Can dogs have corn? The short answer: yes, but ONLY when the corn is unlinked from the cob. If the corn is on the cob, the answer is no! It will be risking our pup’s health.
There is a great deal of debate about the quality of corn in different dog foods.
Is the corn without the cob safe?
Corn is not necessarily a harmful ingredient, and dogs can have corn when it is not in the cob.
Many of the foods sold in the market for dogs contain corn or derivates in the form of by-products. Corn is used in many forms in the dog food industry.
- Corn Bran, which is an inexpensive source of fibre. It works primarily as a filler ingredient to add bulk to lower quality pet foods.
- Corn Cellulose, the product obtained by use of a chemical process from the outer cell walls of corn. They use it to add bulk and fibre to inexpensive pet foods. It has no nutritional value.
- Corn Germ Meal, which is the germ and other parts of the corn kernel from which they remove the corn oil from. It is an inexpensive by-product rich in protein but often used as a filler.
- Corn Gluten is a cheap by-product of human food processing. It works as a binder and offers very little nutritional value.
- Corn Gluten Meal is the dried residue from corn after the larger part of the germ and starch. The separation of which is made by a process used in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup. It is an inexpensive by-product that works as a binder and a source of protein.
- Corn Syrup is a syrup made from prepared cornstarch. It is used as a sweetener Also they use it as an additive in pet foods to make the product more attractive. [1], [2]
However, the only scientifically-backed complaint that can be leveled at corn is that it’s not as energy-dense as other grains.
This leads to your dog, and also us, to eat more to fill the caloric needs, causing an imbalance in the diet. It will be detrimental to a balanced diet, as they are eating more quantity of the more negative properties of the corn and by-products. [3]
Corn is a little more than a filler ingredient for many kinds of pet foods. It normally doesn’t have a place in high-quality pet foods, as it is used as a filler ingredient, like the most part of the grains. [4]
Although fillers are necessary for a balanced diet as binding agents, derivates from corn are not a good idea. Derivates such as the corn syrup or Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
What is the nutritional value of the corn?
According to the FDA, aside from being used as a filler in some pet foods or fed to your pet complementary, the corn has some nutritional value. [5] [6] [7]
- Corn is a good source of protein
- Corn contains Vitamin B6, which assists in water regulation. That ensures that your pooch maintains a well-toned body. It also works on the brain function and production of red blood cells. [10]
- It is also a great supplier of invaluable dietary carbohydrates. Fibre helps regulate the transit time of the bowel contents and form of the stool. [11]
- It contains potassium, important for maintaining the resting membrane potential of cells. Particularly muscle and nerves
- It has Omega 6, which prevents the skin from drying and getting itchy.
Aside from its energy content and all these properties, which also can be found in the most part of healthier vegetables in greater quantities, corn cannot be considered a rich source of nutrients. [12]
That is so, especially if you are targeting special issues for your dogs, like a skin or coat condition. Consider this list of healthy human foods that your dog can eat.
Is Corn on the cob bad for my dog? Why?
Corn cobs do not fully break down in a dog’s stomach. The size of the cob is often too large to pass through the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. [13]
The most common symptoms of corn cob ingestion are:
- Sickness
- Diarrhoea
- Tiredness
- Difficulty pooping or producing small amounts of poo
- Poor appetite
- Abdominal tenderness or pain
- Corn cobs are highly absorbent and cause extreme dehydration if stuck in the digestive system. Also can scrape up their intestines in the process.
So remember, if you have a barbecue, make sure not to feed corn in the cob to your dog. Also, discard it safely where they can’t get it. Sometimes dogs might get the cobs in the trash. Make sure your dog doesn’t have access to it.
If your dog is a trash can addict and can’t get the nose out of it, you can consider a dog-proof trash can with a locking lid. That would prevent your dog from accessing the cob or any other unhealthy items you have thrown away. Your dog’s safety goes first!
What to do if my dog has eaten a corn cob anyway?
If your dog has the symptoms described above or if you suspect it could of have ingested the cob, take it your vet immediately without hesitation. [14]
Your vet will examine your pup, ask about its behavior, symptoms, and perform an X-Ray to determine the size and location of the cob.
Depending on the size of the cob, your dog might need a surgical procedure to pull the cob out through the rectum or the mouth.
To avoid this is better to prevent your dog from eating the cob in the first place.
What happens next?
Yes, dogs can eat corn, but always with moderation, like any food that doesn’t take part in its regular diet. About its nutritional value, most vegetables have the same or better health properties than corn. Why don’t you check these alternatives?
Despite whether you give corn to your dog or not, do not offer it in the cob, as it could be dangerous. Also, make it free of seasoning, as salt and herbs are not a very good idea.
Also, check ingredients to avoid in dog food.
