Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? | What Do Vet’s Say?
Who doesn’t like watching a movie with an overflowing popcorn bowl and your dog lying beside you? While snacking, you might feel tempted to share it with your dog, but can dogs have popcorn too? The simple answer is yes! Dogs can eat plain popcorn in moderation. Dogs can eat plain popcorn in moderation, but there are healthier dog treat alternatives you can offer instead.
Unlike humans, who love to add flavor to popcorn by adding butter, salt, cheese, caramel, and other toppings, dogs cannot enjoy the luxury of having popcorn with these additional additives. Being one of those pet owners who want to know Can I give popcorn to my dog? You can rely on this pet life expert’s guide to determine if popcorn is good, bad, and safe for dogs.
“Note: It is strictly advised to consult your vet before introducing/adding new food to your dog’s diet. That’s because what suits one dog based on age, health, and breed might trigger the other. Particularly, dogs on a prescription diet must not consume any food besides their diet.“
Is Popcorn Good for Dogs?
Can a dog eat popcorn? Is it a good idea to give popcorn to my dog? These might be the concerns of every dog parent. Just like humans, plain popcorn isn’t that bad for dogs, nor that good either. However, feeding plain popcorn in moderation won’t impact their health.
Popcorn does contain a small quantity of thiamine, B vitamins, and riboflavin, which are helpful for boosting energy, improving digestion, and improving vision. However, you cannot expect any nutritional benefits from popcorn for dogs. Serving air-popped popcorn as a treat can be fun, but always be mindful of feeding in moderation. For actual nutrient-rich options, review What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat.
01out of 03Is Popcorn Bad for Dogs?
As discussed earlier, a small portion of simple popcorn is not toxic for dogs, but the additional ingredients in making and toppings make it harmful for dogs. Eating two or three won’t be the end of the world for your dog, but consuming it consistently over time can impact your pup’s health in many ways. Ingredients like salt can cause salt poisoning, and butter and cheese can result in weight gain and stomach or pancreatic issues.
Read more about harmful additives in Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Food.
02out of 03Common risks include:
- Harmful toppings
- Choking Issue
- Weight Gain
- Health Conditions
- Upset Stomach
- Sodium Poisoning
- Pancreatitis
Butter and cheese can also irritate the dog digestive system, which you can learn more about here: How Dog Digestive System Works.
03out of 03How Much Popcorn Can Dogs Have?
Now that you know whether dogs can eat popcorn or not, understand how much they can take. Considering a treat, popcorn should be fed in moderation, making up only 10% of your dog’s diet, while the rest must be well-balanced. As per nutritionist recommendations, 1 cup of air-popped popcorn contains approximately 30 calories.
Below is the table with general guidelines for feeding popcorn to your dog based on its weight and health conditions. However, a proper vet consultation is required before serving even a small amount of popcorn to your dog. If you want to know how to safely feed popcorn to your dog, review the adequate amount in this table.
Table-1
| Dog Size | (Dog) Examples | Serving Size |
| Extra-small dog/puppy (2–20 pounds) | Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Pugs, Pomeranians | 1–2 pieces |
| Small Dog (21–30 pounds) | Beagles, Basenjis, Miniature Australian Shepherds | 2–3 pieces |
| Medium-sized Dog (31–50 pounds) | Border Collies, Basset Hounds, Australian Cattle Dogs | 5–6 pieces |
| Large Dog (51–90 pounds) | German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Pit Bulls, Australian Shepherds | Small handful of pieces |
| Extra-large Dog (91+ pounds) | Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs | A handful of pieces |
If your dog has a disease history, consider safer treat alternatives: 5 Best Dog Treat Recipes.
Even though a small quantity won’t be a bad outcome, it will certainly make a difference if your dog eats a large amount of buttered cheese or salty popcorn accidentally or in your absence, particularly when your dog has a disease history.
How To Safely Feed Popcorn to Your Dog?
Giving popcorn to your dog safely requires some careful considerations that every dog owner must be aware of. Always check for the kernels in your air-popped popcorn before serving it to your dog.
01out of 05Don’t Microwave
Popcorn made in the microwave might contain diacetyl, which can harm dogs.
02out of 05Plain Serving
Toppings like cheese, salt, and oil are strictly prohibited; get served plain and air-popped. For treat safety, compare with Healthy Treats for Dogs
03out of 05Start With a Small Amount
Never place a popcorn bag or bowl in front of your dog; give them one or two at a time.
04out of 05Feed By Hand
To avoid choking, feed them popcorn with your hand slowly, one piece at a time.
05out of 05Signs to Watch for
Look at dog allergies after feeding, such as diarrhea, Vomiting, Lethargy, Excessive gas, Appetite Loss, and Itchy/inflamed skin.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Popcorn?
You won’t see any adverse effects if your dog consumes only a few plain popcorn pieces. However, if your puppy eats a large amount of popcorn accidentally and you notice any ill effects, it is strongly advised to seek veterinary guidance.
Kernels can irritate the digestive tract. Learn about the mechanics here: How Dog Digestive System Works.
You must particularly monitor your dog, who has dietary restrictions and cannot eat more than a few pieces of popcorn. If the situation worsens, you should immediately call the Pet Poison Helpline for emergency pet care.
For additional vet-backed warnings, consult PetMD
What are the Alternatives to Popcorn for Dogs?
If you are looking for something much healthier and safer for dogs to feed on, you can try some other treats like pup corn and chicken puffs. These light and crunchy treats can be fed to your dog without any health concerns because they are specifically formulated for dogs. Therefore, there’s no need to be careful of kernels and other choking and hazardous elements.
End Point
How should I feed my dog popcorn? Or what happens if my dog eats popcorn kernels? If you are among the pet owners with these queries in your mind, this guide covers all of your concerns. While popcorn is not toxic, not serving it moderately could cause severe health issues in dogs. Ensure you understand and follow the guidelines in this article when feeding popcorn to your puppies and dogs.
Related Reading You Will Find Helpful
- Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Food
- How Dog Digestive System Works
- What Fruits Can Dogs Eat
- What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat
- 5 Best Dog Treat Recipes
