It’s movie night and you’ve got a fresh bowl of popcorn in your lap, ready to turn on the film.
While your eyes are on the TV screen, you realize there are a separate set of eyes trained on you even more intensely.
Your dog wants some popcorn, and they’re going to watch you with laser focus until they get some.
But, is it safe to give your dog popcorn?
Well, we’re here to let you know the do’s and don’ts of popcorn with your dog.
Not all popcorn is created equal in the canine world, so read on to find out how you can give your dog what they want without giving them a tummy ache.
Is Popcorn Safe for Dogs?
The quickest answer we can give you is this: your dog will most likely be alright if they eat a piece or two of popcorn that falls on the ground.
So, if your pup just lapped up some movie night scraps, and you’re panic-searching the internet for answers, you can probably rest easy.
You should still keep an eye on your dog for a bit to make sure there’s no signs of vomit or diarrhea, but they will probably be fine.
If you’re still worried, it’s never a bad idea to call your vet up and make sure.
Professional medical advice from someone who knows your pet is always going to be more helpful and accurate than anything you may find on the internet.
That being said, the internet still has plenty of good advice to offer, especially concerning popcorn!
Which Popcorn Can My Dog Eat?
There are many different kinds of popcorn, and dog’s stomach can definitely tell the difference.
Only some types of popcorn are safe for dogs long term.
The best popcorn for dogs is plain, air popped popcorn.
Air popped popcorn has very little negative qualities and actually has a number of positive benefits.
It’s no super food, but plain popcorn is healthier than a lot of other treats you could give your pup.
It contains things like fiber, iron, and B vitamins, all of which are good for your dog.
Just make sure that you remove any whole, unpopped kernels before you feed it to your dog.
You can give it to your dog piece by piece, in little handfuls, or even make them a treat ball.
There are a number of recipes you can find online.
What Popcorn is Bad for My Dog?
You should avoid letting your dog eat microwaved popcorn
The microwaved bags of popcorn often come with a lot of flavoring, butter, and salt that can give your dog a tummy ache in the short term.
In the long term, regular feeding can cause some more serious health problems.
So, It’s best to avoid microwave popcorn altogether.
You probably shouldn’t share any pre popped popcorn with your dog for the same reasons.
Many sweet popcorn mixes are coated with chocolate or artificial flavors like xylitol, which are toxic to dogs.
Keep It Simple
With any sort of human food, it’s important to keep it simple.
Even with air popped popcorn, you shouldn’t over feed it to your dog, and it shouldn’t be a regular thing.
Remember, just like popcorn is a treat for you, it’s a treat for your dog.
Let them enjoy it, but don’t give them too much of a good thing.
Next movie night, try air popping your popcorn.
Set a little aside for your pup before you put your own flavors and seasoning on it.
That way, both you and your dog can enjoy a nice little treat for movie night!
