How to Feed Popcorn to Dogs
Though a few pieces of popcorn are unlikely to cause any ill effects, you should call your veterinarian if your dog has accidentally eaten a large quantify of popcorn, particularly buttered popcorn. Here are some other things to watch for:
“Pancreatitis is also a possibility, as is it weight gain and metabolic damage long term,” says Dr. Herring. “However, these problems are seen more commonly in those pets that have underlying diseases, are fed the buttered or salted versions, ingest large amounts or have other predisposing factors that could lead to ill effects.”
Q:Can dogs eat caramel popcorn?
A:No, dogs should not eat caramel popcorn as it is very high in sugar. Even a few pieces of caramel popcorn can cause your dog to feel ill. You should also avoid feeding your dog “sugar-free” caramel popcorn as it likely contains an artificial sweetener called xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Q:Can dogs eat popcorn kernels?
A:No, you should keep whole or partially popped kernels away from your dog. The kernels can get stuck in your pup’s teeth and cause dental issues and they also can pose a choking hazard.
Q:Can dogs eat popcorn chips?
A:No. While it’s probably not dangerous if you happen to drop a popcorn chip on the floor and your dog snatches it up, popcorn chips often have added ingredients and flavorings that are not good for your dog to consume, like salt and seasonings such as onion and garlic powder.
Q:Can dogs eat buttered popcorn?
A:Yes and no. A few pieces will probably not cause the any harm unless they have underlying medical conditions but to always be on the safe side, avoid serving buttered popcorn (which is also likely to be loaded with salt) to your dog.
Clubs Offering:
Nothing brings more joy to most dogs than helping you clean up after movie night. Popcorn always finds its way into couch cushions and onto the floor, where our dogs are happy to “hoover” them up. The question most of us forget to ask ourselves, however, is can dogs eat popcorn?
Popcorn itself is not bad for dogs. Popped corn kernels actually contain several minerals important to canine nutrition, like magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, and zinc, along with fiber and trace amounts of vitamins.
The stuff that makes popcorn taste delicious to humans, however, is a different story. The majority of us prefer our popcorn dripping with butter and loaded with salt, even though we know it is not good for us. The same goes for dogs. Butter, oils, salt, and the other toppings on popcorn can lead to intestinal upset in dogs, and the fats in oil and butter also contribute to obesity and obesity-related health problems.
There is an alternative. Plain, air-popped popcorn makes a nice, occasional treat for your dog. But kernels can get stuck in dogs’ teeth and pose a choking hazard, so it is probably a good idea to keep whole or only partially popped kernels away from curious dogs.
Nutritional Value of Popcorn
Corn is generally safe for dogs, but it doesn’t necessarily add any nutritional value to their diets. Many commercial dog food companies use cornmeal as a filler in their formulas, and while some say that the addition of corn adds important nutrients to the complete diet, there is plenty of debate on the topic of adding grain to dog food formulas.
This said, popcorn, in general, isn’t bad for your dog, especially in moderation; it just isn’t “healthy,” either.
Dogs can safely eat corn and corn products as long as they do not also contain added ingredients that could be harmful. When in doubt, stick to plain, unsalted, air-popped popcorn.