Another question we often get asked is “Can dogs eat popcorn?”
Movie nights are the best, right? Well, cleaning up the mess is not. Luckily you have a companion to help you clean up the mess. And when that companion is none other than your beloved doggy, the level of contentment is awesome! Treats for everyone.
Well, no matter how hard you try to be careful while munching on popcorn, there is still residue in your bowl, on your couch, floor, in between your sofa, and your pajamas.
Yes, it happens to everyone when you’re a slamming popcorn in your mouth watching your favorite movie.
Dogs love to sniff and clean the mess for you. And when that happens, you probably ask is it safe to let them sniff and eat popcorn? Is it healthy for your dog to eat your snack as well?
Let’s find out if dogs can eat popcorn!
How Popcorn Affects Your Dog’s Health?
Popcorn itself is not unhealthy for your dog. It is the spices and flavor added to it that makes it bad for you AND your dog. Popcorns contain healthy micronutrients like minerals and vitamins that are essential for health, minerals like manganese, zinc, phosphorous, and fibers are beneficial for your dog’s health. Some macronutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are also present that are important for canine nutrition. Spices and other elements like oil, butter, cheese, and honey that are added to make flavorful, though, have a different story to tell.
A larger number of people like their popcorns loaded with cheese or butter, which is never healthy for us, and the same goes for our dogs. The high intake of saturated fats that includes oil, butter, and cheese can cause a host of issues like an upset stomach, allergic reactions, and obesity in dogs. As we have already established that obesity in pets is the root problem of many cardiac diseases and sometimes joint pain also so, dogs should avoid consuming unhealthy food products. Those giving you puppy-dog eyes are hard to resist but always research first when giving your dog something new.
Popcorn And Your Dog
Besides fats, the toppings and additives that are used in popcorn can leave many side effects on your dog’s health. Here are some commonly found problems in your dogs that are caused by heavy consumption of salted products enlisted below.
- Regular consumption of salt can lead to kidney damage
- Digestive issues which result in causing diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Prolonged obesity
- Dehydration because of excessive intake of salt
Popcorn pieces can cause physical harm to your dog as well. The kernels can get stuck in their teeth and can cause swelling of gums and tooth pain. This might produce a choking hazard to your dog.
An Alternative To Popcorn:
Plain, air-pooped, and unseasoned popcorn could be a better alternative. Of course, it is unlikely for you to eat plain-bland or probably a tasteless snack but, you could take some of your plain popcorn out for your dog before you season the rest of it for yourself. Once you have popped popcorns, remove the kernels before serving them to your dogs to eliminate the risk of choking hazards. The aim is to prevent your beloved dog from eating kernels.
How To Serve Your Dog Popcorn?
It is crucial to treat your dogs with homemade snacks. Consider searching for easy popcorn recipes for your dog that can be served to them as a healthy snack occasionally.
If your dog isn’t allergic to corn, here is an easy-simple popcorn recipe that takes less than 2 minutes to make and feed your dog.
- Add 1 cup of low-fat, low-sugar peanut butter into a cup of plain, unsalted, and fresh air-popped popcorn. Homemade peanut butter seems to be a good option as it does not contain Xylitol, which is a naturally occurring alcohol in plants. It is extremely toxic and could cause seizures, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level), and sometimes death to young dogs.
- Lastly, add a single teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil.
- Make small balls and put them on wax paper. Let it sit for a while and feed it to your dog.
So, Is Popcorn Safe For Dogs?
Partly, yes. Dogs can eat plain, air-popped, and unseasoned popcorns bare of any preservatives and additives added to it for flavor. Eating smaller portions of plain, unsalted popcorns are safe for your dogs.
Furthermore, popcorns with toppings or popcorns with additional flavors are a big no-no. Even though eating a few pieces of popcorns with toppings won’t hurt them, it is better safe than sorry. With that said, excessive intake of anything, whether popcorn or any other treat, is never good for your dog’s health.
Conclusion
So we have answered the question Can Dogs Eat Popcorn! Dogs are precious little creatures. As owners, it is obligatory to monitor their nutritional requirements. Also, finding what’s best to treat your dogs according to their metabolism is highly suggested. Consulting a health care professional is always appreciated before introducing anything new to your dog. It is advisable to choose the treats and snacks that your vet recommends.
According to nutritionists and veterinarians, treats should contain only 10% or less of the daily caloric intake of dogs. Above the normal range, several health factors can become affected. Hence, you should treat your dog with snacks only once a day, that too, in smaller portions.
