Caution 🌿 Herbs & Spices
Editorial safety guidance No public authority source on this row Cat-specific rating

Can Cats Eat Cinnamon?

Food-safety reference.

Short answer

Cats can eat cinnamon only with caution.

According to PlainPetFood's editorial compilation of common veterinary guidance (no public authority we could cite names this food), our cat rating is caution. Portion guidance: Avoid. Watch for: Vomiting, liver damage, low blood sugar. The same food is rated caution for dogs; feline metabolism often differs, so do not transfer the dog rating. Ask your veterinarian about your own animal.

Yes, with caution. Cats can eat cinnamon in moderation.

Cats have lower tolerance; avoid all cinnamon

Food-safety rating slip

Cats can-eat rating CAUTION Cinnamon

CAUTION · Herbs & Spices · 30.8% cat-haz

  • LEVEL caution
  • DOG caution
  • SHARE 30.8% haz
  • RISK 3 risks
  • BEN 0 benefits
  • SYMP listed
  • SRC editorial
  • PHOTO Basil

Category photo peer: Basil (safe)

Nutmeg4Chili Pepper3Oregano3Salt3Black Pepper2Cinnamon (this)2
Cats hazard band in this category (4=toxic · 3=unsafe · 2=caution · 1=safe)

Cat rating for cinnamon is caution. Dogs: caution. Herbs & Spices neighbourhood compares 6 foods by hazard band. Band scores are ordinal (toxic=4 → safe=1), not clinical doses. Read with this food →

Category standing

Caution band for both cats and dogs

Cinnamon is caution for cats and dogs. Herbs & Spices lists 6 caution, 3 safe, and 4 higher-hazard cat ratings across 13 foods.

Portion & Preparation

Recommended Portion
Avoid

Risks & Warnings

  • Cats very sensitive to cinnamon oils
  • Liver toxicity
  • Respiratory irritant when inhaled

Warning Signs

Vomiting, liver damage, low blood sugar

If your cat shows these symptoms, contact your vet or call ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435

Also Safe for Dogs?

Caution Dogs can eat with caution cinnamon

Small amounts of ground cinnamon on food safe; never cinnamon essential oil

Full dog safety guide for Cinnamon →

🚨 Pet Poison Emergency

ASPCA Animal Poison Control

888-426-4435

24/7, consultation fee may apply

Other Herbs & Spices for Cats

Rating bands and editorial notes are rendered from PlainPetFood's food-safety archive. See our methodology for how we evaluate evidence and label named authority sources. For general pet-food safety information, visit the FDA's pet-food safety guidance.

PlainPetFood publishes an editorial food-safety compilation. When the FDA or ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center names a food as dangerous, that food's page links the source; other ratings are identified as editorial guidance. Its cat rating, portion, preparation notes and warning signs are rendered from the food-safety archive; a named FDA or ASPCA source is linked above when that authority names this food. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, report a correction, the methodology behind these numbers, or contact the editorial team. Data current as of August 29, 2026.