Although corn is a common food consumed by humans, it is perfectly safe for dogs to eat as well. In fact, a lot of dog foods contain corn because it is one of the least expensive cereal grains. However, there are some considerations you should make, such as the type and quantity of corn you give your dog.
Let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks of giving your canine companion corn and corn products in more detail.
Pro tip: Make sure to call your veterinarian right away if you think your dog may have ingested something they shouldn’t have, like a corn cob. GI obstruction procedures can cost up to $3,000, so getting pet insurance can help to protect you and your four-legged friend in the event that something like this does occur.
Dogs are not toxic to corn, so giving your dog a little bit won’t hurt them. Studies have shown that corn is easily digested, and rice is typically the first choice for foods made for dogs.
One of the most popular grains in the world, corn may be a good source of the following nutrients, depending on the variety:
In general, corn is safe for puppies and can be included in a diet with a variety of foods. However, it should only be served in moderate quantities. In general, treats shouldn’t account for more than 10% of your dog’s diet, and too much human food may result in your pet’s diet being insufficient for their nutritional needs or cause weight gain.
Despite being extremely rare, some puppies develop corn allergies as a result of an overly responsive immune system to the substance. Symptoms of corn allergy in dogs include:
Make an appointment with your veterinarian if your pet displays any of these symptoms. The veterinarian will need to perform some tests to rule out any illnesses because a number of conditions can exhibit symptoms that are similar to those of a food allergy.
The veterinarian will give you instructions on how to identify the specific food item that is upsetting your pet if they suspect a food allergy. They may also advise an elimination diet, which you must adhere to closely.
You should look into dog foods without corn and corn-derived products if your dog has a corn allergy. Your pet is much more likely to be allergic to the protein source than to other ingredients like corn or rice in their food.
Many puppies enjoy chewing on corn cobs, but they might swallow a large piece, which could pose a choking risk or result in gastrointestinal obstruction or injury. In addition to not completely breaking down in a pup’s stomach, corn cobs are frequently too large to pass through the GI tract. Though large dogs can also be affected, the risk of GI obstruction is highest in small and medium-sized breeds.
Call your veterinarian if you think your dog has eaten a corn cob. The symptoms of a digestive obstruction may resemble those of other medical conditions. Take your dog to the nearest veterinarian’s office right away if they begin to exhibit symptoms of illness.
The cost of surgery is high, and GI obstruction is an emergency situation. The good news is that most pet insurance providers will cover medical expenses and surgical costs. You can get insurance quotes and sign up quickly online.
Avoid attempting to make your pet throw up unless your veterinarian has instructed you to. Erosive vomiting can harm your pet’s stomach and esophagus even more.
Some dogs won’t hesitate to dig through the trash in search of tasty treats, so how can you prevent them from biting on corn cobs? Because of this, you shouldn’t put corn cobs in a trash can that your pet can access. Instead, discard them in the outside trashcan so they can’t get to it.
Because corn kernels are small, your dog can safely eat them without fear of choking. Make sure the kernels are served without any fatty flavor enhancers, such as butter, salt, or mayonnaise. A little fat is okay, but too much fat and salt can cause obesity and stomach problems.
As long as you serve it unsalted and unbuttered, popcorn can be a tasty and entertaining treat for your pet. The carbs in plain popcorn provide additional energy and are high in dietary fiber. Serve plain popcorn instead of flavored or prepackaged varieties, which are high in artificial flavors, oils, and sodium.
When making your own popcorn, take out any kernels that don’t fully pop because your dog may get an upset stomach from them. Additionally, you should be aware that popcorn stuck between your dog’s teeth may result in gum disease or tooth decay.
Sweet corn has a higher sugar content and is harvested when it is still more immature than regular corn. Additionally, this variety of corn is very starchy and challenging to digest. Having said that, as long as it’s consumed in moderation and only occasionally, sweet corn is not harmful.
Because the kernels in canned corn are separated from the cob, they are safe for dogs to eat. Just be careful not to give it to your dog in excess.
You can safely include cornflour in your dog’s meals because it is used as a thickener in some dog foods. Although cornflour doesn’t have much nutritional value, it can be helpful if you want to make your own treats or if your pet only consumes gluten-free food.
What Types Of Corn Can Dogs Eat?
The most popular varieties of corn and other items that contain corn are listed below. If they are safe for dogs to eat, our experts will let you know.
One or two unseasoned chips probably won’t hurt your pup. But corn chips are full of oils and fats. Never give your dog a seasoned corn chip, especially one that contains garlic.
Although it is safe to feed canned corn to dogs, doing so often results in salt and sodium poisoning and dehydration. Before giving canned corn to your dog, make sure to thoroughly wash it.
Yes, corn flakes are okay for dogs to eat. But don’t give a dog corn flakes regularly as snacks.
Sweet corn is safe for dogs to eat and has the same advantages as regular corn as long as it is cooked and removed from the cob.
Baby corn is safe for dogs to eat, but if you have a smaller dog, be sure to cut it up into small pieces to prevent choking.
Can dogs have corn starch? Yep! No need to worry.
No, dogs should not eat kettle corn. Their stomachs may upset, their throats may scratch, and their abdomens may hurt from the hard, sweet popcorn kernels. In addition, added sugar is not good for pets. Find out more about whether or not dogs can consume popcorn.
Dogs should avoid processed foods like corn nuts and chips. They are typically deep-fried and seasoned. For this reason, pups should stay away from corn nuts.
The popular hotdog and bread combo won’t hurt dogs. However, both are high in salt and fat, which are not good for puppies and can cause more severe issues if you frequently give your dog corn dogs.
Read the label first (if you can). Your dog might be allergic to the additional ingredients that are frequently found in corn tortillas, such as flour. Otherwise, one or two bites are okay. Don’t overdo it.
Dried corn kernels are essentially ground into flour or meal to make cornmeal or cornflour. Typically, they serve as a starch in baked goods. Therefore, provided the other ingredients it is mixed with are also suitable for your dog, cornmeal can be given to dogs in moderation.
On rare occasions, it’s okay to eat corn muffins made from cornmeal. Cornbread and corn muffins can be filling and full of empty calories, just like any bread.
Giving frozen corn to dogs shouldn’t be a problem because it is small and bite-sized. If you feed your dog frozen corn, keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t choke or have any chewing issues. Be careful because anything frozen can be tough on a dog’s teeth.
Why Is Corn Bad For Dogs?
Dogs can consume corn, but it’s best to limit their intake. Corn has the highest starch content among all whole vegetables. Additionally, like any carbohydrate, too much of it may lead to obesity.
My Dog Ate Corn On The Cob: What Should I Do?
Therefore, the answer is no, dogs cannot consume corn on the cob, and you should act immediately. A potentially fatal medical condition can result from eating corn on the cob. Dogs should not consume the plant’s cob because it may seriously harm their digestive systems.
Lethargy, a lack of appetite, pain, and irregular bowel movements are some symptoms of intestinal distress. If you notice vomiting, drowsiness, or appetite loss, you must get assistance right away. Call your vet or an after-hours vet facility immediately.
Although your dog may not initially appear to be experiencing any issues, the sooner you consult a doctor, the better. Prepare to bring your dog inside as soon as possible. Basically, this circumstance is handled as if a foreign object has been consumed. Your vet may want to induce vomiting. Endoscopic surgery might be necessary if the condition is more serious and the cob is still present in the stomach.
FAQ
Can I feed my dog corn everyday?
Corn isn’t harmful to dogs and isn’t a filler in dog food, so no, it’s not a bad idea to avoid it in dog food. In fact, it has nutritional benefits.
How much corn is safe for dogs?
The majority of the time, a small amount of corn is acceptable to include in your dog’s diet. However, as with all human foods added to a dog’s diet, you should feed corn in moderation and limit such a treat to no more than 10% of your dog’s diet.
Can corn upset a dog’s stomach?
Dogs can consume corn without harm, but additional toppings are not safe. Pepper and other spices can upset your dog’s stomach, and butter is fatty and bad for your dog.
What happens if a dog eats corn?
Although dogs can eat corn, corncobs with or without corn on them shouldn’t be given to them. Corncobs can be chewed up and consumed by dogs, but they cannot be digested, which could be fatal. Corncobs can suffocate dogs or get lodged in their digestive tracts, necessitating surgery.