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Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?

can dogs eat popcorn

The simple answer to the question, can my dog eat popcorn is YES.

Movie Nights for us is on Tuesday, where we snuggle on the couch with a cozy blanket and share a large bowl of salted butter popcorn, red vines, and our favorite beverage. 

safe for dogs to eat

Yes, dogs can eat popcorn.

Plain popcorn is fine in moderation. Any toppings such as butter, salt or artificial flavors should not be given to your puppy.

From the day we got Sassy, she has begged and whined for human food. We all know that dogs should not eat human food, but who could say no to such a cute face.

Sassy riding in bike basket smiling

Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?

Knowing that plain air-popped popcorn is quite healthy, low in fats and calories, high in fiber, we always put aside a small amount for her, making sure there are no unpopped kernels.

If you’ve considered giving your puppy popcorn, a few things you should know before sharing your favorite snack with your puppies.

Related Topic: Can dogs eat pickles?

Can dogs eat popcorn? What you need to know

Yes, dogs can eat popcorn! Popcorn is non-toxic to them, but there are a few precautions you should take before sharing it with your puppy. Most of us prefer her to have our popcorn dripping with butter and loaded with salt or some type of flavoring even though we know it’s not healthy for us.

The same thing goes for dogs. Butter, oils, salt and other toppings on popcorn can lead to an upset tummy in your puppy, and the fats in the butter contribute to obesity or obesity-related health problems.

The alternative is to give your dog plain air-popped popcorn in moderation. Be sure to remove any of the unpopped kernels which can get stuck in your dog’s teeth and pose a choking hazard or possibly even crack a tooth.

The key is moderation, a few pieces of popcorn that have fallen on the floor or couch will probably not harm your puppy.

Plain unsalted, unbuttered air-popped popcorn is high in fiber and has several minerals that are beneficial to dogs such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, and manganese.

Can puppies eat popcorn with butter?

Buttered popcorn melts in your mouth, so what’s not to love about it?

As much as we love the taste of buttered popcorn, it’s not the best kind of treat.

Technically, a small amount of buttered popcorn will not harm your dog, but we all know how hard it is to stop giving your puppy treats.

That’s why it’s best to just feed your puppy plain, unsalted, buttered, air-popped popcorn as a treat instead of the buttered version.

Can puppies eat cheese popcorn?

Cheese popcorn may be tasty, but puppies should not be fed this kind of popcorn.

The cheese that’s added to the popcorn tends to be high in salt and other preservatives which may not be suitable for your puppy.

It’s best to avoid feeding your puppy cheesy popcorn.

Can puppies eat salted popcorn?

Salted popcorn is not healthy for your dog and should be avoided.

Dogs get enough salt and other nutrients if they are given a well-balanced dog food diet, to begin with.

Avoid feeding your dog or puppy salted popcorn altogether.

Too much salt in a dog’s diet can wreak havoc on their system. Excessive salt throws a dog’s electrolytes out a balance which leads to a malfunction of their cells. This is also known as “salt toxicity.”

The following or some symptoms of too much salt in a dog’s diet:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive thirst
  • Excessive urination
  • Seizures

Salt toxicity can even kill your dog if you don’t get her checked out in time.

Call your veterinarian immediately if you see any of the above symptoms.

Your veterinarian will start your dog on IV fluids to bring the electrolytes back to balance. Avoid all high in human salty foods.

Final Thoughts: Can dogs eat popcorn?

The answer to this question is a complicated one, but in general, the answer is YES. Homemade, unsalted, buttered, air-popped popcorn in moderation can be a wonderful treat to share with your puppy.

Be sure to remove any unpopped kernels to avoid getting them stuck between her teeth or even cracking a tooth. So the answer to the question, can puppies eat popcorn is yes.

I hope I’ve answered the question, “can dogs eat popcorn?” to your satisfaction. Please leave a comment or question below. I look forward to responding to your comments. Don’t forget to share the article with your friends and loved ones too.

Liz

I'm a self-employed blogger, life-long pet parent, and lover of dogs. I have always loved animals, especially puppies. So when my family got our first dog 15 years ago, it was love at first sight. We named her Sassy because she was so small, cute, and had a sassy personality! Once we got her home, I wanted to know everything about caring for her, so I researched online. Eventually, this led me to create the PUPPYFAQS website, where I write about nutrition, health, and care of puppies and the latest news in the world of puppies. In my spare time, I volunteer at my local shelter, which is run by volunteers who are passionate about helping homeless dogs find their forever homes. If I'm not working or volunteering for dogs, you can find me spending time with my family, friends, and my puppy. I have been writing professionally online since 2009. In addition to PUPPYFAQS, I also write for several other pet-related publications.

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