Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Here’s What the Experts Say (2023)

FAQs

Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Here’s What the Experts Say? ›

Yes and no. Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities. Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings is not safe for your dog on a regular basis, although eating a few dropped pieces here and there probably won't hurt them.

GI Issues: Popcorn contains fiber, and too much fiber can cause GI issues in dogs with symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. In addition, some dogs might have sensitive stomachs, and feeding them any human food could cause unpleasant GI symptoms.

McCarthy. Dr. Dimock agrees and says that a handful for a medium-large dog is plenty–and only use it as a treat or snack, not a part of their regular diet. So enjoy your next movie night guilt-free with your pup and a little bit of plain air-popped popcorn for a special treat.

Dogs love popcorn because it crunches and tastes great. An occasional kernel from you is fine, but if you use it as a treat or reward it is best to offer it to him plain or seasoned with appropriate dog flavorings.

What If Your Dog Eats Popcorn Kernels? Unpopped popcorn kernels can be hazardous for your dog. They can get stuck in your dog's teeth and cause dental issues or they can cause choking problems and even an intestinal blockage. If your dog ate just one or two kernels—depending on your dog's size—they may be OK.

Popcorn can cause a host of issues in dogs when consumed, including allergic reactions and an upset stomach. While it likely won't cause a life-threatening reaction, corn is one of the most common food allergies in dogs and should be approached with caution.

Generally, corn that is ground and cooked is easily digestible and a good source of energy, fiber, vitamins and minerals. And while plain popcorn is safe for dogs, steer clear of feeding them any unpopped kernels, as they can cause real damage to your dog's teeth, Dr. Evans says.

Whether speaking to new or seasoned pet parents, veterinarians are often asked 'can dogs eat peanut butter? ' The good news is that regular peanut butter is safe to give your dog as a treat. Just make sure to avoid peanut butter with Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in lower or sugar-free products.

​ Yes, dogs can eat cheese. In fact, cheese is often a great training tool, especially for puppies.

Can dogs eat bacon? ›

Bacon, bacon grease, ham, and fat trimmed off meat or bones contains a lot of salt and/or fat and at the least can cause indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea in both dogs and cats. These foods can also cause pancreatitis, a serious, potentially deadly inflammation of the pancreas.

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

Yes, dogs can eat eggs. Although it is not recommended to feed your dog eggs every day, they should not cause harm as the occasional treat. While eggs are full of nutrients, these are not necessary for your pet's diet as they will get everything they need from a high quality, complete dog food.

Unfortunately, although it may be tempting to share your cone with your four-legged friend, it's best to avoid giving ice cream to dogs.

Milk is a safe treat in small quantities. A few tablespoons of cow's milk or goat's milk on an occasional basis can be a nice reward for your dog. But, you should probably hold off on offering your dog an entire bowl in one sitting, as it can cause unpleasant reactions, including diarrhea, vomiting, and loose stools.

White potatoes belong to the nightshade family of vegetables, which includes tomatoes; like tomatoes, raw potatoes contain solanine, a compound that is toxic to some dogs. However, cooking a potato reduces the levels of solanine. If you do feed your dog a potato, it should be baked or boiled, with nothing added to it.

Dogs can safely eat bread in much the same way as humans—in moderation. Plain white and wheat bread are generally safe for dogs to eat, provided they don't have any allergies, and it usually does not cause any stomach upset.

Shrimp are also low in fat, calories, and carbohydrates, which makes them a good choice for dogs on a diet. However, shrimp are high in cholesterol. This means that while an occasional shrimp can be a healthy treat, too many can contribute to unhealthy cholesterol levels.

It's not a good idea to share salty foods like chips or pretzels with your dog. Eating too much salt can make your dog seriously thirsty. That means a lot of trips to the fire hydrant and it could lead to sodium ion poisoning.

The good news is that cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, though cinnamon essential oil can be toxic for pups. Your dog will not suffer fatal toxic effects from consuming too much cinnamon, but that does not necessarily mean you should be sprinkling it on kibble.

Can dogs have pineapple? ›

Yes. Raw pineapple, in small amounts, is an excellent snack for dogs. Canned pineapple, on the other hand, should be avoided. The syrup in canned fruits contains too much sugar for most dogs' digestive tracts to handle.

The bottom line is that you should never give pizza to your dog, whether as a meal or a treat. They might experience a slight stomach upset if they're sensitive to dairy, due to the excess fat, but overall in many cases dogs are fine.

In general, pickles are not toxic to dogs. They contain some nutritional health benefits, which in theory would make giving them to your pup perfectly fine. However, they are extremely high in sodium and contain ingredients that could be potentially harmful to a dog.

What's important to remember is that too much of any human food can be upsetting to a dog's stomach. Just because you're eating oatmeal daily for breakfast doesn't mean your dog should, too. Generally, you can feed your dog one tablespoon of cooked oatmeal for every 20 pounds of their weight.

Fruit. Steer clear of: Cherries are toxic to cats and dogs, and grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage. Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruit as well as persimmons can cause an upset stomach.

They won't harm your dog, but they don't provide much benefit either. Cheerios are made from mostly whole-grain oats, which provide no essential component of your pet's diet. As a result, mass-produced Cheerio treats function only as filler—they're just empty calories when dogs need a high-energy diet.

Can most dogs eat yogurt? Yes, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they should. While yogurt is not toxic to dogs, many canines might have trouble digesting it because it contains lactose. And plenty of pups have trouble with foods that contain lactose, such as milk.

While some of the vegetables we love are unsafe to feed our dogs, carrots are a perfectly safe and nutritious treat for your dog.

Eggs should be cooked before given to a dog. Cook or boil eggs plain without oil, butter, salt, seasoning, spices, or other additives. It doesn't matter how your dog likes their eggs — sunny side up, scrambled, or hard boiled — as long as they are cooked.

What Can dogs drink beside water? ›

Don't fret too much if your dog manages to snag a small bit of tuna off your plate when you aren't looking. Tuna is not inherently toxic to dogs, and a tiny amount will not cause mercury poisoning. If you own both a dog and a cat, make sure your pup isn't eating the feline's food, as wet cat food often contains tuna.

The seasoning added to cooked turkey can irritate your dog's bowels and cause digestive issues, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Turkey is often seasoned with garlic and onions, both of which are toxic to dogs.

The main problem with mashed potatoes and why they are “bad” for dogs, is that they are very starchy and packed full of carbohydrates and calories. That means it can be easy for your dog to eat too much, and all those extra carbs will quickly add up and lead to your pooch piling on the pounds.

Are French Fries Safe for Dogs? French fries—even saltless—simply aren't the best canine snack for a few reasons, says Thashia Reddy, DVM, a consulting veterinarian with Petcube Online Vet, a telehealth veterinary service. "They're typically high in fat and salt, which isn't good for dogs.

Cucumbers are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, and offer a low-calorie, crunchy snack that many dogs love. Cucumbers only contain about 8 calories per one-half cup of slices, compared to the 40 calories in a single medium biscuit, and are very low in sodium and fat.

But can dogs eat lettuce? In general, yes. Lettuce of the romaine, arugula, and iceberg varieties do not contain ingredients that can really harm your dog. After all, lettuce is 90 percent water and is also a low-calorie snack that could be a good training treat for an overweight dog.

It may be hard or confusing to figure out which fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog (here's a hint: grapes are definitely not safe), but yes, your best friend can have fresh strawberries. However, you should not feed your dog canned strawberries or strawberries in syrup. These are not good for your pet, at all.

Is it a good idea for my dog to eat a cracked raw egg over dog food? Yes, it is. It contains many beneficial components like protein, vitamins, and fatty and amino acids, making it a nutritional ingredient for homemade treats. But just as with any other good thing, moderation is key.

Sweet potato is a safe, healthy, and natural treat for dogs, offering a range of health benefits (and a sweet flavor they'll likely love). For example, sweet potatoes support a healthy digestive system thanks to their high dietary fiber content. They're also low in fat and contain essential vitamins like B6, C, and A.

Can dogs eat rice? ›

The answer is yes. Rice is an ingredient sometimes found in commercial dog foods. Many pet owners feed white rice to their sick dog. One of the reasons white rice is the chosen grain for a dog with an upset stomach is that it's easy to digest, quick to prepare, and low in fiber.

How to Safely Share Tomatoes with Dogs. While dogs can eat tomatoes, sharing too much with them can upset their stomach because of the acidity. Tomatoes are like any other treat—they should be consumed in moderation under supervision.

Oranges, tangerines, and other citrus fruits are not toxic to dogs — but never feed them grapes or raisins. Oranges, tangerines, and clementines are not toxic to dogs (although not so great for cats, who may have an issue with citric acid).

The answer is yes, with a couple of precautions. First, seeds could cause an intestinal blockage, so make sure you remove them. It's also a good idea to remove the rind because it can cause gastrointestinal upset. The benefits of watermelon for dogs?

While a few pieces of buttered popcorn dropped on the floor aren't going to lead to kidney failure, it's best to avoid giving your dog too many high-sodium items. So, you should always avoid popcorn with added salt, butter, oil, other seasonings, and preservatives—and, let's face it, that's most kinds of popcorn.

The worst thing that can happen to your dog eating popcorn is if the kernel gets stuck in his throat and he will try and cough it up until it is out. Don't you try and help him get it out because you could push it further – if your dog is battling you need to take him to the vet.

Popcorn is a nutritious, easy-to-digest food with plenty of fiber.

1. Pancreatitis or gastrointestinal upset in dogs that aren't used to popcorn or popcorn that contains seasonings and butter. Too much oil, fat, seasoning, and/or sugar can lead to gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis.

Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities. Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings is not safe for your dog on a regular basis, although eating a few dropped pieces here and there probably won't hurt them.

Any cookies, cakes or other treats containing grapes or raisins should be kept well away from dogs. Grapes and raisins may cause severe liver damage or even kidney failure in dogs.

Can saliva dissolve popcorn kernels? ›

With popcorn comes hulls and the occasional inflamed gum. Ouch! The shape of the popcorn hull is perfect for sliding up and between your tooth and gum, and because popcorn hulls are not easily broken down by saliva (like other foods that might become lodged) the problem can become serious.

Trauma to the inside of the mouth or throat can take many days to heal, and can also make it hard or painful for the dog to eat their regular food. Making the normal diet soft by running it through the blender with warm water may help. Your vet may dispense pain relief to help during the recovery period.

Dogs should not each ketchup; large amounts of ketchup are harmful to your dog's health because ketchups have added ingredients—like onion powder, garlic, salt, and sweeteners—that are dangerous to dogs.

That said, popcorn that's called “hulless” is a great alternative if you're looking for something that's less irritating than the large, hard hulls common with regular popcorn. Hulless popcorn is easier to digest and doesn't stick in your braces or teeth like regular popcorn hulls do.

Air-popped popcorn is the healthiest type.

Without a doubt, air-popped popcorn is the best type to nosh on. “It's low in calories, about 90 calories a cup and is fast and easy to make,” says Cohen.

What's the healthiest way to eat popcorn? Air-popped popcorn doesn't use oil and is the healthiest way to enjoy the snack, according to Cleveland Clinic. Popping it on the stovetop using oil can be a way to add healthy fats to your diet, just opt for walnut, avocado, canola, or extra virgin olive oil.