Who doesn’t love sweetcorn, imagine the delightful sight of you eating the fresh, juicy, sweet and yellow sweetcorn. Now suddenly you look and there he is your dog, looking at you with those puppy eyes asking you to share the sweetcorn with him too. At that moment the question, “Can Dogs Eat Sweetcorn?” can bother you.
There is absolutely no escape from those puppy eyes. You are melting and about to give your dog sweetcorn and suddenly you stop as the thought of can dog eat sweetcorn strikes you. This is the common situation faced by every pet parent.
Here in this blog, we will try to solve your query. We will provide you with all the required information on whether your dog can eat sweet corn or not, its benefits and the risks associated with it.
Can Dogs Eat Sweetcorn?
Yes, dogs can eat sweetcorn. Sweetcorn being rich in protein, fibre and carbohydrates makes a good treat for your dog. Sweetcorn given in plain form without any seasoning and added ingredients serves many health benefits to dogs.
The quantity of sweetcorn to be fed to dogs generally depends upon their size, breed and nutritional requirements. However, while feeding your dog sweetcorn always remember to give it in moderate quantity.
Sweet corn should be given to the dog as a treat and not as food that too occasionally. According to experts, the treats given to dogs should not exceed 10% of their daily calorie requirement[1].
As per Dr. Caramico's mention in bechewy, "When introducing a new food, always do so with a small portion to monitor for any gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. As a rule of thumb, 90% or more of a dog’s total daily caloric intake should be in the form of dog food. Corn, and human food in general, should never exceed 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake."
Whenever feeding your dog sweetcorn, make sure you remove the cob. The cob of sweetcorn cannot be digested by dogs and can lead to choking and even getting stuck in the intestine.
Before introducing sweetcorn to your dog, try giving it in small quantities to check if it suits him or not. If your dog is allergic to sweetcorn avoid feeding it and in case of any health complications consult the vet immediately.
What Types of Sweetcorn Can Dogs Eat?
Usually, sweetcorn is consumed in raw, cooked and various forms, but which type of sweetcorn can dogs eat? Here are a few types of sweetcorn that dogs can consume and which are not toxic to them:
Raw sweetcorn
Dogs can eat raw sweetcorn and it is safe for them. However, the only issue here is raw sweetcorn are not easily digestible by dog. Due to not being easily digestible, raw sweetcorn should not be a preferable choice and should be given occasionally.
Boiled sweetcorn
Boiled sweetcorn are safe as well as easily digestible for dogs. Due to being cooked, they turn moist and can be digested well. Boiled sweetcorn can even be added to your dog’s daily food and fed them adding more taste and flavour to it. While boiling sweetcorn remove the cob, in order to prevent choking and intestinal issues in dogs.
Tinned sweetcorn
Tinned sweetcorn is a good source of vitamins and minerals for dogs but it should be plain water-packed. While buying tinned sweetcorn look for the ingredients as many of them consist of sugar and salt. Excessive salt consumption can boost your dog’s blood pressure.
It is important to check the expiry date of tinned sweetcorn, due to being precooked they can be spoilt. Many of them also come along with cob, thus make sure you remove it.
Frozen sweetcorn
Frozen sweetcorn is a great treat for dogs. Them being crunchy and nourishing are widely enjoyed by dogs. Apart from this if you have puppy who is teething providing frozen sweetcorn can be beneficial to soothe the gums.
Popcorn
Dogs can eat popcorn and it makes a great treat for them, but the popcorn should be plain without salt, cheese or any other seasoning and ingredients. Avoid feeding your dog unpopped kernels to prevent choking or other intestinal issues. These unpopped kernels may even get stuck in your dog’s teeth and cause discomfort to them.
Baby sweetcorn
Baby sweetcorn is the only form of sweetcorn which can eaten fully without eliminating any part. They are generally soft and moist and easily consumable. Even the cob of baby sweet corn can be eaten by dogs as it too is not hard.
Benefits of Sweetcorn for Dogs
Here are some benefits of feeding sweetcorn to your dog:
- Sweetcorn being rich in fibre, helps in the improvement of a dog’s digestive system. It prevents constipation making their bowel system better.
- The protein in sweetcorn helps maintain a dog’s immune system[2] and energy level and also promotes muscle growth.
- Being packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, potassium and phosphorus, it promotes the overall growth of the dog.
- Sweetcorn contains antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin which boost dog cells protecting them from inflammation, oxidative damage and many chronic diseases.
Some dogs may have conditions like inflammatory bowel disease that require special diets. Check out what to feed a dog with inflammatory bowel disease if your dog has stomach sensitivities.
Risks of Sweetcorn for Dogs
Though sweetcorn is safe for dogs to eat and serves several benefits, there are a few risks associated with it too:
- Due to the higher carbohydrate content in sweetcorn, dogs may suffer from gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.
- Sweetcorn is not for every dog, some of the dogs may be allergic to it. If your dog suffers breathing difficulty, itching, or swelling after consuming sweetcorn then he is likely to have the allergy. In this case, you must seek medical guidance to get further details.
- Feeding a large amount of sweetcorn to your dog can lead to obesity and other serious health problems.
- While feeding your dog if you are not removing the cob or unpopped kernels it can get stuck in your dog’s throat and stomach.
While sweetcorn can be a healthy treat, dogs with certain health conditions like kidney disease may need to be on a low protein dog food diet prescribed by their veterinarian. Adding high carbohydrate foods like sweetcorn should be discussed with your vet if your dog requires a therapeutic kidney diet.
FAQs
Can dogs eat corn on the cob?
No, dogs cannot eat corn on the cob. You should avoid giving your dog corn cob as it can lead to choking, and if it gets stuck in the intestine, surgery may be required to remove it. Whenever you cook corn remember to remove the cob before feeding it to your dog to avoid complications.
Can dogs eat popcorn?
Yes, dogs can eat popcorn. They are safe for them to consume, but only if given without seasoning. Cheese popcorn or salt-added popcorn should be avoided for dogs as it may lead to further health complications in them. Moreover giving your dog plain popcorn can serve various health benefits.
How much corn can a dog eat?
The quantity of corn a dog can eat depends upon, the dog’s size, breed and nutrition requirements. Corn being high in calories and carbohydrates should be given to dogs in moderate quantity. Corn does serve health benefits and can be a good treat for your dog however giving it in large quantities can lead to health complications.
Is corn easy for dogs to digest?
Usually, corn’s digestion depends upon its form, whether they are cooked or raw. Cooked corn is easier to digest than raw corn because cooking helps the digestive enzymes break the starch molecule easily. A dog’s digestive system can digest up to 60% raw food and 90% cooked food. Moreover, corn in raw form can be digested by dogs but may lead to gastric issues.
Are corn toxic to dogs?
No, corn is not toxic to dogs. Corn is rich in fibre, protein and carbohydrates and serves several health benefits to dog. However, despite all these benefits, corn should only be given in moderation to dogs and should not be a replacement of dog food. Giving your dog corn in large quantities can lead to obesity and many other health issues.
Conclusion
Sweetcorn can be a great source of nutrition and minerals for your dog. Instead of feeding your dog packed treats, you can opt for this healthy option. However, it should always be kept in mind that little is more. If you feed your dog more than the required amount of sweetcorn, instead of providing benefits it will cause risk.
Generally, sweetcorn in all its types can be given to dogs, but it should be plain, without any ingredients added.
While sweetcorn makes a healthy treat for dogs, other options like fig rolls, which dog owners may ask "can dogs eat fig rolls?", can also be given in moderation.
Reference:
- Morros-Nuevo, A. (n.d.). Diet planning. Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience.
- Purdue Veterinary Medicine. (n.d.-a). Immune-Mediated Diseases. Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.
