Culture and Lifestyle Pets Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Here's What Veterinarians Have to Say Ever wonder if popcorn is something your dog should really eat? Here's what veterinarians say about letting your dog snack on popcorn. By Jennifer Nelson Jennifer Nelson Jennifer Nelson is a respected, awarding winner pet writer who has shared her knowledge of dogs and cats for over a decade, writing for many pet publications and consumer magazines. She's always got a dog by her side. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on May 22, 2023 Fact checked by Jennifer Hawk Fact checked by Jennifer Hawk Jennifer Hawk is a former English professor with 24 years of experience guiding even the most reluctant through the labyrinths of writing, rhetoric, and research. brand's fact checking process Share Tweet Pin Email Pop, pop, pop. Your dog instantly knows when the air popper is hoppin' and traipses over to get in on your snack. But aside from the cuteness overload of tossing Fifi popcorn and perfecting her mid-air catch, should your pooch actually eat popcorn? We got the skinny (popcorn is a low-fat snack after all) from two veterinarians who were happy to weigh in before movie night at your house. "Yes, dogs (and cats) can eat popcorn! It's a low-calorie food that pets love, so it makes a great treat," says Dr. Angelica Dimock, managing shelter veterinarian at Animal Humane Society. Dr. Dimock even recommends plain popcorn to replace high calorie treats for dogs that need to lose a little weight. Brandi Thompson / EyeEm / Getty Images Which Popcorn is Best for Dogs? "When feeding popcorn to your pet, it's important that the popcorn is plain and preferably air popped. Popcorn that is covered in butter (even fake butter), salt, and seasonings can cause stomach issues for your furry friends," Dr. Dimock says. She adds that while pets can handle small amounts of "people food" as treats, for their health, it's best to not feed your pet only human food. It's good to note that microwave popcorn typically is high in salt (and fats), which can be a problem for some canine cardiac patients. But plain, air-popped corn in small amounts is a perfectly acceptable treat for your pooch. Easy on the Portion Size "Now this doesn't mean you should let your doggie eat a whole bag of Jiffy Pop," says Dr. Matthew McCarthy, founder of Juniper Valley Animal Hospital. Like people, who fill up on nutritionally deficient foods like snacks, it's not a good idea for your pets either. "Ideally keep snacks, treats, and people foods to less than 10 percent of your dog's daily caloric intake," says Dr. 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. Frequently Asked Questions Can dogs eat popcorn kernels? According to the American Kennel Club, popcorn kernels can be a choking hazard or get stuck in a dog's teeth. Depending on a dog's size, consuming a kernel might be acceptable, but it's best to avoid feeding dogs partially popped or whole kernels. Can dogs consume popcorn with toppings? Popcorn toppings, such as butter, oil, and salt, are not recommended for dogs. While dogs will likely tolerate small amounts of butter, these toppings can cause health problems such as intestinal and obesity-related issues. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Southern Living is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Forrest R, Awawdeh L, Esam F, Pearson M, Waran N. Potential owner-related risk factors that may contribute to obesity in companion dogs in Aotearoa New Zealand. Animals. 2022; 12(3):267. doi: 10.3390/ani12030267