Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?
Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?c No movie night feels complete without a big bowl of popcorn and your four-legged companion by your side. And as you’re snacking, your pup will probably be staring at you, hoping you’ll share. But can dogs eat popcorn?
Is Popcorn Bad for Dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Popcorn itself is not poisonous to dogs—but there are a few ways we make it that can be seriously detrimental to our pets. Regular, plain air-popped popcorn is okay for dogs in moderation, but buttered and salted popcorn is very bad for dogs.
It isn’t the end of the world to have a couple of pieces, but as an every-now-and-then treat long-term (or downing a large handful all at once), it will hurt your dog’s health. The butter will cause a lot of harm, such as an upset stomach, obesity, or pancreatitis.
It’s not only the butter—excessive salt can lead to salt poisoning in dogs. And for very small dogs, such as Chihuahuas, any swallowed unpopped kernels would be a choking hazard or intestinal blockage.
The ingredients that make popcorn taste so wonderful to humans, however, are a different matter. We all enjoy our popcorn covered in butter and salt, even though we know it’s not good for us. The same is true with dogs. Butter, oils, salt, and the other substances used in putting toppings on popcorn can make dogs’ stomachs upset. To boot, the fat in oil and butter also contribute to causing obesity and obesity-linked diseases.
But there’s another choice. Simple air-popped popcorn is a nice, rare treat for your dog. But kernels can get stuck in dogs’ teeth and cause a choking hazard, so it may be safest to keep whole or even partially popped kernels out of curious dogs’ reach.
Is Eating Popcorn Safe for Dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Yes and no. Unseasoned, air-popped popcorn is fine to feed your dog in moderation. Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings is not fine to feed your dog on a regular basis, but consuming a few dropped pieces here and there likely won’t hurt them. Like all snacks, too much popcorn can be harmful for your dog, so treats should make up no more than about 10% of their daily calories.
Movie night would not be movie night without a massive bowl of our favorite popcorn. It’s the perfect, instant snack because only a minute or two in the microwave is needed, and it’s a fairly healthful snack for us, being made of high-fiber whole grains. As we lounge on the sofa eating handful after handful, it’s just too easy for us to lose bits of popcorn, where our dogs will wait only too eagerly to gobble it up. But this does leave us with the question, can dogs eat popcorn?
We have prepared this guide to whether dogs are able to eat popcorn or not to provide all the answers. Keep reading to find out if your dog can join in with the next movie night treat or not.
Can Dogs Eat Popcorn
Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Yes, but only on specific conditions. Popcorn is fine for dogs to consume in small amounts but only if unseasoned and only on the occasional basis as a treat. It’s also best to observe to adhere to healthy feeding principles and ensure that treats should not exceed 10% of their total daily calorie consumption.
How Much Popcorn Can Dogs Have?
Popcorn is a treat, and treats should be fed in small amounts and compose no more than 10% of your dog’s entire daily diet’s calories, the rest from a full and well-balanced canine food.
Roughly 1 cup of air-popped plain popcorn contains roughly 30 calories.
Now, please keep in mind that the following are just rough guidelines based on your dog’s weight. Still, always consult with your vet to determine how much popcorn to feed your dog.
| Dog Size | Serving Size |
|---|---|
| Extra-small dog (2–20 pounds) | 1–2 pieces |
| Small dog (21–30 pounds) | 2–3 pieces |
| Medium-size dog (31–50 pounds) | 5–6 pieces |
| Large dog (51–90 pounds) | Small handful of pieces |
| Extra-large dog (91+ pounds) | Handful of pieces |
Although the odd piece of popcorn is unlikely to cause any damage, you should call your veterinarian if your dog has eaten lots of popcorn, particularly buttered popcorn by mistake.
Dogs must not be offered excessive portions of popcorn or there can be poisonous ill effects, with the primary involvement being the gastrointestinal system,” writes Dr. Herring. “Accidental consumption of a small quantity of popcorn is generally harmless unless your pet is prone to other disease.”
FAQs Regarding Dogs and Popcorn
Will popcorn poison dogs?
Even though popcorn is not toxic to dogs, it can be hazardous when eaten excessively, especially when mixed with harmful substances such as salt, butter, and other seasonings. Popcorn kernels pose a choking risk, particularly for smaller dogs.
Is popcorn good for puppies?
Plain air-popped popcorn is safe to feed puppies in small quantities, but popcorn is not really famous for being rich in nutrients.