Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Epic Blend Salmon & Superfood Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelHolistic Select Adult Health Grain-Free Duck Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult Health Grain-Free Duck Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelWellness Core Digestive Health Lamb Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Digestive Health Lamb Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 30 on the labelOpen Farm Large Breed RawMix - Grain Free Large Breed Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Large Breed RawMix - Grain Free Large Breed Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 30 on the labelWellness CORE Digestive Health Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness CORE Digestive Health Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 30 on the labelOpen Farm Surf & Turf Raw Freeze-Dried Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Surf & Turf Raw Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 31 on the label

On labels as

Ground cinnamon: what changes

One page covers every name. Here is what each label word adds, and whether it changes anything for your dog.

Ground cinnamon

Matters for your dog No

Ground Cinnamon

What it means FDA's animal food labeling rule counts a spice as the same spice whether whole, broken or ground, as long as none of its flavor oil was removed. We found no separate regulatory definition of "ground". The word describes form, not quality or species.

For your dog Nothing changes for the dog. Ground cinnamon is the same dried bark milled into powder so it mixes evenly into a recipe. The word does not tell you the species: FDA lists Ceylon, Chinese (cassia) and Saigon cinnamon, and cassia carries more coumarin.5,9,13,14

Sources

What we read

Checked September 1, 2026.

  1. 1 PSI-20 Herbal extract supplementation as a functional ingredient in modulating canine gut microbiome and biomarkers of gut health. Journal of Animal Science, 2025 // Journal
  2. 2 EP3525597A1 - Compositions and methods of pet food Google Patents, 2019 // Industry
  3. 3 Proximate Composition and Mineral Analysis of Cinnamon Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 2009 // Journal
  4. 4 MammalBase - Proximate Analysis of CINNAMOMUM BARK MammalBase, n.d. // Database
  5. 5 Post Harvest Technology Sri Lanka Department of Cinnamon Development, n.d. // Government
  6. 6 Medicinal attributes of major phenylpropanoids present in cinnamon BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 2016 // Journal
  7. 7 Cinnamon: Usefulness and Safety National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, n.d. // Government
  8. 8 Commission finds fraud and potential safety issues in cinnamon on the EU market European Commission Joint Research Centre, 2025 // Government
  9. 9 FAQ on coumarin in cinnamon and other foods German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, n.d. // Government
  10. 10 Nutmeg And Cinnamon Toxicity Pet Poison Helpline, 2013 // Nonprofit
  11. 11 When Pumpkin Spice is Not So Nice ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 2020 // Nonprofit
  12. 12 What’s in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  13. 13 21 CFR 501.22 Animal foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings, and chemical preservatives Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (Code of Federal Regulations), n.d. // Regulator
  14. 14 21 CFR 182.10 Spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (Code of Federal Regulations), n.d. // Regulator
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

Keep In The Know,
Know What's In The Bowl

The In the Kibble newsletter. Useful emails for dog owners: what we find inside dog food, how to feed well, and a heads-up when a food is recalled.
DOUBLE OPT-IN // ONE CLICK TO STOP // NEVER SHARED