Anyone who has ever lived with me can attest that I am addicted to popcorn. There was a period of my life where I was going through two family-sized bags a week. Now, my dog has inherited my overwhelming love for the snack. (She has also inherited my social anxiety and my passion for fashion — but that’s beside the point).

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Thankfully, popcorn is safe for dogs, as long as it does not have toppings like butter, salt, or oil, as it “can lead to intestinal upset,” as reported by the AKC. Dogs should also only eat popcorn in moderation. AKC suggests that the treat should make up “10 percent or less of a dog’s daily caloric intake.” Check here to see how many calories your pup should be consuming in a day.

In a 2015 video on behalf of the dog food company Just Food For Dogs, veterinarian Dr. Laura Searle-Barnes shared her thoughts about giving dogs popcorn.

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“I personally don’t believe that popcorn is in any way a negative thing for pets to get hold of. It’s potentially a little bit like junk food and it could cause a gastrointestinal upset maybe but are there any toxicities associated with popcorn? No,” asserted the veterinarian.

Dr. Searle-Barnes then revealed that she often gives popcorn to her canine companions as a treat.

“When I crack open some popcorn, my dogs wait for me to give it to them and they’re both okay,” said the vet.

That being said, in general, it is not advised to make it a habit of sharing human food with our furry friends. While speaking to HealthCareForPet.com in 2016, Dr. Clayton Greenway, DVM, explained why he believed pet owners should stick to giving their canine companions dog food.

“When you start feeding them things off your plate, they’re going to develop a bad behavior of coming looking for food. It can become quite a bothersome behavior,” stated the vet.

He also noted that human food is very rich" and may cause dogs to have health issues.

"When you feed them something that is very high in fat or protein and get a blast of it all at once, the pancreas, which digests those ingredients in that treat can become inflamed and that can lead to vomiting and diarrhea and a very sick pet,” asserted Dr. Greenway.

Do you give your dog popcorn? Let us know in the comments below!

Is Popcorn Safe For Dogs?

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