Is it okay for my cat to eat popcorn?

Question

She really seems to like it. Will it harm her?

Answer 1

airpopped popcorn is actually fine for cats as a treat...

as long as it doesnt have salt and butter on it - fat (butter) can be extremely bad for them when given to them straight like that - it can even kill them... and salt can give cats other serious health problems.

Answer 2

MMMM.... butter.... MMMMM salty.... cats like popcorn. Problem is though that their teeth are designed for tearing flesh away from bone, not to grind up grains prior to digestion. Notice they will lick and lick popcorn and then basically gnaw at it in the side of their mouths prior to swallowing. It's very easy for a cat to get popcorn lodged in the back of their throat and their systems really aren't designed to handle that kind of bulk. In other words, don't give her anything big enough to choke on. The small amounts of butter and salt aren't too bad, but it's more of a fit the square peg through a round hole situation. Same is true with chips and other human snack foods that I personally would rather avoid giving our four legged companions.

Much dry cat food uses finely ground corn or corn gluten as a filler and it's really interesting thing to watch if you put the corn cob down on the floor and you've cooked, prepped and enjoyed the corn. Some cats will just gnaw away on it like a chew toy.

I'd suggest that you find some kitty treats, whiskas hairball remedy treats are a mega-hit with my 11 guys and girls and great this time of year to help with shedding season. Keep a couple of bags around and give her a few appropriate treats while you enjoy your human snacks.

Bon Apetite!

Answer 3

I don't think it would be a good idea. Popcorn is usually salty, which would not be good for her. The hulls could scratch her throat. Popcorn is soft and puffy, and cats swallow food whole wihout chewing it, so it is possible she could gulp some popcorn down and have it expand in her throat or stomach, choking her or blocking her digestive system.

Chances are, what she really likes about the popcorn is the butter on it. When you eat popcorn you could offer her a little of the warm butter (half a teaspoon or so) to lick off a dish.

Answer 4

I have three cats and never feed them human food. Cats need the vitamins and minerals that can only be found on cat foods. Also, they can develop allergies, skin rashes, lose their hair, etc. if they are fed an improper diet. Just make sure you feed them good quality cat food (Purina, Iams, Eukanuba are not considered good quality, just read the ingredients on their packages, it's mostly corn and rice). Try giving them Solid Gold, Felidae, California Natural, Innova, Wellness, etc. These brands are of much better quality and do not cost more than Purina or the others. You just have to know where to find them. You can locate a nearby store that carries them by searching the homepage for each brand and entering your zip code to find the store closest to you.

Answer 5

is this air popped? in line with probability a kernel or 2 of hulless popcorn does not harm yet i does not enable the cat to have lots. If it fairly is microwave popcorn, then no. it is way too extreme in salt and chemical factors for a cat's small physique and metabolism.

Answer 6

Why do you want your cat to eat popcorn? That doesn't make sense. Just feed it tuna fish and cat food and things cats like.

Answer 7

A couple of mine eat popcorn...they like the salt and butter. I don't think it will harm her in small quantities.

Answer 8

It shouldn't be a problem, my cat loves it too. She also loves Doritos and she seems to be fine. With the cat food scare lately I think I would rather my cat eat people food.

Answer 9

It's like milk, in small quantinies it's okay to let them eat. But also see how it makes the animal feel too. If it makes them sick then don't get it to them again.

Answer 10

Haha, probaly the butter she likes and it is perfectly fine, my cat ate Doritos, original Triscuits and things like that before and didn't get sick, just don't feed him/her too much!