Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?

It’s a wet, cold autumn evening and the wind is blowing around the house. What could be nicer than a cozy movie night with a bowl of popcorn?

But as soon as you get your popcorn, your dog sits in front of you, his tail wagging. Hoping to get something.

The popped corn is a popular snack for people. But can dogs eat popcorn?

Is popcorn healthy for dogs?

Popcorn is not poisonous to dogs. As long as you pay attention to a few details, feel free to give your dog a small amount of popcorn.

Popcorn is made from corn. Most dogs tolerate this type of grain well. That is why feed manufacturers use corn or cornmeal as a vegetable in many types of feed.

The husk of the corn kernels has a high fiber content. Likewise, corn provides your dog with potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Corn is also cholesterol and fat-free.

To make popcorn from corn, you often need additional ingredients such as oil, sugar, or salt. These additives are unhealthy for your dog. Sugar is also bad for your dog’s teeth and promotes tooth decay.

Gentle preparation methods with hot air without additives are better for your dog.

Popcorn consists mainly of carbohydrates and protein. 100g of popcorn provides about 375 calories for your dog.

If your furry friend is already struggling with being overweight, you should pay attention to the number of additional carbohydrates. Because obesity can lead to diabetes and high blood pressure in dogs, just like in humans.

Is popcorn bad for dogs?

As a rule, popcorn is not harmful to your dog. However, there are exceptions. If your dog suffers from an allergy to corn, you should avoid popcorn.

Also, popcorn contains unpopped corn kernels. These collect at the bottom of the popcorn bowl.

Your dog can choke on unpopped corn kernels. They can get stuck in your throat or windpipe. This is especially dangerous for smaller dogs.

The hard shells of the corn kernels also tend to get caught in the teeth. 

Commercially available popcorn and microwave popcorn are unsuitable for dogs

Classic popcorn is therefore not suitable for your dog.

You should also completely avoid popcorn from the microwave. Because it has not been finally clarified what effects the coating of the packaging has on your dog.

DIY: Make your dog popcorn

But that doesn’t mean your dog has to give up popcorn. You can either buy special dog popcorn. Or you can simply make the popcorn for your dog yourself.

Because you can quickly and easily make delicious nibbles for your darling. This is not only healthier than conventional popcorn but also much cheaper. And your dog will love it.

You only need so-called popcorn for the production. This is available in any well-stocked grocery store. It is best to use organically grown products for your dog.

To make popcorn, you need 50 g raw popcorn kernels, 3 tablespoons sunflower oil, and 20 g liverwurst.

Only use heat-resistant oil for heating. Cold-pressed oils like olive oil or safflower oil have a lower smoke point than refined oils. These are therefore less suitable for popcorn production.

Easy popcorn recipe

You can make popcorn for your dog in any pot that has a lid.

It is best to choose a pot that seems much too big to you. You have to keep in mind that the popped corn kernels take up much more space than the raw corn kernels.

1. Cover the bottom of your pot with the corn and add the oil. Then close the pot with the lid and heat it.
2. First set the stove to the highest level. As soon as the first corn kernels pop, reduce the heat a little. This keeps the corn from burning on the ground. After a few seconds, all of the corn kernels should have popped up.
3. Be sure to leave the lid closed to prevent the popcorn from jumping out of the pot. As soon as significantly less popcorn pops, remove the pot from the stove.

Dog popcorn with liverwurst flavor

If you want to conjure up a special treat for your dog, make him liverwurst-flavored popcorn. To do this, melt the liverwurst in a second pot.

1. Now pour some popcorn into a large bowl and add the melted liverwurst. Then mix the popcorn with the liquid liverwurst.
2. Now place parchment paper on a baking sheet. Then spread the liver sausage popcorn on the baking sheet. It cools down faster that way.

And you’ve made liverwurst-flavored popcorn for your dog yourself. You will see, your dog will go crazy for it.

If you want to reduce the calorie count even further, you can omit the oil. With a little feeling, you will find the right time to heat popcorn in the pot without oil.

If you want to make popcorn frequently, a small popcorn maker is ideal. This only works with hot air.

Why do dog paws smell like popcorn?

Do you know that too? Sometimes you feel like your dog’s paws smell like popcorn.

The paws of some four-legged friends smell like popcorn. And not just after eating it. Because a mixture of bacteria, sweat, and yeast makes your dog’s paws smell like popcorn.

Even the cleanest and best cared-for four-legged friends have billions of bacteria and fungi on their skin. The paws in particular are a breeding ground for bacteria. Because with them your dog runs through grass and dirt. In addition, your dog licks its paws regularly.

Every dog ​​paw comes into contact with billions of bacteria every day. Exactly these bacteria cause the special smell of popcorn.

In conjunction with the sweat of the paws, the dog paws can smell like popcorn or tortilla chips. This smell is more pronounced in some dogs than others.

This phenomenon is also called “ Frito feet ”. It was named after the US chip brand Fritos.

So your dog isn’t the only dog ​​who smells like popcorn. And it’s normal. No need to worry about popcorn paws.

If the smell becomes unpleasant and too pungent, try a water bath for your four-legged friend’s paws.

If the musty smell doesn’t go away after that, you should see your vet. Because it could be a yeast infection on the paws.

What happens when dogs eat popcorn?

A species-appropriate diet is a basic requirement if your dog is to remain healthy and fit. A treat like popcorn should be part of a balanced menu. However, not too often.

In small amounts, popcorn is hardly harmful to your dog. Just try whether your dog likes popcorn at all. In any case, nothing stands in the way of a movie night with your four-legged friend.

Dog popcorn

If you want to give your furry friend popcorn as a treat, then you should points mentioned above. The popcorn should have been made without additives such as oil and fat and only with the help of hot air.

To be sure, you can make your popcorn. Avoid butter, salt, and sugar.

Fats and oils are important sources of energy for your dog. However, too much of it can be harmful and lead to obesity.

Can dogs eat popcorn?

In any case, a large part of the daily fat and salt requirement is covered by the meat content in your dog’s daily food ration. Only in the rarest of exceptional cases is it necessary to add fat or salt.

Sweet popcorn with sugar is also harmful. The unnecessary calories are stored as fat deposits in the dog’s body. Sugar also damages teeth and causes tooth decay.

You will give your dog the most pleasure in the long run if popcorn remains a special treat and they switch to another reward. Nevertheless, you can occasionally give in to the begging looks of your four-legged friend when watching TV.

Frequently Asked Question

What happens when a dog eats popcorn?

Popcorn is not harmful to your dog, but you should not feed it to your dog. Because popcorn contains a lot of salt or sugar and also a lot of fat. All of this is unhealthy for your dog. Some people use unsalted popcorn as a treat with no added flavor.

How much popcorn can a dog eat?

Quantity: While popcorn without fat and toppings is not dangerous for dogs, you should not give too much to protect the animal’s stomach. You may offer a maximum of 10% of the dog’s daily calorie requirement. Cores: Be sure to pay attention to the hard cores inside.

Can a dog eat corn?

Dogs should have the small yellow grains on their menu regularly. They contain a large amount of potassium and magnesium, among other things. Important vitamins such as vitamins A, B, and E are also supplied to the dog. In addition, corn is full of fiber, which supports your dog’s digestion.

Can my dog eat corncakes?

Never give your dog corncakes or other industrial products made from corn. There are always too many spices here that he cannot tolerate!

Can a dog eat rusks?

If your dog has diarrhea or stomach ache, feel free to give him some rusks. Rusk is also easily digestible for dogs and ensures that the stomach calms down. In the long run, your dog should not be given any rusks. If he has diarrhea, or sometimes as a treat, dogs tolerate rusks well.

Can a dog eat french fries?

No, dogs are not allowed to eat french fries. Since fries contain a lot of fat and salt, they are very unhealthy for dogs. If dogs eat fries, this can lead to obesity, diabetes, digestive disorders, or pancreatitis in the long term.

Is oatmeal good for dogs?

Oatmeal is perfect for dogs as a little change, a perfect healthy snack in between meals or to help with digestive problems. Not only are they super tasty for your dog but, they also contain a lot of fiber.

Can a dog eat kebab meat?

Grilled dishes with onions and garlic, for example doner kebabs, are harmful to dogs. Bulbous plants contain a substance that destroys the animal’s red blood cells.