Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Plain Salted or Flavored?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Plain Salted or Flavored?“.

It can be difficult to resist the urge to share our food with our furry friends sometimes. Having a bowl of popcorn and watching a movie on a weekend you may have a question in your mind. Is popcorn safe for dogs to consume? Before you give your dog some popcorn lets make sure its safe.

Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?

As long as you are eating plain popcorn you can share popcorn with your dog. Air-popped popcorn should be unsalted unbuttered and unbuttered.

In most microwave popcorn products there is a high amount of butter and salt so if you plan to feed it to your dog you should avoid it.

If a piece or two of popcorn drops on the floor accidentally and your dog eats it it will not be a big deal but avoid giving your dog a handful of salted and buttered popcorn on purpose.

Therefore if you give your dog plain popcorn make sure you give it in small amounts.

Is Popcorn Healthy for Dogs?

Popcorn is a healthy treat since its kernels are rich in minerals such as phosphorus magnesium zinc manganese and fiber. In addition popcorn kernels contain a small number of vitamins.

If eaten plain popcorn is high in fiber cholesterol-free and fat-free. Furthermore popcorn is a good source of antioxidants.

• Various minerals such as magnesium calcium manganese and phosphorus are essential for bone development in puppies.
• The minerals zinc and potassium support your dogs overall health.
• Iron can be absorbed properly by your dog thanks to copper which can be found in popcorn.
• Iron can prevent anemia in your dog.

Side Effects of Popcorn for Dogs

There are some of us who would not want to eat plain air-popped popcorn. For us salt and butter are usually what we prefer.

This combination of butter oils and salt is not good for us and neither is it good for our dogs.

Your dog may experience stomach upsets from this combination. In the long run the fat and any other oils in popcorn can lead to obesity and diabetes.

Dogs who eat popcorn with toppings may also suffer from the following side effects:

• Stomach Upset
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration from the Salt
• Obesity / overweight dog
• Kidney Issues
• Choking Hazard

It is therefore safest to feed your dog plain air-popped popcorn but make sure you have completely popped the popcorn since partially popped kernels can get stuck in your dogs teeth.

Additionally the kernels can be choking hazards for your dog. Before giving your dog some corn be sure to remove the unpopped kernels from the bag.

Additionally remove those that are still somewhat hard and only half popped. A dog of a smaller breed may have a harder time eating popcorn than a dog of a larger breed.

If your dog is a smaller breed you may want to break up the popcorn into smaller pieces. This is just something to watch out for to make sure your dog does not choke.

Can Dogs Eat Buttered Popcorn?

Because buttered popcorn can upset your dogs stomach it is not suitable for him. Due to its hard-to-digest nature it can lead to obesity and diabetes in the long run.

One or two pieces every now and then will not cause any major problems. However you should not feed your dog buttered popcorn.

Can Dogs Eat Popcorn with Cheese?

Popcorn with cheese cannot be eaten by dogs. Whether your dog is lactose intolerant or not cheese contains a large amount of sodium which is not healthy for him.

Most of the time popcorn may contain cheese powder instead of actual cheese. Powdered cheese is made by pulverizing cheese and mixing it with sugar salt vegetable oil and whey. Fattening additives are added to this cheese.

The other types of cheese might contain garlic and onions which are toxic to dogs. You should therefore avoid cheesed popcorn for your dog to be on the safe side.

Can Dogs Have Salted Popcorn?

Popcorn with salt cannot be given to dogs. Their meals contain enough salt for them. Popcorns with an excessive amount of salt will result in too much salt in their bodies.

As we all know too much salt can lead to dehydration and then excessive water consumption which is not good for your dog.

A dog who does not drink enough water after eating salted popcorn might vomit experience muscle tremors or have seizures caused by salt toxicity.

Can Dogs Eat Kettle Corn?

However even though kettle corn isnot covered in butter it still isnot a good option for your dog. Kettle corn is made by cooking the kernel and then it is usually dusted with sugar and salt which is why it is sweeter.

It is possible for your dog to develop some of those concerning side effects if it consumes kettle corn. It is best if you keep the kettle corn away from your furry friend.

Can Dogs Eat Caramel Popcorn?

Caramel popcorn is not suitable for dogs. Caramel popcorn is becoming more popular in the last few years and it makes popcorn very sweet instead of a savory snack.

You can probably already assume that caramel popcorn will not be something you can feed your dog. Caramels can be harmful to your dog due to the large amounts of sugar and butter used to make them.

Additionally this can cause your dog to become overweight over time due to the increased amount of sugar in caramel popcorn.

Dogs cannot eat caramel popcorn even sugar-free varieties. The sweetness of sugar-free products is usually achieved by using fake sugar or sugar substitutes. The substitutes are typically made from toxic chemicals that are harmful to dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Popcorn Kernels?

There is no point in giving your dog hard popcorn kernels. Your dog could choke on the kernels and get dental problems as well. Your dogs teeth could be damaged by the hardness of the kernels.

Make sure the popcorn kernels are fully popped before feeding them to your dog.

Alternatives to Popcorn

You may want to consider finding an alternative snack to feed your dog instead since the majority of owners and people do not want to eat completely plain popcorn. This way you can still enjoy the buttery popcorn without feeling guilty about not giving it to your dog.

There are a few foods that are great for dogs to snack on:

Cooked Chicken

This will make an excellent snack if you happen to have some plain chicken in your house. A combination of chicken rice and vegetables is often used when people make their own dog food.

Various Fruits

Providing your dog with small amounts of fruits is another great snack. Fruits can only be given to dogs under certain circumstances and sometimes you will have to peel or core the fruit before giving it to your dog.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds without salt that are shelled are another excellent treat for your dog. Adding sunflower seeds to your dogs food or giving him a couple of handfuls of sunflower seeds can be beneficial for his health.

Cheerios

Cheerios are another snack that many people keep in their homes. Although cheerios do not really provide any nutritional value to your dog they do serve as a tasty snack or training treat.

Conclusion

Does popcorn taste good to dogs? If you feed your dog popcorn make sure it is air-popped without salt or any other additives. Unpopped kernels can cause problems for your dog if the popcorn isnot fully popped.

You should not feed your dog cheese or buttered popcorn because they are unhealthy. You should also treat popcorn like a treat rather than a regular food item. Does your dog like the taste of popcorn? Share your thoughts with us below.

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.

Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Plain Salted or Flavored? (Watch Video)