What You Should Know About Feeding Your Dog Corn!

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Are you thinking of feeding your dog some corn?

You aren’t alone. We get asked about this topic a lot.

Can I Give My Dog Corn?First, it should be pointed out that maize is a very unique grain.

The thing is corn isn’t entirely natural. It would not have grown without the advent of cultivation.

In any case, when it comes to your dog’s diet, sharing really shouldn’t be a regular thing.

Corn Is Not Great For Dogs

It’s certainly not toxic, but not healthy either.

Small amounts of corn won’t harm your dog, but regularly feeding it is sort of a bad idea.

It’s basically a mediocre choice.

What are the valid reasons to avoid frequently feeding your furry friend maize?

For one, the high carbohydrates are a sub-par source of energy.

Also consider that corn may contribute to allergies. Keep reading to learn more…

A Cheap Food Filler

The fact is most pets eat too much grain.

Only since commercially-produced dog food became popular has corn and other questionable fillers been added to the mix.

There’s plenty of evidence linking health issues dogs commonly have to certain ingredients in store-bought products. And corn is a top culprit.

A Corny Perspective

It is easy to think of corn as a natural food, but again it’s only recently been cultivated.

This leafy stalk would not exist if man hadn’t arranged it.

Why do dog food manufacturers favor corn and its derivatives?

That’s simple!

It’s an inexpensive grain compared to meat and quality protein.

You’d be smart to refrain from regularly feeding corn despite the fiber and other nutrients.


FYI: There’s been a push to have maize phased-out from dog foods which is a positive development!


Corn on the Cob?

Corn-on-the-cob seems like a food that’s perfect for a dog to gnaw on.

But please, please don’t toss them a leftover husk.

While a whole cob appears difficult to consume, dogs can make quick work of it (especially if they’re hungry enough).

Corn on the cob can cause a serious intestinal blockage if your dog manages to get one down their throat.

Watch this video on how to safely feed your dog corn on the cob.

K9 Corn Consumption

If your dog gets into some corn by accident, or even popcorn, don’t worry about these carbs so much.

Just keep a close eye on them for awhile. Inspect stools to see if the corn passes through their system.

It’s okay to keep your dog on their regular eating schedule if things seem normal.

Not For Constipation

Corn doesn’t work that well for canine constipation.

Besides, dogs don’t generally experience this condition for extended periods. They process foods fairly fast.

It’s often best to let a case of constipation resolve itself naturally.

Pumpkin is a superior option for such a scenario. Forget about feeding corn.

The Bottom Line

Your dog should not be eating much corn.

They’re likely getting enough grains in regular dog food, sometimes too much.

If a pet eats a bit of corn it’s not cause for great concern. Just don’t make it a habit.

Get a quality grain-free dog food to provide valuable nutrients.

What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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14 thoughts on “What You Should Know About Feeding Your Dog Corn!”

  1. Dogs have a severe allergic reactions to corn which causes their immune system to flood their bodies with histamine. Dogs can’t take this kind of reaction well.

    The more corn you give them, the less tolerant they are to it until finally they can develop mast cell tumors. Those tumor can become big, fatty looking growths which frequently turn malignant. At that point the dog will almost certainly die.

    Millions of dogs die needless due to mast cell tumors because their owners either just didn’t know, or were too lazy to read up on it. Corn is poisonous to dogs. Feed your dog only grain-free foods.

  2. My dog loves to eat corn off the cob, but I do not let her chew on the cob. I also don’t butter or salt the corn and I hold on to the cob when feeding it to her. She absolutely loves it, though I don’t do this often.

    My dog has not shown any side effects from this. I would like to get responses about this. Again, I hold the cob while she eats it and do not let her have the cob. Is this bad for her?

  3. I have a Shetland Sheepdog and he’s a corn freak. He has been eating corn-on-the-cob for 7 years, not a lot. There have been no problems whatsoever.

    1. I have added frozen mixed veggies that I cook before adding it to my Sheltie’s food. Is this okay, as it contains sweet corn?

  4. I have deer in my back yard and 2 outside dogs. I want to feed the deer but I’m afraid the deer corn will harm the dogs. What do you think?

    1. Trudy, I think feeding deer is a really bad idea for you, the dogs and the deer. I wouldn’t do it!

    2. Please, do not ever feed deer! You do not want them gathering together in one location because it spreads CWD (chronic waste disease) from deer to deer much more easily. CWD is always fatal to deer. You are not doing them any favors by feeding them.

  5. Our dog got a hold of an ear of feed corn that we had hung for the squirrels. She ate most of the kernels, but we got the cob away from her. 24 hours later, other than passing copious quantities of undigested corn kernels, she seems none the worse for wear.

  6. I fed my dog a sweet corn husk thinking it would be like a bone to her but she then stopped eating. I took her to the vet. Luckily I told the veterinarian what I had given her because he said a sweet corn husk would not have showed up on an x-ray. She is now fully recovered after my silly mistake.

    1. I believe what you gave her was a corn cob. That is the part that is left after the kernels are eaten. The husk is the leaves on the outside of the cob. I am trying to help because it is best for the vet to know exactly what the pup ate.

  7. The majority of these are genetically modified: corn, cottonseed, canola and soybean oils.

    1. Hi Terence. Yes agreed, I believe I read somewhere that corn is now the top genetically modified food in the world. Who knows what the long term health effects of tampering with such important food supply chains will ultimately be. Cancer rates are already exploding.

  8. As a vet, I would recommend that you should never give dogs left-over (or complete) corn-on-the-cob. They will eat them, usually because of the melted butter. Over the years, I have had to operate to remove all sorts of things stuck in dogs’ stomachs or intestines. A large proportion of them have been cobs.

    1. Anthony I appreciate your advice. I will update my content to reflect the expert info about corn-on-the-cob. Please come back again to share your professional first hand experience.

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