Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?
Plain, air-popped popcorn is fine. Nearly everything people put on popcorn is the problem, along with the kernels and hulls.
Plain, air-popped popcorn with nothing on it is fine for most dogs as an occasional treat. The trouble is that almost nobody eats it that way. Butter, oil, salt, caramel, cheese powder and chocolate drizzle are what turn popcorn into a problem, and the unpopped kernels and hulls are a hazard of their own.
The Version That Is Fine
Air popped, fully popped, unsalted and unbuttered. A cup of it is only about 30 calories and has a little fiber, which makes a few pieces a reasonable low calorie treat. Pick out the unpopped kernels before sharing.
What Makes Popcorn A Problem
| Popcorn | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plain air-popped | Fine, in small amounts | Low calorie, nothing added |
| Microwave popcorn | Avoid | Usually popped in oil or butter flavoring, and salted |
| Movie theater popcorn | Avoid | Very high in salt and fat. A bucket-sized share is a real stomach upset |
| Kettle corn and caramel corn | Avoid | Sugar, and caramel sticks to teeth |
| Cheese, ranch and savory flavors | Avoid | Seasonings often include onion and garlic powder |
| Chocolate-covered popcorn | Never | Chocolate is toxic to dogs |
| Sugar-free sweet popcorn | Never unless checked | May be sweetened with xylitol |
Salt And Fat
Popcorn soaks up whatever goes on it. Buttered, salted popcorn can bring vomiting and diarrhea, and a large fatty share can trigger pancreatitis in susceptible dogs. Eaten in quantity, salty snacks also make dogs very thirsty, and a dog that eats a whole bag of heavily salted popcorn is worth a call to the vet. If the seasoning is onion or garlic based, see our onions and garlic guide; if it has chocolate on it, see the chocolate guide.
Kernels And Hulls
- Unpopped kernels are hard enough to crack teeth, and small dogs can choke on them.
- Hulls, the thin papery skins, wedge between teeth and under the gumline in dogs just as in people, and can cause gum irritation or infection if they stay there.
- A whole bag at once, even plain, is a lot of bulk for a small dog’s gut.
How Much
A small handful of plain popped pieces for a medium dog, a few pieces for a small one. Popcorn is a treat for the fun of it, not nutrition, and it counts toward the same 10% of daily calories as every other extra.
If Your Dog Stole The Bowl
Most dogs that eat a bowl of buttered popcorn get an upset stomach and recover on their own. Call your vet if there is vomiting that will not stop, a painful belly, signs of pancreatitis such as a hunched posture and refusing food, or if the popcorn was chocolate-coated, sweetened, or seasoned with onion or garlic.
For any other snack question, check the food checker.
In The Kibble reads labels and publishes what the numbers say. Guides are general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your dog's history and we do not, so take anything here to them before you change how you feed.