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Can Cats Eat Popcorn?

Can Cats Eat Popcorn?

Updated on July 18, 2024
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Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Popcorn can be a terrific snack option when you’re watching a movie in a theater or binging your favorite show at home. It’s crunchy, delicious and sometimes buttery, and it isn’t overly filling. However, when pet parents are relaxing on the couch, there’s probably an animal nearby waiting for one of those tasty bits to fall on the floor. Worried about whether it will make their cat sick, many pet parents wonder, “Can cats have popcorn?” The answer is that while a piece or so of plain popcorn should not make your pet sick, it’s not an appropriate treat for cats. Remember, consult your vet first before feeding your pets any new food.

Cats and popcorn are typically not a huge concern, so you generally don’t need to worry if your pet gobbles up a few dropped kernels, but pay attention to how it is prepared. Regular plain popcorn isn’t toxic to felines. If it’s covered in salt, oil, butter, garlic, chocolate, caramel or any other seasoning, however, it may lead to serious health issues.

Most popcorn, whether it’s prepackaged or made at home, is prepared with high-fat butter and oil that can cause obesity if fed in large portions or too frequently and even cause digestive upsets in small quantities. Salt can cause kidney issues or lead to salt toxicity if eaten in large amounts, and garlic and chocolate are just plain toxic to felines. Artificial cheese flavoring typically comes with the health risks of salt and butter combined and is likely to cause diarrhea or vomiting. The sticky sugar in caramel popcorn is not only a choking risk but may cause issues like diarrhea and dental tartar. Plus, feeding your cat an excessive number of treats in general can lead to obesity, and obese animals are more prone to developing diabetes over time.

Health Benefits of Popcorn for Cats

Some feline pet parents may wonder, “Is popcorn bad for cats?” The answer is complicated. Plain popcorn is generally not harmful to cats, but it’s not a healthy treat. Flavored popcorn and versions with added toppings can be unhealthy or even toxic to cats. If you find your cat eating plain popcorn, there’s typically no reason to worry. However, they won’t be gaining any health benefits.

Be especially vigilant with unpopped kernels and small popped kernels. They could cause choking or an obstruction and lead to even more severe problems. Large bits of popcorn can be tricky for your pet to digest, and partially popped kernels could damage their teeth.

Is popcorn OK for cats? While plain popcorn accidentally picked up by your cat should not be a major concern, it is not an appropriate treat or snack. Cats are natural carnivores, which means they get their vitamins and protein through high-quality animal

protein. Foods like fruits, vegetables and starches like bread, potatoes and corn are carbohydrates that cats’ carnivorous digestive tracts have not evolved to digest.

FAQs about feeding your cat popcorn

While plain popcorn accidentally picked up by your cat should not be a major concern, it is not an appropriate treat or snack.

Cats and popcorn are typically a harmless combination. If your cat occasionally gets to a piece that’s fallen on the ground, they won’t get any nutritional value from it, but they’ll probably feel fine afterward. Popcorn is not an appropriate snack or treat for your cat.

If you accidentally leave a tub of this tasty treat out on the counter and return to find your cat eating popcorn in large amounts, be on the lookout for adverse side effects. Also contact your vet to review questions or concerns related to any potentially harmful or toxic seasonings or flavors.

When it comes to snacks for cats, stick with store-bought treats rather than human food like popcorn. While treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your cat’s total caloric intake per day, commercially produced treats usually contain scientifically formulated ingredients that offer better nutritional value for your cat than people snacks.

That being said, most felines who don’t have allergies will enjoy a snack of fish or poultry. As long as they are cooked plainly without oils or seasonings, you can give your cat the occasional shrimp, a piece of chicken breast or a slice of sashimi and listen to them purr with thanks.

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