Can Cats Eat Popcorn? What About Buttered Popcorn?

Can you cat snack on plain popcorn? This kitten needs to know. marina_eno1 / Shutterstock

If you're curled up on the couch watching your favorite show and your cat starts eyeing your bowl of popcorn, you might wonder: Can cats eat popcorn?

The answer is yes, but only in very small amounts—and only under the right conditions.

Popcorn isn’t toxic to cats, but it’s also not particularly beneficial to your feline friend’s diet.

Is Popcorn Safe for Cats?

Plain, air popped popcorn is nontoxic to cats and safe as an occasional treat.

Cats can eat popcorn if it’s free from butter, extra salt, caramel, or artificial flavors. These additives are common in most grocery store varieties and can lead to digestive upset or long-term health issues like obesity.

Popcorn also presents a choking hazard, especially unpopped kernels or partially popped pieces. Always supervise your cat and offer only small amounts.

Popcorn Guidelines for Cats

Safe: Plain, air popped popcorn in very small amounts
Unsafe: Buttered popcorn, caramel popcorn, or popcorn with extra salt or flavoring
Watch for: Choking, digestive distress, or other indications of food intolerance

If your cat really wants to taste what you’re eating, feeding popcorn in moderation may be okay. But if you’re looking for healthy snacks for your kitty, opt for treats that actually support feline nutrition.

Nutritional Value (or Lack Thereof)

This cat is shocked to learn that its bowl of popcorn contains no nutritional benefits. Ekaterina Kuzovkova / Shutterstock

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they rely on meat, not carbohydrates like corn, for nutrition. Popcorn offers almost no health benefits for cats and counts more as empty calories than a valuable part of your cat’s diet.

Popcorn shouldn’t replace balanced cat food or specially formulated cat snacks. While it may seem like a fun movie night indulgence, it's not a healthy snack for felines.

Health Risks and Red Flags

Feeding popcorn with butter, salt, or artificial butter can trigger digestive issues, vomiting, or even more serious health problems in cats. High fat and sodium content is especially concerning for cats with underlying conditions.

Cat owners should also avoid flavored popcorns—caramel, cheese, or spicy varieties—which may contain ingredients that are toxic to cats or hard to digest.

Pet owners are safest giving the treats that are made to be part of their cat's regular diet.
Julija Sulkovska / Shutterstock

When in doubt, skip the human foods and stick to food made for cats. If your pet develops digestive upset after eating popcorn, consult a veterinarian.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.