Is corn good or bad for dogs? Well, many dog foods use corn as a filler, so it is safe to say that it is not dangerous for dogs to eat. Having said that, this doesn’t mean that your dogs should be eating a lot of extra corn on a regular basis.
You can give your dog a little bit of corn now and again which won’t hurt them but it should be given in moderation. Corn is very rich in vitamins and minerals, so a treat here and there is actually healthy for your dogs. However, you should be aware that the actual cobs pose a risk of causing intestinal obstruction if you’re wondering whether corn cobs are good for your dog and avoid giving this to them because they may swallow large pieces from the cob.
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Health Benefits of Corn for Dogs
There is a reason why corn is used as a filler in many dog foods: it is loaded with nutrients that dogs need to be healthy and strong. Corn is an excellent source of protein and good carbohydrates, as well as antioxidants and linoleic acid.
Dogs do need a certain amount of good carbs in their diets, and they can get what they need from the corn in their food, and any extra corn that you give them as a treat. Corn is a great source of dietary fiber, as well as several important vitamins and minerals.
Feeding Corn to Your Dogs
As long as it is fresh or fresh frozen, you can feed just about any type of corn to your dogs. They love sweet corn, and the delicious corn kernels are loaded with nutrients that they need. Make sure that you never feed canned corn to your dogs, because it is not only processed, it often contains added ingredients that are not good for dogs.
When it comes to preparing corn for your dogs, the best method is to boil it in water with no salt or anything else added. Never butter corn that you are going to feed to your dogs, and never put any salt on it.
While dogs do need some sodium in their diets, they get what they need from their regular dog food and they do not need any more. In fact, too much salt can lead to a number of serious health problems, including heart problems, diabetes, and pancreatitis.
As with anything else that you would give to your dogs as a treat, make sure that you don’t go overboard with corn. It is best to give them corn in moderation, because too much can cause stomach upset.
It is a bad idea to give your dog foods that contain corn, such as corn tortillas or chips, because they may also contain other ingredients that are not healthy for dogs, such as onion or garlic.
Can Dogs Chew on Corn Cobs?
Corn on the cob is a delicious treat that most of us love, but is it safe to give it to your dogs? Dogs do love chewing on corn cobs, but not only can corn cobs pose a choking hazard, they can also cause intestinal blockages if ingested.
Your dogs could even become ill after eating corn cobs, with symptoms including lethargy, dehydration, excessive vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. If your dogs have eaten corn on the cob and you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?
Another treat that dogs love is popcorn, but is it okay for them to eat it? For smaller dogs, popcorn could pose a choking hazard, but it is safe for larger dogs to eat. You can give it to smaller dogs if you just give them the puffy part and remove the kernels that can get caught in their throats.
But you can’t just give any type of popcorn to your dogs. It needs to be plain, with no salt, butter, or other toppings. After all, if they can’t have these things on regular corn, it only stands to reason that they can’t have it on popcorn as well.
There are very few types of popped corn you can get that doesn’t have some sort of flavoring, so consider all of these treats off limits to your dogs. The best way to give them popcorn is to pop it yourself at home.
Use an air popper, so you don’t even have any unhealthy oil in it, and it can be a tasty treat that is safe for dogs. Before giving the popcorn to your dogs, make sure that all of the kernels are popped so there is no risk of them choking on any un-popped kernels.
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Corn in Moderation
If you want to give corn to your dogs once in a while as a treat, it is perfectly safe to do so, provided that it is plain, with no butter or salt. Because there is often corn in their regular dog food, this is not a treat that they need to have very much of, so try not to give them more than a half a cup or so weekly.