Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Explained with Facts.

Updated May 21, 2021

Over time, it has become more or less a tradition of holding a paper bag of popcorn while watching a new movie. Whether it is your home or a movie theatre, popcorn has become a popular companion while watching movies or shows.

But, if your dog is around you and you are enjoying your snack, your dog may probably come to you expecting a share of your snack.

But the question is, can dogs eat popcorn? is popcorn safe for dogs?

While pet owners generally like to share their food with their dogs, some food items may lead to harmful consequences regarding your dog's health.

So now, let's find out whether popcorns are safe for your dog or not.

Click here to jump to the conclusion.

About Popcorn

Being one of the most popular snacks of all time, popcorn has made a place in our daily food habits. In fact, popcorn itself is a very healthy and nutritious snack. The main ingredient of popcorn is corn which offers various nutritional elements including

  • Potassium
  • B-group vitamins
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Zinc
  • Manganese 

Apart from these, popcorn also has some fiber content that may help the digestion process. 

But, it is not the Popcorn that is unsafe for dogs. Rather, the flavor enhancers and the additives pose the main risk. Oftentimes, popcorn is accompanied by a high amount of butter or oil, salts, and other toppings such as caramel, chocolate, and sometimes cheese as well. As you may already know, the above-mentioned ingredients are never healthy for your dog.

Side Effects of Popcorn in Dogs

While the plain and air-popped variation of popcorn is healthy for both dogs and humans, the enhanced versions containing additives are not safe for your dog.

They even come with several Side Effects including

  • Dehydration caused by the excess amount of salts present in popcorn.
  • Obesity caused by the sugar content of sweeteners (such as caramel, chocolate, sugar syrups, etc.) And the fat content of butter and oil.
  • Diarrhea and some other digestive problems that may arise if your dog faces difficulties digesting the contents of popcorn.

Other than these, some dogs usually have a habit of smelling the food before consuming it. In that case, these fluffy popcorns potentially pose a risk of choking hazards.

Can I Give My Dog Popcorn? Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?

Well, if you are planning to share popcorns weather, stick to the plain, unsalted, unsweetened, air-popped popcorns. This way, the Popcorn still has the nutritional values but it does not contain any harmful substances for your dog. 

 If you are a fan of flavored popcorn and you are making those at home, what you can do is, you can keep some popcorns separately before adding the flavors or toppings. That way your dog can enjoy the healthy plain popcorn, and also you don't have to miss the flavored ones.

Remember, popcorn should not be included as a daily item in your dog's diet. Rather, it should be offered as an occasional snack in a moderate amount. Remember, every time when it comes to feeding your dog human food, moderation is the key thing you should remember.

Here are the answers to some most frequently asked questions

Is microwaved popcorn bad for dogs?

Generally, microwave popcorns contain some ingredients that are used to enhance the flavor and texture of the popcorn. One such ingredient is Diacetyl which might not be healthy for your dog. Also, most microwave popcorn are flavored with butter, salt, and sweeteners that are not good for dogs. So, you should avoid giving microwave popcorn to your dogs.

Can popcorn upset a dog's stomach?

Yes, eating popcorn may lead to an upset stomach in some cases. Moreover, your dog may face several other issues and symptoms if he has allergies to corn. In that case, you should contact your vet to seek further advice.

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