Can cats eat popcorn? Yes, but it’s not recommended as it can be a choking hazard. If you want your cat to try popcorn, only give it plain popcorn. Cats are not meant to eat popcorn, so don’t make it part of their usual diet.
There is nothing like walking into a movie theater and smelling the fresh buttered popcorn in the air. It is one of the many scents that so many people love. Popcorn is a delicious snack for both humans and some animals. Like humans enjoy the scent, cats do, too, as it makes them more intrigued by this tasty treat.
Nutritious Popcorn
Popcorn is made of cereal grain and comes from wild grass. It contains endosperm, pericarp, and germ. As far as health benefits go, popcorn contains Potassium, Vitamin B6, Fiber, Iron, and magnesium. It also improves digestion, is excellent for weight loss, and reduces the risks of cancer and heart disease.
Popcorn also contains lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene. These are known for improving vision. This is a healthy snack for everyone, but it should be given with caution when sharing it with your cat.
Is Popcorn Good For Cats?
Cats enjoy lots of different tasty treats, but there is only one approach that is safe for them when it comes to popcorn. It’s okay to give a cat freshly air-popped popcorn, as long as you are doing so in moderation. It does not present much of a risk for your cat, but it is okay to eat and play with when cooked this way.
Cats are usually intrigued by the warmth and scent of the popcorn, making them more likely to want a bite. Popcorn should only be given to cats occasionally. This should not become part of their everyday diet.
Can Cats Eat Popcorn? It’s Not Recommended
Popcorn can be bad for cats as it makes a choking hazard. The choking hazard, in large part, comes down to the kernels. Do not let them have kernels for a snack as this can be very harmful for them. Popcorn itself can be hard to chew, this makes the air-popped popcorn more of a go-to for cats as they are less likely to choke on this.
The easy-made microwavable popcorn is one of those that make it harmful. What makes it harmful are the additives on the popcorn. Whether it’s candied popcorn, caramel popcorn, garlic, chili or contains any of the heavily powdered variety of cheese/butter toppings makes popcorn harmful.
Do you Know?
There are many other foods that cats like to snack on. We have done our research. Check out: Can Cats Eat Carrots?
These added ingredients make those types of popcorn toxic and keep your cat from getting the nutrients they need.
Even though popcorn is an okay go-to snack for cats there are many other snacks that cats are able to munch on for satisfaction of hunger. Some alternatives for yummy snacks for your cat can be; fish, beef, poultry, cheese, bananas, berries, melon, carrots, white rice, oatmeal, cooked eggs and spinach.
Cats usually obtain all their needed nutrients from the cat food that is purchased at a store but snacks are always okay.
Given the alternatives, if you are going to share your tasty popcorn snack with your cat be sure it is air-popped and not the kind you just pulled from the microwave that may be covered in an extra topping. Cats will enjoy this treat and both you and your feline friend will be happy. If you’re still wondering, “Can cats eat popcorn?” the answer is yes with caution. Know the facts before sharing any human type of snack with your feline friend.
