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Can your dogs have popcorn? The answer is YES and NO.
Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities. Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings is not safe for your dog on a regular basis, although eating a few dropped pieces here and there probably won’t hurt him.
If you’re going to share popcorn, stick with air-popped. Air-popped popcorn is fine for you dog if you want to give them a light snack. However, adding seasonings, butter, sugar, or other unhealthy toppings can be very bad for you dog and should be avoided.
Possible side effects and hazards of dogs having popcorn
If you do feed your dog popcorn with unhealthy toppings or additives, it could have some side effects for your poor pooch. Some of the things that could be caused by excessive salt and butter or unhealthy cooking preservatives include:
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Digestive issues that can lead to diarrhea
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Dehydration from too much salt
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Possible kidney damage too much salt is eaten regularly
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Obesity in the long-term from eating high-fat popcorn
Popcorn pieces could potentially cause physical harm to your dog too. The kernels can hurt their teeth and gums (who hasn’t had popcorn stuck in their teeth?), and they could present a choking hazard for your dog.
