Cinnamon for dogs is good for brain function, keeps dog food fresher and avoid diabetes. But there are a few things dog owners should know.
First, what is cinnamon and where does it come from?
The Cinnamon is a small tree that grows in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam and Egypt; its bark dries and rolls into cinnamon sticks (also called quills), to finish grinding them into powder.
There are four varieties of cinnamon, but Ceylon cinnamon (its Latin name is Cinnamonum verum) and Cassia cinnamon (cinnamomum cassia) are the most popular; Ceylon, also called true cinnamon, is sweeter, lighter in color, and more expensive than Cassia, which is the darkest type of cinnamon most commonly found in supermarkets.
Traditionally, cinnamon has been used throughout the world to remedy flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It is also believed to increase energy, vitality, circulation, cognitive function and general brain health and to improve the digestion of dairy products.
Cinnamon for Dogs May Help Improve Brain Function
Studies have shown that sniff cinnamon results in better brain function, for example, with the dogs this test was performed on, the result was an improvement in memory and attention.
So if you want your dog to learn new tricks, you definitely have to give him some cinnamon before starting your training session!
This spice prevents diabetes in dogs
Solo half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day helps regulate blood sugar and increases insulin resistance; it actually increases the body's ability to use insulin to improve blood glucose levels.
This is vital for anyone at risk for diabetes and that includes those overweight dogs.
Cinnamon helps prevent yeast infections
Other studies reveal that cinnamon is antifungal; works to combat Candida albicans, the cause of yeast infections. These infections often resist medication, but not cinnamon. (Dogs that have allergies are susceptible to yeast infections.)
Keep your dog's food fresher for longer with cinnamon
Cinnamon too it is antibacterial and slows down food spoilage. When you have to keep part of a can of dog food overnight, sprinkle with half a teaspoon of cinnamon before taking it to the fridge, (never put a can of dog food in the fridge, to preserve palatability, put it in a taper with plastic cap).
Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon even prevents the growth of E. Coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices, so for safety reasons, be sure to add a little cinnamon to your dog's daily food.
Cinnamon for dogs helps with arthritis
Cinnamon is a great anti-inflammatory, since this is ideal for older dogs that fight against arthritis and you will surely have excellent results mixing half a teaspoon of cinnamon with a tablespoon of honey.
Caution about cinnamon and dogs
Cassia cinnamon (the darkest and most common type) contains a compound called coumarin that can damage the liver at high levels. But as long as you don't overdo it, a teaspoon or so every day in your dog's food will still be beneficial in all the ways described above.
The cinnamon has a mild anticoagulant effect on the bloodSo too much can cause bleeding problems and pregnant dogs should not take too much cinnamon as it can have a stimulating effect on the uterus.
But in small amounts, like half a teaspoon at each meal, cinnamon obviously does a lot more good than bad.