Corn is grown throughout the world. It is a dense micronutrient, high-energy food. This is why corn is considered a key energy ingredient in livestock feeds. Grain products are usually added to animal feed as a source of essential nutrition for pets. Corn kernels also have a unique taste, which is appealing to various animal species. People use corn as livestock feed for domesticated animals like pigs. What about pets? Can dogs eat corn? Make sure this is safe for your dog.

Is Corn Safe For Dogs?

We all know that dogs eat meat but can also eat other products. Dogs can eat plenty of safe plant products. Fruits, vegetables, and cereals complement your dog’s menu, offering pets a lot of nutrients. A healthy dog is so because of a proper diet. This is what every owner wants to have for their pet. So, let’s check out the corn. You can ask, is it a healthy product or toxic for your dog?

We have good news for you. Dogs can eat corn. You can consider this product safe and stop worrying. Corn is another delicious thing to add to your dog food. In addition, consuming corn is good for your dog’s health. However, there is one more thing that you should keep in mind. Preparation of corn before feeding it to your dog is crucial. If not, wrongly prepared corn can hurt your dog. Continue reading for how to include corn in your dog’s diet.

Corn Benefits

Dogs can eat corn. Both raw and processed corn contain no poisonous materials that would harm your dog, so corn is a safe supplement for your pet’s food plan. Livestock feed often contains corn. That said, it is commonly used by dog food companies, too. Some dog food available in shops contains corn. Canned corn is also acceptable for dogs as long as it does not contain toxic and harmful additives.

Corn offers a high energy value , an advantage for animals with an elevated caloric demand. In addition to energy-giving carbohydrates, corn also contains fiber, which supports the digestive system. The plant also gives furry friends protein and vitamins. Hence, corn can be indeed healthy for dogs if it is fed to them in the right amount.

Corn Risks

However, there are some things you should take into consideration when adding corn to a dog diet. When purchasing dog food that contains corn, look at the ratios of the ingredients. It must be primarily high-grade meat. It is unacceptable for corn to represent the first ingredient in dog food, as this will make your pet dish have excessive amounts of carbohydrates. This is why dogs should never be fed too much corn, not obese or diabetic dogs.

If you want to give your dog corn yourself, prepare it in advance. So, you might get the idea that feeding your dog the whole cob is a great idea, as the long corn appears to be a good chew toy. But dogs can’t eat corn on the cob. The cob is a hard part of the plant that can cause choking or end up getting lodged in the intestines. That could then lead to drastic health issues.

So, cleanly remove kernels from the cob, cooked or raw, and feed your dog a few kernels. Generally, cooked grains are easy on the digestive system, so you should give them to dogs instead of uncooked. But when feeding your dog corn, you must ensure that the corn contains no additives (e.g., salt). Plus, dogs can have an allergic reaction to corn, so introduce it carefully the first time you offer corn to your canine.

Summary – Can Dogs Eat Corn?

Dogs can eat corn. A small portion of corn can add carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins to your dog’s diet. But if you’re still unsure whether corn is good for your dog, it’s worth checking with your vet.

Source

• Isabella Corsato Alvarenga, Amanda N. Dainton, Charles G. Aldrich (2022). A review: nutrition and process attributes of corn in pet foods.
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34078195/