Can Cats Eat Popcorn? 🍿 Is Popcorn Safe For Cats To Eat?

If you’re asking yourself this question, it could be that your furry friend curled up with you during movie time and helped himself to some of your popcorn. At this point, like any responsible cat parent, you asked yourself – can cats eat popcorn? The short answer is that it depends entirely on how the popcorn was made; even then, moderation is key. As for the detailed answer, well, take a look below:

Can cats eat popcorn – yes or no?

Yes, cats can eat popcorn, but no, your cat shouldn’t eat popcorn. And suppose your cat has digestive issues, especially ones involving a gluten intolerance. In that case, the answer is simple – it’s a hard no. I posted on our Facebook page, and one reader (a retired breeder) mentioned, “Never at our house. I had the horrible experience of seeing a cat suffocate from getting one stuck in its windpipe.” So is popcorn bad for cats?

There are healthier options you have available for snacks.

I asked Leanna if she could give me a full testimonial and here’s what she wrote:

“This happened years ago but I will never forget it.  We were at a neighbor’s house and they had a sweet, large cat.  I couldn’t tell you the breed.  We were playing cards and eating popcorn and the cat would eat pieces up off the floor.  All the sudden we noticed the cat was weaving and then collapsed gasping for breath.  Normally we would have rushed it to a vet but it was late at night and they lived 10 miles or so outside of Hays, KS.  We wouldn’t have made it in time.  We even tried Heimlich maneuvers to no avail.  I vowed then no pet of mine would ever get popcorn.”

Leanna Steward of House of Steward Ragdolls, Retired

I asked Sarah Brandon, DVM, “Can Cats Eat Popcorn?”  She replied:

“Yes, if it meets the following criteria:

• Fully popped & fluffy.  No hard kernels; better yet, break off the fluffy pieces and offer just that.
• Organic product (all ingredients)
• Non-corn ingredients limited to low/no: butter, salt, sunflower/safflower oil
• Contains no sugar, garlic, onions, food coloring, other additives & seasonings.  (Note: if a cat snuck 1-2 pieces of such a product, I would not worry; just don’t offer it as a treat.)
• Treats are limited to 2-3 pieces.

If your cat likes the texture of popcorn, consider having a small bowl of freeze-dried meat which she can have while you’re nibbling on popcorn. If your cat likes anything you’re eating, offer a few pieces of popcorn from your bowl … and have another bowl nearby or hidden inside with other special treats.   If your cat likes salty things, offer sustainably caught sardines (canned) or a bit of dried organic kelp (2-3 in square is plenty).  In addition, if your cat likes popcorn for unknown reasons, the fluffy pieces can serve as meal toppers for those with low appetites.

Most cats are attracted to the popcorn flavorings – like white cheddar, butter, salt, etc.  They really are not interested in the popcorn itself.  For example, my Ragdoll cat Trigg loves white cheddar popcorn. So, I hold it and let him lick off the coating. But I do not let him eat the actual piece of popcorn.”

Why Is Popcorn So Irresistible to Cats?

Popcorn, because of its coatings can be a tempting snack, but it is also something your cat can play around with. When seeing it from afar, most cats are first attracted to the shape of popcorn before anything else. As a kitty plays with popcorn, its hunting instincts come in, and it starts biting at it, and it usually has a pleasant surprise. Of course, if the popcorn is warm, the smell might top the play opportunity, and your cat may just be checking out what smells so delicious.

Popcorn cat

What Is Bad Popcorn, and Why Should My Cat Stay Away From It?

Imagine a fresh batch of microwave popcorn with extra butter and salt. You open the bag, and the smell is absolutely amazing. It makes your mouth water, and you can’t wait to get your hands on it. And while it is a culinary delight for you, it is simply toxic for your cat. Why? Because it is loaded with processed fats and salt, which can cause your kitty many problems, such as indigestion and diarrhea. Here are the main characteristics of bad popcorn:

• Anything that’s fried – including microwave popcorn
• Anything that has butter – including low-fat
• Anything that has other flavors – including cheese
• Anything that’s hot

These types of popcorn have a very high quantity of processed fats and artificial flavors, which can be extremely dangerous even for healthy cats. If your cat already has digestive, liver, or kidney problems, then that delicious popcorn is absolute poison. So technically, I should not allow my cat, Trigg, to lick white cheddar-coated popcorn.

Among the many consequences of your cat eating bad popcorn are – indigestion, acute and chronic diarrhea, bile problems, kidney blockage, skin rashes, allergies, and even fatty liver. So, the next time you have that fresh popcorn with extra butter, do your cat a favor and present her with a healthy snack instead of the popcorn.

Of course, I have not experienced indigestion, acute and chronic diarrhea, bile problems, etc., with Trigg. Otherwise, I would stop. However, I eat bagged (already popped) white organic cheddar popcorn, so it’s a bit different.

What Is Popcorn Control?

Before you can feed your cat any popcorn, you must do a complete check-up on every flake. That’s right, you must do complete popcorn control for every flake. Here’s what you have to do:

• Check that it is properly cooked – uncooked popcorn is more challenging to digest, so you should sort out the flakes that are not cooked through. Chewing through is also quite difficult, and insisting can lead to dental issues.
• Check that it is not overcooked or burnt – overcooked popcorn, especially burnt popcorn, can cause indigestion. So, make sure you sort out the flakes that are any shade of brown or black.
• Check that it doesn’t have a thin membrane -before you feed your cat any popcorn, check for those thin membranes and remove them. Removing them from your cat’s mouth or throat will be more complicated than you think, so you may want to save yourself the trouble.

I would never pour a bowl of popcorn and offer it to Trigg. Instead, I offer him one piece that I have carefully inspected. Again, he usually licks it – does not EAT the popcorn. While checking every popcorn flake is a lot of work, it is crucial because it can save you a lot of trouble. Both undercooked and overcooked popcorn could lead to indigestion and other digestive issues.

As for the thin membranes on the popcorn, imagine how annoying it is to get them stuck in your teeth or, even worse, in your throat. Now imagine not being able to use your fingers to get them out. This is why popcorn control is an absolute must.

How Much Popcorn Can I Feed My Cat?

The ideal quantity of popcorn for your kitty is 3-5 pieces. If that. Honestly, it’s so subjective; it depends. I let Trigg lick 3-5 pieces, and that’s it. Any more than that, and you risk your cat getting indigestion. Popcorn may be delicious and low in calories when cooked correctly. However, it is still a snack that should be consumed with caution, especially by your cat.

There is also a matter of frequency. Feeding popcorn to your cat should not become a habit. Even if it is good popcorn that has passed popcorn control with flying colors, having too much of it is not healthy for your cat. Its diet should have minimal amounts of gluten and starch, which popcorn is rich in.

As you can see, popcorn is a very tricky snack for your cat, even after passing all the quality control measures we’ve listed above. So, the next time your cat wants to get in on your TV time, you should, perhaps, keep the popcorn to yourself, just to be on the safe side. You can even set up a snack pack for your cat to nibble on while sitting with you in front of the TV, one that is healthy and better suited for your furry critter.

Do you have any popcorn stories with your cat? Does it love to play with it, or is it more interested in eating it? Please tell us about your cat-meets-popcorn adventures in the comments section below. We’d love to hear about your experiences.