If you are ever in a situation where you catch your dog stealing corn, it is good to wonder, “can dogs eat corn?” before letting them have a bite.
In this article, we will explore the benefits and risky parts of corn that no one tells dog owners. So let’s get started!
Is Corn Good For Dogs?
Corn is one of the human foods that is safe for dogs in moderation. It also offers your dog benefits like:
1. Energy
Corn is rich in carbohydrates. This makes them an excellent source of energy and instant powder. If you have a working dog or a dog with usual high energy levels, corn treats will be perfect for them! You can toss a few corn kernels during training or to promote good behavior.
2. Fiber = good poop
Does your dog struggle with constipation? If yes, corn can be a great addition to their diet. It has dietary fiber, which helps digestion and smooth bowel movement (article).
Corn can benefit your dog’s overall body functioning and also prevent obesity. Due to its high fiber content, dogs feel fuller and do not keep searching for food around the house.
3. Nutrients
Corn is packed with nutrients like vitamins and minerals. To be precise- the high amount of Vitamin B helps with the cognitive function of a dog’s body. It also improves the metabolism and skin health.
For the minerals, corn has the goodness of potassium and folate. These nutrients make corn a healthy antioxidant source that protects your dog from diseases.
4. Low fat
Corn might be their perfect treat if your dog has difficulty losing weight! Unless your dog is allergic, corn treats can be your dog’s next favorite treat as it is low in fat and calories. It gives a fuller feeling without adding much to the weight. Although, you should only feed them corn as an alternative to high-fat treats.
2. Cheap!
Corn is one of the cheapest options for dog treats. They might not be the best, but they are good enough to change your dog’s diet. At an affordable price, you get the goodness of nutrients, that too being low in fat!
Risks of Serving Your Dog Corn
While corn can be a tasty and low calorie treat, it also comes with its own set of risks for dogs:
1. Allergies
If your dog has allergies to certain foods, you should not trust them with corn blindly. Some dogs show allergic reactions like vomiting or abdominal pain after eating corn. So, you should start with small amounts of corn and monitor your dog for any response. You can gradually increase the dosage as per their preference.
2. Bad quality corn
There can be bad quality corn in the market that is unhealthy. Worms and bacteria can erode this corn. You should always check the quality of corn kernels, eroded corn cobs, or smelly corn. These can be signs that corn is filled with bacteria and is not for consumption.
3. Digestive issues
Overfeeding human food or food to dogs can lead to gastrointestinal problems. Corn should never be a substitute for diets that are a source of nutrition. Making corn a part of your dog’s daily diet can cause gas, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal cramps.
Cooked or Raw? Which Corn is Safer For Dogs?
Both raw and cooked corn are safe for dogs to eat. Although, we recommend feeding your dog cooked or boiled corn. Raw corn can be challenging to digest, while cooking is easier to bite and swallow. Also, raw corn can lead to abdominal pain in dogs.
The only exception is to keep it off the cob. Do not let the dog bite into the cob, as the cob is not edible and can cause choking hazards. Lastly, be it raw or cooked, you should feed corn as an occasional treat (in moderation).
Corn Product That Dogs Can and Cannot Eat
With so many corn products in the market, it can be confusing what to take and what not to. As dogs can eat corn, can they eat all types of corn products? Let’s figure it out!
The products mentioned:
- Corn flakes
- Corn flour
- Canned corn
- Popcorn
- Corn cobs
- Corn chips
Can Eat:
1. Corn flakes
Dogs can eat cornflakes in moderation. They do not have any harmful ingredients except for sugar content. It would be best to remember not mixing cornflakes with milk and feeding it to your dog. These two together can upset your dog’s stomach.
2. Corn flour
Unless your dog is allergic to corn, you can use corn flour to make tasty treats. Be aware of corn flour mixed with additional sugar, as it can bring down the nutritional value of corn flour. Another thing to consider is to refrain from feeding your dog corn flour daily. Why? Well, dogs love a taste change, and so should you!
3. Popcorn
You can pop some popcorn for yourself and your pooch for a perfect movie time! You may have the whole bowl, but you should only give a few bites into it. Also, popcorn is safe for dogs unless seasoned with butter or other spices. Please ensure that it should be a daily treat for dogs.
Cannot Eat:
1. Canned corn
Dogs cannot eat all types of corn. Canned corn is most harmful to dogs. They are packed with chemicals, preservatives, and contaminated spices. It is as bad as giving your dog a bottle of vinegar mixed with spices and strong additives. We do not recommend it for human or canine consumption.
2. Corn cobs
Another hazardous part of corn is its cob. You can feed your dog corn on the cob, not the cob. The hard part of corn is made of cellulose, which is not edible for humans or animals. Corn cobs can lead to severe choking hazards and even be fatal if not given immediate veterinary attention.
3. Corn chips
If your dog enjoys salty, savory treats- keep their sniffy noses out of corn chip packets. These treats might be crunchy and yummy but have high levels of sodium and carbohydrates. Not only this, but they can lead to obesity as, at the end of the day– corn chips are junk food. They do not serve any nutritional value to you or your dog.
What Are the Big NO-NOs?
If you missed these points, here are the top BIG NO-NOs you should at all costs. These types and parts of corn can lead to severe consequences that need medical assistance.
You must keep your dog safe from-
- Corn cobs
- Seasoned corn
- Corn stems
Corn cobs and corn stems are packed with insoluble fiber and cellulose. This is not edible or digestible for dogs or humans. They can lead to choking hazards, and your dog may try to vomit or gag a lot.
Along with this, seasoned corn should not be a treat for dogs. Spicy foods or corn can cause a burning sensation in dogs. In such cases, we do not recommend trying home remedies. You should immediately get in touch with your veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
We cannot deny that corn is excellent for dogs. They are packed with so many nutrients and vitamins, and the best part is that they are so much cheaper than other human foods. Also, who wants expensive, unhealthy dog treats when one can enjoy yummy corn?
However, it would be best to feed it in moderation to dogs. The only catch is to avoid munching on canned or seasoned corn kernels. Rest, no one can come between you, your pooch, and a big bowl of corn!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, dogs can digest corn kernels. They are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Also, they are low in fat! The only catch is to feed them only in moderation. As they are fibrous, massive amounts can harm their digestive system, making it hard to digest. Hence, serving only your dog corn kernels as an occasional treat would be best.
Small amounts of corn tortillas will not harm your dog, but it is not an ideal human food for dogs. Most tortillas are processed with toxic chemicals and ingredients. This degrades the nutritional value of corn and is filled with preservatives. A bite or two is acceptable; making a part of a dog’s diet is not recommended.
It depends on the size of your dog. If you have a small-sized dog, you can feed them 8-10 corn kernels. If your dog is medium to large-sized, you can toss at most 15 corn kernels. Keeping corn kernels in their 10% treat diet would be best. Also, adding corn to all of their meals is not recommended as it can lead to digestive problems. Hence, only feed your dog corn in moderation.
Absolutely Not. The stems of corn do not have any nutritional value and are also not digestible. You should never feed your dog corn stems or corn cobs. Both of these can cause choking hazards and cannot be digested by dogs.
