Can Yorkies eat cinnamon?

Use cautionReal risks to weigh — better options usually exist.

Use caution. A tiny trace of cinnamon is not considered toxic to dogs, but in any real quantity it irritates the mouth and airways, offers a Yorkie no benefit, and should not be confused with nutmeg, which is a bigger concern.

When this needs a vet, not a wait-and-see

Note how much cinnamon was involved and whether it was inhaled as powder or eaten in a food, and check that treat for xylitol, raisins, or chocolate — cinnamon itself mainly irritates the mouth and airways, but the baked goods it flavors often hide something more dangerous, and inhaled powder can cause coughing and airway irritation in a small dog. Call your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital, or one of the 24/7 poison-control lines below right away. Do not wait for symptoms, and do not induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to. Because Yorkies are so small, even a modest amount can matter.

ASPCA Poison Control(888) 426-4435 Pet Poison Helpline(855) 764-7661

Both lines are staffed 24/7 and may charge a consultation fee. Your own veterinarian or a local emergency clinic is an equally good first call.

Cinnamon is not classed among the truly toxic spices for dogs, but it is not harmless in quantity. Powdered cinnamon can irritate a dog's mouth and, if inhaled, the airways, causing coughing and choking; larger amounts can upset the stomach. It offers no nutritional benefit worth the risk. It is also easy to confuse with nutmeg, which contains a compound of greater concern for dogs.

What Yorkie owners need to know

A trace of cinnamon is not toxic, but there is no reason to feed it to a dog.
Cinnamon powder can irritate the mouth and airways and cause coughing if inhaled.
Do not confuse cinnamon with nutmeg — nutmeg contains myristicin and is more of a concern for dogs.

How preparation changes the answer

Preparation	Status	Why
Trace of cinnamon in food	Only small amounts	Not toxic but of no benefit to a dog.
A quantity of cinnamon powder or a spoonful	Best avoided	Irritates mouth and airways; can cause coughing.
Cinnamon essential oil	Toxic — do not feed	Highly concentrated and can irritate or harm.

Risks & things to watch

Powdered cinnamon can irritate the mouth and airways and cause coughing or choking if inhaled.
Larger amounts can cause stomach upset.
Foods flavored with cinnamon often also carry sugar, xylitol, raisins, or chocolate.

If your Yorkie ate too much

A trace of cinnamon in food is unlikely to cause harm beyond possible mild stomach upset. If your Yorkie inhaled cinnamon powder and is coughing or gagging, or ate a large amount, call your veterinarian, and remember to check whether any cinnamon-flavored treat also contained xylitol or raisins.

Frequently asked questions

Is cinnamon toxic to Yorkies?

A tiny trace is not considered toxic, but cinnamon powder in any quantity can irritate the mouth and airways and offers no benefit, so there is no reason to feed it.

Is cinnamon the same as nutmeg for dogs?

No. They are often confused, but nutmeg contains myristicin and is more of a concern for dogs than cinnamon, so it is worth keeping the two straight.

Sources

We cite authoritative veterinary, regulatory, and nutrition sources so you can check the evidence yourself.

Poison controlASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants / People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
Supports: Classification of foods that are toxic or dangerous to dogs. · Accessed 2026-07-01
Poison controlPet Poison Helpline
Pet Poison Helpline (24/7, 855-764-7661)
Supports: 24/7 emergency toxicology guidance for pet owners. · Accessed 2026-07-01

The Yorkiefood Editorial Team

We research Yorkshire Terrier feeding from regulatory bodies, veterinary manuals, poison-control centres, and peer-reviewed nutrition literature, then explain it plainly. We are careful researchers, not veterinarians — our pages cite their sources so you can check the evidence yourself, and we always defer to your own vet for your dog.

First published 2026-07-11 · Last reviewed 2026-07-11

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Related foods

Xylitol (Birch Sugar)

Toxic — do not feed

No. Xylitol, a sweetener also labelled 'birch sugar', can cause a rapid, dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage in dogs — even in tiny amounts.

Grapes & Raisins

Toxic — do not feed

No. Grapes, raisins, and currants can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and the toxic amount is unpredictable. Never feed them to a Yorkie.

Chocolate

Toxic — do not feed

No. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and for a dog as small as a Yorkie even a little can be dangerous. Darker and baking chocolate are the most dangerous.

Cloves

Use caution

Use caution. Cloves contain a compound called eugenol that can irritate a dog's mouth and stomach and, in concentrated form or large amounts, may harm the liver — and whole cloves are a choking hazard. There's no benefit for a Yorkie.

Garlic Powder

Toxic — do not feed

No. Garlic powder is toxic to dogs, and because it's so concentrated it's even more dangerous than fresh garlic. For a Yorkie, an alarmingly small pinch can be enough to matter.

Ginger

Only small amounts

In tiny amounts — a small pinch of plain fresh or ground ginger isn't toxic to Yorkies, but it's a strong spice, so keep it minuscule and occasional.