Optimeal® Blog

Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? How to Share Your Popcorn Safely

By Optimeal Team

20

May

As a dog parent, there’s nothing better than sharing the things you love with your fur baby. If you and your pup love to throw an at-home movie night curled together on the couch, you’ve probably wondered if you can share your movie snacks with your canine companion.

While it’s best to avoid giving your dog candy, overly processed foods, or foods with seasonings, your dog may be able to share some popcorn.

Can dogs eat popcorn? The short answer is yes! As long as you follow a few safety guidelines and share this tasty treat in moderation, there’s no reason why you can’t share this movie night favorite with your pup.

Let’s dig deeper into the nutritional benefits of popcorn, which safety guidelines to follow, and other tips to share popcorn safely.

Does Popcorn Have Nutritional Benefits for Dogs?

Popcorn itself makes an excellent movie night snack as it’s low in calories and fats while still offering a tasty crunch. In fact, there are a few nutritional benefits to this snack. Here’s what you need to know.

Minerals

Popcorn contains a few minerals that are excellent for your dog. These include:

• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorous
• Zinc

Fiber

Popcorn is also considerably high in fiber. Fiber is important for digestion and supporting gut health. One study of mid-distance training sled dogs found that a high fiber diet even helped support nutrient absorption in the stomach. Fiber helps support good bacteria while getting rid of bad bacteria found in the intestines.

Trace Vitamins

Your dog needs a range of vitamins in order to thrive. From vitamin A, C and E for immune support, to a balance of the B vitamins, our furry friends require variety and balance in their nutrition.

While popcorn is not a significant source of vitamins, there are some trace amounts worth noting. For instance, popcorn kernels contain small quantities of thiamin, niacin, and vitamin B6. These vitamins help support carbohydrate metabolism, energy production, cognitive function, hormone production, red blood cell production, and protein synthesis.

Antioxidants

Another nutritional benefit present in popcorn are antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential for many physical processes, and popcorn is one of their most surprising sources! Let’s break down some of the benefits of antioxidants, what they do, and why your dog needs them to thrive.

Antioxidants are compounds naturally present in foods. These compounds help combat harmful molecules known as free radicals in our dogs’ bodies. Free radicals are the harmful byproducts of normal processes like metabolism and stress, then other factors like pollution, cigarette smoke, and environmental stimuli can also produce free radicals.

The most significant danger of free radicals is that they can lead to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can lead to a range of health conditions and concerns for humans and dogs alike. It’s important that your pup gets a range of antioxidants from their diet so their bodies can fight oxidative stress and thrive.

Because they help fight free radicals and oxidative stress in the body, antioxidants can also help reduce the risk of developing diseases or getting sick. There are many antioxidants in popcorn, making it the perfect snack to share with your pup — in moderation.

Corn Allergies: What You Need To Know

While popcorn is a safe snack in most cases, it’s important to note that some dogs have a corn allergy. Just like humans, dogs can have allergies to certain ingredients and foods.

Corn is a common dog food allergy, so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of a dog food allergy, as well as some safety practices to keep in mind.

The symptoms that accompany dog food allergies typically include the following:

• Itching
• Sneezing
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Gas
• Gastrointestinal discomfort
• Excessive licking
• Scooting

Offer your dog a small amount of popcorn at first, and then monitor their behavior. If you notice any of these symptoms, your dog may have a corn allergy. If your dog does have a corn allergy, there are many corn-free dog foods that are packed with the nutrients your pup needs to thrive.

How To Share Your Popcorn Safely

While plain popcorn is considered a safe snack for dogs, there are some precautions to keep in mind as you get ready to share this treat.

Skip the Seasonings

Plain popcorn alone is an excellent, crunchy treat for you and your pup to enjoy. However, most popcorn comes with salt, butter, and other seasonings that aren’t so good for your dog.

If you want to share your popcorn safely, you have to skip the seasonings.

Seasonings like salt and butter can result in nutritional imbalances, gastrointestinal discomfort, and even obesity in dogs. Plus, any popcorn seasonings that include garlic, onions, or chives can be toxic to our furry friends. It should go without saying, but keep the candy popcorn away from your pup, too — this includes all of the gourmet popcorn with caramel and chocolate drizzle.

Instead of sharing the fancy stuff, stick to the plain popcorn you make at home. An air popper or stovetop will work for you to pop plain kernels, all from the comfort of your own kitchen, with the added benefit of getting to toss some to your fur baby.

Share in Moderation

When you share with your furry friend, you get to bond with them and show them how much you love them. And, as a pet parent, there’s nothing more important!

But remember, sharing with your pup is most beneficial when practiced in moderation.

One of the most common reasons dogs are overfed is because family members aren’t communicating how many treats or snacks they give their pups. Think of it this way. If your family has four members and you all love to share snacks and treats with your furry friend, that pup may end up getting four times the treats they need.

The best way to avoid overfeeding your pup is to communicate. When you sit down for a family movie night, set a limit on how many pieces of popcorn you can give your pup. This way, everyone is on the same page and you can avoid overfeeding your pup.

Choking Hazards

Popcorn kernels can also become a choking hazard if you’re not careful. In addition to its buttery, salty flavor, popcorn is also known for the characteristic kernels that get stuck in our teeth. Kernels can also get stuck in our dog’s teeth, which can lead to a choking hazard.

If you do choose to share popcorn with your pup, avoid giving them partially popped pieces where you can still see the kernel.

Overall Nutrition: Don’t Forget the Big Picture

Another way you can share your popcorn safely is to understand that popcorn doesn’t offer the wide range of nutrients your dog needs to thrive. While it does offer some nutrition with just a few calories, popcorn isn’t a replacement for dinnertime.

In fact, none of the snacks you give your dog throughout the day should replace their dog food. Your dog’s food is what fuels them. It’s what supports their health, wellness, and immune system so you can keep cuddling for more movie nights for many years to come.

What kind of nutrition is important in dog food? Your dog’s food should contain a range of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that support overall wellbeing, immune health support, and healthy digestion.

Our dog food selection here at Optimeal^® is diverse so you can find the perfect option for your dog, no matter what breed, size, age, or dietary restrictions they have.

Explore our super-premium, science-based dog food recipes here, and see how the right diet can help give your pup the full, healthy life they deserve.

Sources:

Thiamine Deficiency in Dogs | NASC LIVE

7 Vitamins Your Dog Needs for a Healthy Life | American Kennel Club

Antioxidants: What They Do and Antioxidant-Rich Foods | Cleveland Clinic

Frontiers | Supplemental Fiber Affects Body Temperature and Fecal Metabolites but Not Respiratory Rate or Body Composition in Mid-Distance Training Sled Dogs | Veterinary Science

Food Allergies | Pet Food Institute