Is Popcorn Safe for my Dog? Everything you need to know.

Whether you are going to the cinema to catch the latest blockbuster, or sitting at home on the couch to binge watch the latest series, nothing is quite as nice to snack on as popcorn. And like you, I love my popcorn!! No matter how often I walk up to the counter at the Cinema to order my popcorn chanting to myself in my head: "Just go for the medium box", "Just go for the medium box" . . . .  my mouth opens up and says "the mega-large box of popcorn please!!"

But as much as we hoomans (what our doggies call us) love our popcorn, does popcorn make a suitable food or treat for your dog? Let’s find out shall we?

The basic answer to this question is yes – popcorn, in its plainest form is absolutely fine to share with your dog. Basic, unflavoured popcorn has almost nothing to it and so there’s nothing to upset your dog’s stomach there.

But how many of us eat just plain popcorn? I know I don't! (Sweet and Salted for me please)

Wherever you go to purchase your popcorn from, usually it has been flavoured, and this is where we encounter some issues. Salted popcorn is not good for dogs as it’s very salty indeed which can cause health issues. By the same token, sweet popcorn is usually very sugary and will contribute to weight problems with your dog as well as hiding sugary ingredients which really are not good for our dogs. Buttered or caramel/toffee popcorn is certainly out as it’s just too fatty, and that doesn’t leave us with many options does it? 

But before we carry on, if a piece of our popcorn falls on the floor and our dog hoovers it up before you’ve had the chance to grab it, is it going to make them ill? It will likely NOT cause any issues, but popcorn with any flavouring shouldn’t be used as a treat for our dog.

If you want to treat your dog to their own little bowl of popcorn, making your own popcorn is the best way to make sure it’s totally dog-friendly. Avoid adding any oil, butter, salt, sugar – or anything else you fancy on top – and dish up a small handful before you start making your own. there are many recipes out there in google-land.

And if you’re short for time, the collection of popcorn found here at Smiley Myley Dog Accessories are perfect to order for a Saturday movie night in. (We currently have a peanut butter flavoured popcorn)

Health benefits of popcorn for dogs

Popcorn is actually healthy for your dog! It contains potassium and calcium and is very low on calories when prepared all-natural. 

Adding small amounts of plain, air-popped popcorn can also have health benefits for your pet. In addition to being low in calories and high in fiber, popcorn has some vitamins and minerals that can help keep your pet healthy. These include:

• Magnesium
• Copper
• Zinc
• Iron
• Vitamin B

How Much Popcorn Can I Give My Dog?

If you want to share a bit of popcorn with your pup, it's essential to do so in moderation. When it comes to popcorn, a few pieces without any added toppings are generally considered safe. Remember that it should only be an occasional treat rather than a regular part of their diet.

If you do not have the time to make popcorn at home, then having dog friendly popcorn from your local pet shop, or popcorn from our website is a sure way to know that you can give your dog some healthy treats that is dog-safe. The peanut butter we use is a dog friendly version of doggy popcorn is made of just peanuts, and not a 'hooman' peanut butter which contains sweeteners and 'other' ingredients that are dangerous to our doggies. We want to make them as healthy as we can for our dogs.

Be mindful of the size and age of your dog. Smaller dogs will need even smaller portions of popcorn, while larger breeds may handle a little more. Additionally, young puppies and senior dogs may have more delicate digestive systems, so it's best to avoid giving them popcorn altogether.

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats (hooman) Popcorn?

In the event that your dog manages to sneak a few pieces of popcorn or, in a moment of distraction you accidentally share some with them, there are a few important steps to follow.

• Monitor your dog Keep a close eye on your dog for the next few hours. Look for any signs of discomfort, distress, or choking. If you notice any unusual behaviour, contact your veterinarian immediately.

• Check the ingredients If you know that your dog has consumed popcorn with added seasonings, butter, or other toppings, check the ingredients list for any harmful substances. Some seasonings, like garlic and onions, are toxic to dogs.

• Hydrate your dog Encourage your dog to drink water to help move any popcorn through their digestive system. This can also help prevent any potential dehydration.

• Watch for allergic reactions Keep an eye out for any signs of allergies or sensitivities. Dogs, like humans, can have various reactions to different foods. If your dog exhibits signs of an allergic reaction, such as itching, hives, or gastrointestinal upset, consult your veterinarian.

• Contact a vet If your dog experiences any adverse effects after consuming popcorn or if you suspect that they may have ingested something harmful, don't hesitate to contact your veterinarian. They can provide guidance and take the necessary steps to ensure your dog's well-being.

Is popcorn poisonous to dogs?

Just to clarify, there's no part of popcorn that's poisonous to dogs, unlike other foods we humans enjoy, like onions and chives. The only main hazard that popcorn poses is choking - kernels that aren't fully popped could easily get stuck in your poor pup's throat, so be sure to remove these before letting your dog have a nibble.

Another hazard with feeding popcorn to dogs is the seasoning. While we humans love to coat our snacks in sugar, salt and other flavourings, these are all bad news for dogs.

So, if you know your pup pines for a piece when you're tucking in, either have their favourite dog biscuits to hand or keep a few fully popped kernels aside for your pooch before adding any seasonings for yourself.   

To Sum Up:

Air-popped popcorn is low in calories and high in fibre, making it a good snack to share. Even if your pet is overweight, homemade popcorn could be a small part of your pet’s diet. The fibre might help your pet feel full longer. Like any other treat you don’t want more than 10% of your pet’s diet to be made up of treats – so moderation is key.

Just like with all treats you give your dog, be sure to carefully monitor your pet as there is a small risk your dog could choke on a kernel or get them stuck in their teeth. Do not ever feed your dog popcorn unsupervised to minimise this risk further. 

If your pet is sensitive to or allergic to corn you may want to avoid feeding your pet popcorn as it can have the same effects as other forms of corn. Many pet foods are formulated to be free from common allergens like corn and wheat. 

Loading up your popcorn with butter, oil, and salt may make it taste extra delicious for you - but you do not want to share this with your pet. The fat and sodium that these kernels have are not good for your pup dog (or you for that matter). The additional calories from the butter or oil can cause weight gain as they are high in calories. Some dogs also don’t digest dairy well so the butter on the popcorn can cause stomach upset.

You also want to avoid sharing the microwave bagged popcorn. The chemical flavouring, oils, and high sodium content they have can also cause stomach upset or diarrhoea.

 

How we make our dog friendly popcorn . . . . 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of Dog Friendly Peanut Butter

1/4 cup of Water

1 Cup of popping corn 

We place our popping corn kernels into our air fryer until they are popped, which usually takes 5 minutes. The Air Fryer should have the tray section lined with foil, and only a thin layer of corn, so you may need to cook them in about 3 or 4 goes and not place ALL the popping corn in on one go!

We then make a mixture using dog friendly peanut butter and some water and after microwaving this mixture for 30 seconds, I then mix the mixture thoroughly. 

This then goes onto a bowl, and I mix in the freshly made popcorn kernels (after removing small kernels and un-popped corn) until all the popcorn is thinly coated. I place the coated popcorn onto a lined flat tray and place it in the oven on a medium temperature for about 10-15 minutes before cooling, and then place into a Tupperware container and stored in a fridge.

We now have freshly made, healthy snacks for our dogs to enjoy, yay!!

 

We hope you found this blog really interesting and if you have any comments, we would love to hear from you. Are you going to give it a go and make some healthy popcorn for your doggy's? Please let us know how you get on or send us a picture.

We have had some fun creating this popcorn for our doggy's and we are so happy talking to our customers at our outdoor events who have then gone on to purchase our doggy popcorn.

We are going to continue having some fun and will be creating some 'other' flavours, so please keep coming back to our website, and we will make an 'update' on this blog item too.

Thank you taking some of your time to read this, we do appreciate it very much.

 

Tim & Claire Downer x

Also Mylo our Yorkie, and Pepa our rescue dog x