Can dogs eat popcorn?

Updated 13/04/2024

Popcorn: it's the ideal movie-side snack for us humans - it's easy to make and it's considered to be pretty healthy, when compared to other popular treats like crisps or chocolate. And as we know that nothing quite beats snuggling up with your pup on the sofa after a long day, it might get you thinking - can dogs eat popcorn? Or should any runaway popped kernels be caught before your pup can sniff them out? Well fortunately for your snack-loving pup, popcorn can be a safe, occasional treat if it's served plain and of course, fully popped. And because we know you've got your pup's wellbeing at the front and center, we're exploring some of the commonly asked questions about feeding dogs popcorn below.     

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Is popcorn poisonous to dogs?

Just to clarify, there's no part of popcorn that's poisonous to dogs, unlike other foods we humans enjoy, like onions and chives. The main hazard that popcorn poses is choking - kernels that aren't fully popped could easily get stuck in your poor pup's throat, so be sure to remove these before letting your dog have a nibble. Another hazard with feeding popcorn to dogs is the seasoning. While we humans love to coat our snacks in sugar, salt and other flavorings, these are all bad news for dogs. So, if you know your pup pines for a piece when you're tucking in, either have their favorite dog biscuits to hand or keep a few fully popped kernels aside for your pooch before adding any seasonings for yourself.     

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Is popcorn good for dogs?

So can dogs eat popcorn and get any kind of health benefits or is popcorn bad for dogs generally? Well popcorn does contain a few minerals that, when ingested via dog food, are great for your pup's health (we'll get into those below). But, like with most of the snacks we humans reach for, popcorn really isn't an essential part of your dog's diet. In fact - as you probably know - there's no need to add anything extra to your dog's diet for nutritional reasons, so long as they're being fed the right pet food for their breed, size and age. And if you're trying to make things more interesting for your grub-loving pup, change up the dog food flavor rather than adding 'human' foods into their diet.   

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Health benefits of eating popcorn for dogs

As we've said, there's never going to be any nutritional need for dogs to eat popcorn, but the micronutrients present that do both humans and pups good can include vitamins B1, B3 and B6, plus iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.  

Feeding your dog popcorn

The best way to allow your pup to enjoy those airy morsels is to pop the kernels yourself. That way, you'll know that zero additional additives have been laced throughout it. Pop the kernels in the microwave, a saucepan or in a popcorn machine if you've got one. Then, sift through the popcorn and remove any that aren't fully popped - these are a serious choking hazard for your pup. And of course, refrain from adding any seasonings, sugar or fat to your dog's popcorn portion - these are likely to be unhealthy, if not harmful. There is still a huge risk of choking, therefore it is generally recommended to stick to more dog-friendly snacks that do not pose as much of a risk. 

Can dogs eat microwave popcorn?

Microwaving the popcorn for your dogs is perfectly safe, alongside popping the kernels in a saucepan or in a popcorn machine. In fact, doing this yourself at home is the best way to make sure your dog's treat isn't riddled with harmful toppings.

Can dogs eat caramel popcorn?

And is popcorn okay for dogs if it's coated with a little caramel? Sadly not - no matter how much your pup's nose twitches when the caramel popcorn comes out, don't be tempted to share even a tiny piece - sugar is seriously bad news for dogs.

Can dogs eat kettle corn?

Kettle corn is also no good for your canine companion. It's often coated with butter, oil, salt or sugar, which means it's seriously unhealthy for dogs.

Can dogs eat popcorn with butter?

And lastly, can dogs have popcorn with a smidge of butter? Definitely not - despite the fact that butter adds a silky, salty quality to popcorn for us humans, additional fat is bad news for dogs. The solution? Keep a little plain popcorn aside if you'd like your pup to try it. Otherwise, stick to good old fashioned dog treats.

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Other foods that are safe for dogs

So, now that we've covered the question - can dogs eat popcorn - you're probably curious to know some of the other foods dogs can eat. Take a look below to get started. 

• Cheese
• Oranges
• Salmon

Related article: Can dogs eat onions?

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.