Cornmeal (or corn flour) is a common ingredient that should not be frequently given to your dog.
But wait! Isn’t this grain in many foods, including canine chow?
Yes, that is true.
Cornmeal is a popular filler in mass-produced dog products. Sometimes it’s even marketed as a good source of protein which isn’t exactly true.
Unfortunately, many owners continue to feed their dogs too much cornmeal or similar fillers.
This common grain is not healthy for hounds.
Dogs Shouldn’t Be Regularly Eating Cornmeal
This ground and dried filler is best avoided.
Protein from meat is way better for your dog than cornmeal and grains in general.
Most experts agree that corn is not great. It lacks nutritional value, but is also poorly digested.
Spend a little more and get your dog a quality grain-free cornmeal-free canine chow.
Cornmeal And Allergies
Allergies are often linked to corn-based foods.
Some dogs develop an allergy or bowel problems from eating too much cornmeal. It can contribute to coarse coats, ear infections, flaky or itchy skin and even weight problems.
Cornmeal in dog food is an indication of a poor diet.
Eliminate corn, also known as maize, if you have a pet with allergy problems. The situation may improve.
A grain-based dog food will always fall short of your dog’s dietary needs. This could eventually become apparent when their health declines.
It’s A Bad Filler Food
Dog food is better than what was available in years past.
There’s a positive trend towards having meats as the foundation for good nutrition. Highly-processed products that contain too much cornmeal are out of favor and for good reason.
When selecting foods for your dog…
The choice between corn-based or meat-based food is easy. Make sure they get good protein which means little or no cornmeal. Chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, venison and fish are all great options.
Reduce Grain, Improve Health
Maintaining a healthy diet means spending time reading nutritional labels. This also holds true when choosing a quality dog food.
Provide a top quality grain-free dog food that’s protein packed.
If you see cornmeal, or a similar derivative, listed as a top ingredient it’s best avoided.
Find a Good Canine Chow
Identifying quality meat in dog food can be tricky.
For instance, the word poultry may refer to by-products of chicken. Pure chicken is much preferred since poultry includes the internal organs such as the heart and the liver.
But this classification can also mean there are animal parts like heads, bones, feet and other undesirable unknowns. These are things, in addition to cornmeal, that are best not fed to dogs.
The Bottom Line
Cornmeal, cornflour and many other grains are unhealthy fillers and this certainly applies to dogs.
The goal should be not to simply fill up your pet’s stomach — such a feeding strategy will eventually lead to poor health.
Focus instead on providing your dog with quality nutrition that can also be properly digested.
Cornmeal, either as an ingredient in human foods or in corn-based dog food, is to be avoided whenever possible.
I have a dog with chronic kidney disease. I need to limit his meat intake to keep phosphorus level down. I have no choice but to find a suitable accompanying filler, with enough carbs, to meet his energy requirements, i.e. grains, cereals etc. How I can make the best out of his condition?
My small dog has been sick for the last two days and has thrown up about 10 times. We took her to the vet and they ran blood and urine tests which were normal. We were trying to figure out what she could have gotten into and we came up with cornmeal for ants. We don’t know if this was it, but maybe.
Thanks for the info. It is always difficult to know what to feed my baby. I have a little Maltipoo who is 4 months old.