Last Updated: 1 year ago
It is not uncommon to find corn listed on dog food labels as one of the ingredients.
This can make you wonder whether you can share that corn on the cob with Fido as the aroma wafting through the air makes him drool.
Corn is a summertime staple for many of us. And it is completely alright to share a small amount with your dog. However, there are many reasons why corn should not be a regular part of your pet’s diet.
If you, like most other pet parents are left wondering whether dogs can eat corn, then here’s the low down on it.
Is Corn Safe For Dogs?
As long as your dog is not allergic to corn, it is completely safe. In fact, depending on the variety of the corn, it may be an excellent source of vitamins, carbohydrates, protein, minerals and antioxidants. However, the key lies in moderation.
An occasional treat won’t hurt your dog.
But there are some precautions that you must take. For starters, you cannot make corn the main part of their diet. Corn does not have the nutritive value that is needed for a dog’s diet. Also, you have to be extremely careful with the cob.
There are many stories of an overzealous dog gnawing and gulping down the cob. Not only can it be extremely difficult to digest, it can also cause intestinal blockage.
Some of the symptoms that can indicate a potential problem caused due to ingesting the cob are incessant vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea. Not to mention, a missing cob from the plate.
Can a Dog be Given Pop Corn?
Absolutely! It should not be flavored, buttered or salted though. Good old air popped corn is an excellent crunchy treat that your dog will love. It also has some fiber and will provide some instant energy thanks to the carbohydrate content.
Ensure that there are no un-popped kernels in the bowl of pop corn that you give your dog though. Unpopped kernels like the cob, are a recipe for digestive problems in dogs.
A Case of Too Many Grains
While most pet parents wouldn’t think too much before giving their dog a bowl of corn, there are another group of people who believe that corn and other grains should not be a part of a dog’s diet at all.
If you are feeding your dog packaged food, chances are high that they are already ingesting all the grains that they need.
Probably more than what they need. And contrary to what you believe, corn and other grains are added to dog food because they are cheap. It has nothing to do with the nutritional content of the grains.
On the other hand, if your dog food is grain free, then by all means go ahead and let your pooch enjoy the corn. It’s a treat they will cherish every now and then.
