Corn is one of the staples of my diet, especially when summer comes and the price drops a lot. Whether it be grilled corn on the cob or simple boiled corn, it’s a very tasty and easy-to-make snack that will fill my tummy easily. As pet owners, our dogs asking for a piece of food while we are eating is a very common occurrence. So, can dogs eat corn?
The answer is yes, they can. Corn is not just a quick and tasty snack, it also provides a lot of nutrients for our pets. Protein, antioxidants, and carbohydrates are the main nutrients our dogs can get from eating corn.
Read further down below as I dissect this topic more.
Quick Navigation
Benefits of Corn for Dogs
Corn is not poisonous to dogs, it’s even one of the most common ingredients that can be found on a lot of dog foods and dog treats since it’s relatively cheap.
Since corn is a grain product, it is rich in carbohydrates and it provides a significant boost to your dog’s energy. It also improves the gut, which can help in better digestion.
Corn also has a relatively low-calorie count. This is good if you want to decrease your dog’s calorie intake.
Is Corn Healthy For Dogs?
Corn provides a lot of nutrients such as carbohydrates, fiber, and zinc, so it’s safe to say that it’s relatively healthy for your dogs. However, consuming large amounts of corn can cause problems such as digestive issues.
Processed corn should also be avoided since it has a large amount of glycemic acid, and is generally unhealthier than natural fresh corn.
Also, limit the intake of prepackaged corn products such as chips and tortillas since they have a high sodium content.
[Related Article: Can Dogs Eat Broccoli Like Adorable Young Children?]
What Happens If My Dog Ate Corn?
Corn on the cob is a staple in many cultures, so as a pet owner, is it safe to feed your dogs corn on the cob?
Although corn is generally safe for our beloved pets, eating corn straight from the cob can cause a handful of problems such as choking and intestinal blockage.
Although cobs are mostly hard, it’s also easy to break into smaller pieces. Your dog can ingest a small portion of the cob.
If your dog is relatively large, there is a higher chance of the cob passing through the intestine without any issues. However, if your dog is on the smaller side, a slew of health problems can occur.
Examples are vomiting, dehydration, and intestinal blockage.
If you suspect that your dog somehow ate off a cob, you should look for signs of distress.
Can A Dog Poop Out A Corn Cob?
Corn, as stated above, is very nutritious for our dogs, although there are a few ways eating corn that can hurt them. For example, eating corn straight from the cob can cause a choking hazard, especially if the cob is smaller in length.
Because they’re indigestible, absorbent, and abrasive, they can cause a number of serious health problems for four-footers. You’ll want to contact your vet ASAP if your pooch eats a corn cob. It is possible that your dog will pass the cob without difficulty, but she may also need immediate veterinary attention.[Source]
Digesting a large amount of corn in one sitting can also cause digestive problems since unground grains are a lot harder to digest in general. This can cause digestive problems and lead to health issues.
Providing your dog with a small serving of corn kernels off the cob is the safest way to eat corn.
Is Popcorn Bad For Dogs?
Popcorn is safe for dogs to consume and can also provide a good amount of nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, fiber, and zinc. Popcorn also has a very low-calorie content. Whether the snack is healthy or unhealthy depends on the way you prepare it.
To be safe, make sure not to put any additives on your popcorn such as salt and butter. Dogs are sensitive to high sodium and fat content as it can cause them harm.
Plain and tasty popcorn is the best choice. It’s also best to make popcorn at home with natural popcorn kernels and not the artificially flavored ones. Artificial flavors can have a large amount of sodium and oil that can cause digestive issues and long-term health problems on your pet such as kidney failure. Going natural is the best choice.
The hardened kernel can also sometimes get caught between your dog’s teeth so it’s best to remove them before giving the treat to your pet as it can cause dental health problems. Also, removing the unpopped popcorn bits is recommended so that the dogs don’t get hurt as they bite down on the treat.
Can Corn Cause Allergic Reaction to Dogs?
Corn is one of the least allergy-inducing foods for dogs. In fact, ground corn and other forms of it are present in a lot of dog food and dog treats since it’s readily available and very cheap.
Whether corn causes allergies or not is still a hotly debated topic between pet owners and nutritionists. It’s best to look for signs of allergy if you ever give your dogs some corn.
Can Dogs Digest Corn?
Dogs, like humans, cannot fully digest corn, so it’s recommended to give them just a small serving of it and do it every once in a while.
Ground corn, meanwhile, is fully digestible as it’s one of the main ingredients for dog food and dog treats. It’s integrated into a lot of dog and animal products since corn is a very low allergen ingredient.
[Related Article: Can Dogs Eat Cheese?(Everything You Need To Know Today)]
Great Corn Snack Ideas For Your Dogs
One of the great corn snacks I like to make for my dog is corn with ice and a bit of evaporated milk. It’s great for summer and beating the heat. Just note that when giving your dogs evaporated milk, only put around a quarter to half cup since most dogs are lactose intolerant and the high lactose content of evaporated milk can cause digestive problems.
Putting a small amount of condensed milk or cheese powder can also be a great snack for your pups. As with evaporated milk, watch over the amount you are putting.
Feeding these snacks to your dogs should not be a habit but as a once in a while treat.
Corn is very nutritious for dogs. However, there are a few ways of eating corn that can hurt your dog.
