When you hear the word popcorn, you probably think of that fun treat with the buttery, salty flavor and a crunchy texture.
While you can enjoy this snack on your movie night, it also has quite a bit of nutritional value. Popcorn has one of the highest-fiber contents of any snack food. It’s also a good source of protein, vitamin B, and manganese. But there's more to love about it too.
Popcorn also has some unexpected health benefits that you may not have known about. In this article, we’ll take a look at all of the benefits of popcorn. We’ll also discuss how much you can feed your canine friend and answer the question, can dogs eat popcorn?
Which Popcorn is Best for Dogs?
Can dogs eat popcorn? The answer to this question is a resounding yes, but the type of popcorn will depend on your dog’s age, size, and health status.
Dogs that are younger and smaller should have small kernels of popcorn with little to no seasonings or toppings.
If your dog is older or has any health issues, they can eat kernels that are slightly larger with salt or other seasonings added in moderation. You might monitor their dog food carefully, but if you ruin it with snacks, all your hard work could be for nothing.
Be careful not to feed them too much popcorn as this will be bad for your furry friend.
Nutritional Benefits of Feeding Popcorn to Your Pets
There are a few different factors that can affect how healthy popcorn is for your dog, including how it's prepared and served.
At its core, popcorn can be a pretty healthy snack for humans and dogs alike. When it's plain air-popped, without salt, butter, or sugar, it's nutritional and contains plenty of fiber, which is good for the digestive system. As far as a snack for your dogs, popcorn has many benefits.
- Popcorn is a low-calorie snack for dogs. It typically only contains about 25 calories for one cup's worth of kernels without any toppings. That's best for your dog's health.
- Popcorn kernels are easy to digest. They're made up of mostly air and water, which means they don't stress out your dog's stomach as some other foods might.
- The popcorn kernel is soft on the inside so it breaks down easily in the digestive tract.
- It’s a good source of fiber. One cup contains around four grams of fiber which helps keep things moving in the digestive tract and results in a healthy life for your pets.
However, popcorn does contain a little bit of sodium which may not make it the best option for your dog on a regular basis.
Types of Popcorn
Popcorn can be a great movie night snack. It is most often made by cooking kernels in oil and then adding salt or by using a popcorn machine. But it can also be made with an air popper, or even in the microwave.
There are a variety of different flavors to choose from, such as caramel corn, kettle corn, buttery popcorn, plain popcorn, and cheddar cheese popcorn. Many of these flavors aren't just for pet parents; they make a great dog snack.
Popcorn Kernel
Popcorn is a type of corn that can be eaten, but it’s also the part of the corn kernels that pop when heated.
Popcorn kernels are high in protein and fiber, and they’re also low in sodium. They contain very few calories: just 18 per cup.
Microwave Popcorn
If you want to give popcorn to your dog, it's best to avoid this type of popcorn.
Microwave popcorn is often loaded with ingredients that are bad for dogs. It could have too much salt or contain artificial flavors like garlic powder and other chemical preservatives.
As safe alternatives, try air popping some kernels in the oven or making your own batch of healthy microwave popcorn to prevent sodium ion poisoning, gum disease, intestinal upset, or abdominal pain.
Air Popped Popcorn
If you’ve tried to watch a movie before with your dog and it was difficult because he was jumping around, eating popcorn, or just being a bother, then you might want to try air-popped popcorn. This is easier for many people to eat compared to other forms of popcorn. Plus, this type of popcorn doesn’t have that greasy taste which makes it harder for the humans in the room to enjoy the snack.
It is more than just a healthy snack for your dog; it can also be used as a training treat. Your pet will work harder when they know they will receive something tasty at the end as a result of their hard work.
Giving your dog a small amount of this type of popcorn is also great if they are experiencing separation anxiety.
Buttered Popcorn
Popcorn can be made in many ways, with different seasonings and toppings. Butter is a tried-and-true favorite.
Popcorn has a low-calorie count when compared to other snacks like potato chips or cookies. But that calorie goes up when adding butter, so keep this in mind.
Popcorn Hazards
The key to understanding popcorn hazards lies in knowing how much of the corn kernel remains after popping.
The more partially popped kernels that remain, the less likely it is that your dog will be able to consume and digest them. In general, you should keep in mind that any food with a hard shell or tough consistency might be hazardous for your dog; specifically your dog's teeth.
A lot of foods are okay for dogs, but some can lead to serious problems if they swallow too many pieces.
Upset Stomach
One of the most common medical conditions that pop up in dogs is an upset stomach.
Studies have shown that when dogs eat popcorn, it can relieve this condition by as much as 85%. This is another reason why popcorn is a good snack for dogs.
Choking Hazard
The first and most obvious risk of feeding your dog popcorn is that it can be a choking hazard. If you give your pet a large piece of popcorn, they may try to eat it whole, forgetting that they need to chew their food. This can lead to choking or blockages in the digestive tract.
Salt Toxicity
Dogs can get salt toxicity from eating too much salty food, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms of salt toxicity vary depending on the severity, but they typically come on quickly.
If you notice any symptoms after your pup has eaten popcorn, take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
As a general rule of thumb, you should only give your dog small amounts of salty foods like popcorn. Give them less than a tablespoon per serving (or roughly three tablespoons per day). Giving more than this amount could result in your pup developing salt toxicity and other health problems.
So, is it Safe for Dogs to Eat Popcorn?
The short answer is yes, popcorn is safe for dogs to eat. But before you start feeding your companion a big bowl of a tasty snack, there are some things you should know.
First, it’s important to note that most dogs don’t need to be on a diet specifically tailored for them. However, if you want to give them popcorn as a special treat or reward, it should only be in small quantities. And just like humans, there are certain types of popcorn that are better for them than others.
The best type of popcorn for your dog will have no salt or butter and will be popped in oil without being seasoned with anything else.
So what kind of popcorn should you feed your dog? Plain air-popped popcorn is perfect!
How to Safely Feed Popcorn to Your Dog
As we mentioned earlier, there are many benefits to feeding your dog popcorn. However, it’s important to consider the risks involved in doing so.
Popcorn contains a high level of sodium and fat, which can increase your dog’s risk for developing pancreatitis, heart disease, and weight gain.
Dogs should not consume more than two cups of popcorn per day because it can cause gastrointestinal blockages. While there are some benefits that come with this food, it's important to understand the risks as well.
Safe Healthy Treat Alternatives
If you’re a dog owner, then you know how difficult it is to find healthy treats for your furry friends. We’ve all tried to give our dogs the occasional treat, but we can’t always trust that they enjoy them or that they’re good for them!
Popcorn is safe for your canine friend to eat, but it’s not recommended that you feed them too much. It is recommended not to feed any more than three pieces at a time to your pup. It is also recommended to limit the amount of salt and butter on the popcorn to minimize the risk of stomach upset.
There are many other snacks that are just as tasty, like fruits and vegetables, which are better options than popcorn if you want to give your dog an occasional treat.
Now that's a snack worth sharing!
FAQ
What is the Right Portion Size?
Your dog should mostly stick to pet food and human food should be saved for the humans.
But if you're going to give your dog popcorn along with their regular dog food, stick with just a few pieces at a time.
Can Dogs Eat Popcorn That's Sweet or Seasoned?
Many popcorn lovers prefer to eat popcorn that is sweet or seasoned. However, you should never feed your dog any type of popcorn that has sugar content or seasoning.
The reason for this is because it could be harmful to their health and in some cases, even fatal. It's important to also note that even if the popcorn has no sugar, there are still risks for your canine friend.
Seasoning can be toxic to dogs because they don't always know when enough is too much, and they may end up ingesting more than they should.
Is Popcorn Bad for Dogs?
In today’s world, it can be difficult to decide what is good or bad for your pet. And while there are some foods that you should never feed your dog, popcorn is not one of them.
Popcorn is a tasty, great snack that’s high in fiber and nutrients, as well as low in calories. As long as you don’t add butter or other toppings like salt or pepper, popcorn can also be a healthy snack for your pooch! In fact, some doctors recommend the consumption of popcorn for dogs to treat issues like diarrhea and constipation. A few pieces of air-popped popcorn here and there won’t hurt your dog at all.
But the benefits of eating popcorn goes beyond a simple snack. Popcorn has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors in people (and canines alike), and it may also help lower cholesterol levels by preventing the buildup of plaque on artery walls or tooth decay. There’s not much research on this topic yet, but if you want to keep your pup as healthy as possible, try including a few dropped pieces of this yummy treat in their diet once in a while!
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can feed your dog popcorn. As a matter of fact, it might be good for them! Popcorn is high in fiber and can help keep its digestive system functioning properly. It’s also a great source of protein and other vitamins and minerals. Just make sure to choose a healthy bag of popcorn that doesn’t have any added salt or butter.
You can give your dog a few pieces of popcorn per day.