Food safety
Can Cats Eat Popcorn? Plain Is OK, but Skip the Butter
Yes, but only plain: a piece or two of unsalted, air-popped popcorn is not toxic to cats, though it gives them nothing they need. Movie-night popcorn is the problem. Butter, oil, salt, cheese, caramel and chocolate coatings are all poor or risky for cats, and unpopped kernels and hulls can choke a cat or catch in its throat. If your cat steals a fluffy plain piece, there is nothing to worry about; just do not make it a habit.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why plain popcorn is safe but pointless for cats
Popcorn is popped corn, a starchy grain. It is not toxic to cats, and Tufts University's Petfoodology team even lists half a cup of air-popped, unsalted popcorn as a roughly 15-calorie treat option for pets. For an average cat, though, that is far more than they should eat, and it is mostly carbohydrate.
Cornell Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores whose natural diet is high in protein, moderate in fat and low in carbohydrate. Popcorn turns that upside down. Many cats are interested in the crunch or the rustle of the bowl rather than the taste.
Butter, salt and toppings
Butter and oil add fat that cats do not need and can upset the stomach. The ASPCA warns that too much salt causes excessive thirst and urination and, in severe cases, vomiting, tremors and seizures; a cat is small enough that salty snacks add up fast.
Microwave popcorn, kettle corn, caramel corn, cheese powders and chocolate drizzle are all off the list. Garlic and onion seasonings are especially dangerous, since the ASPCA notes cats are more susceptible to onion and garlic than dogs. If your cat ate seasoned popcorn, check the bag and call your vet.
Kernels, hulls and choking
Unpopped and half-popped kernels are hard, small and slippery, the right size to lodge in a cat's throat or crack a tooth. The thin hulls that coat popped corn can stick to the back of the throat or between teeth and cause coughing, gagging or gum irritation.
Cats tend to swallow without much chewing, which makes this more of a risk than it sounds. If you share, pick a fully popped, fluffy piece with no hard center, break it into small bits and supervise.
How much popcorn a cat can have
Cornell advises keeping treats to no more than 10 to 15 percent of a cat's daily calories, and Tufts notes a 10 lb cat needs only about 300 calories a day. For an average 8 to 12 lb adult cat, one or two small pieces of plain popcorn, now and then, is plenty.
Do not offer popcorn regularly, and never as a replacement for cat treats. Overweight cats and cats with diabetes should skip it, because it is a starchy, empty-calorie food that works against their diet.
A feeding mat under a ceramic bowl keeps any shared food in one place and easy to clean up.
Kittens and popcorn
Kittens should not have popcorn. Their mouths and throats are smaller, making kernels and hulls a real choking risk, and they need every calorie to come from food that supports growth. A kitten batting a piece of popcorn across the floor is fine as long as it does not eat it.
Keep bowls out of reach during movie nights, and sweep up stray kernels from couches and rugs where a kitten might find them later. A popcorn bag can also be a suffocation or chewing hazard, so put it straight into the trash.
Signs it disagreed with them, and when to call a vet
Mild stomach upset, a soft stool or a single vomit within a few hours can follow a buttery or greasy snack and should settle within a day. Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts over 24 hours or if your cat stops eating, because cats should not go long without food.
Coughing, gagging, pawing at the mouth, drooling or repeated swallowing after eating popcorn can mean a hull or kernel is stuck. Get your cat seen the same day if it does not clear quickly. Trouble breathing is an emergency.
Better treats for cats
Cats get far more from animal-based treats. A small flake of plain cooked chicken or turkey breast, a freeze-dried meat treat, or a few pieces of their usual dry food in a puzzle toy all suit a carnivore better than any snack food. If your cat likes crunch, choose a crunchy cat treat.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Is buttered popcorn bad for cats?
It is not a good choice. Butter and oil add fat that can upset a cat's stomach, and buttered popcorn is usually salted too. A lick of a buttered piece is unlikely to cause harm, but do not share it.
Can cats eat popcorn kernels?
No. Unpopped and half-popped kernels are a choking hazard and can damage teeth. Hulls can also stick in a cat's throat. Only a fully popped, plain piece is safe to offer.
Can cats eat microwave popcorn?
It is best not to. Microwave popcorn is usually coated in oil, salt and flavorings, and some products include butter flavoring or other seasonings that offer nothing good for a cat.
Why does my cat want popcorn?
Cats lack a working sweet taste receptor, so they are usually drawn by the smell of butter, the crunch, the movement of the pieces or your attention. Interest does not mean they need it.
Can cats eat caramel or kettle corn?
No. Caramel corn and kettle corn add sugar and sometimes chocolate or nuts, and there is no benefit for a cat. If your cat ate a coated variety, check the ingredients and call your vet.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
