Can dogs eat popcorn? How to safely feed your pup the snack

Olivia Munson, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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What's your favorite snack? For many, a go-to snack is popcorn. It's light and fluffy and can be buttery, salty, sweet or spicy, depending on your preferences. But what about man's best friend? Can a dog snack along with you?

While dogs can consume certain "human foods," it's hard to keep track of what is OK for your pet to eat. Read on to see if popcorn makes the list.

Can dogs eat popcorn?

Yes, dogs can eat popcorn, but it depends on several factors. Pet owners should be mindful of the type of popcorn before feeding it to their pets.

Plain, air-popped popcorn can be an occasional treat, according to the American Kennel Club.

Is it safe for dogs to eat popcorn?

Popcorn isn't bad for dogs, but it's not good for them either, Purina reports.

Popcorn has some nutritional value, containing magnesium, zinc, fiber, among other minerals. However, its benefits would not be outstanding since your pet's diet is primarily influenced by their dog food, according to Purina.

You might snack on flavored popcorn, but your dog shouldn't. Extra flavors and toppings, such as butter or salt, can pose a problem for your pooch, the American Kennel Club reports. They could cause an upset stomach and contribute to obesity if consumed frequently.

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How should I feed popcorn to my dog?

Similar to any human food, dogs should only eat popcorn in small quantities, according to Purina. A general guideline for treats is they should take up no more than 10% of your pet's daily calories.

While you shouldn't feed buttered popcorn to your dog regularly, they'll be OK if they eat a few pieces that may have fallen on the floor, according to the American Kennel Club.

If you do choose to feed popcorn to your dog, be sure to remove any unpopped or partially popped kernels since they could be a choking hazard.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is it safe for dogs to eat popcorn? What to know before you feed Fido