Can dogs eat popcorn: Dogs can eat popcorn, but vets reveal the popular toppings that can make them unwell

Name a more perfect movie snack than popcorn: we'll wait.

Add a crack of salt and a slather of butter and you're all set for the night.

Picture you're watching a film on the couch with your dog: you might be tempted to throw a stray piece of popcorn from the bowl for your pooch to enjoy.

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But according to vets, while they can have the snack, there's some additional ingredients that can risk health issues.

We've spoken to Dr Kelsie O'Leary and Dr Rowena Spreckley from Greencross Vets for everything you need to know, including the popular type of popcorn they don't recommend.

Is it safe for dogs to eat popcorn?

The short answer is yes.

The vets say a few pieces of popcorn are fine for your dog as long as it doesn't have the following: butter salt, oil or seasoning (more on that later). 

How many pieces of popcorn can you give your dog?

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Now we know popcorn is generally safe for dogs, the real question is how much is OK.

According to Dr O'Leary and Spreckley, there's “no specific dose or number that is known to be harmful” to dogs.

However, the vets say popcorn is OK just as a treat and “should not be fed in excess”.

Can dogs eat popcorn with salt?

Salt is arguably to popcorn what peanut butter is to jelly: a match made in heaven.

But the vets reveal overdoing their salt intake can made your dog ill. 

“Similarly for humans, salt in small quantities is a part of a nutritionally complete diet for dogs,” the vets say. But too much can “cause issues such as gastrointestinal upset and salt toxicity”.

“Because of this risk it is safer to give plain popcorn to avoid the risk of easily feeding your dog too much salt and making them unwell.”

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Can dogs eat popcorn with butter?

In the same vein, butter is a topping best avoided.

The vets explain that while not toxic, the high fat content in butter can lead to health issues such as gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis.

“To be on the safe side it is best to give plain popcorn as a treat,” the recommend.

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Can dogs eat popcorn kernels?

But what about popcorn in it's pre-cooked state?

While popcorn is typically best enjoyed cooked, if you're wondering whether you can feed the leftover kernels to your dog, the answer is probably best to avoid. 

“Feeding dogs corn kernels is not recommended due to the risk of chocking and the fact they are very difficult to digest,” Dr O'Leary and Spreckley say.

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Can dogs eat microwave popcorn?

While many might reach for a pre-cooked bag of popcorn bought from the supermarket, another way to enjoy the snack is in a bag you then pop in the microwave.

Microwave popcorn is an easy way to prepare the snack and eat while warm.

However, the vets don't recommend giving it to your dogs.

They explain while a small amount is unlikely to be harmful, microwave popcorn is “high fat and salt and some may have additives such as artificial sweeteners and flavouring which could become toxic to cats and dogs.”

Instead, they recommend buying plain popping corn for your dog with no oil or salt.

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