Is your dog giving you the puppy eyes at mealtime? It’s so tempting to treat our dogs with a bite of human food. After all, our dogs are our family, and we like to treat them as such.
As sad as it is, though our dogs feel like real family members, they have real differences when it comes to their anatomy and biology. This makes feeding fido some human food a risky act.
The good news is – there is plenty of human food which are A-okay for your pup to enjoy (in moderation, that is). One of these fido-friendly foods is corn!
Benefits of Corn for Dogs
It is acceptable for dogs to have a snack of corn every so often. Corn is not toxic to dogs and is easily digestible. In fact, corn and corn byproduct is used in a lot of dog kibble already.
Corn is an incredibly widely used grain and finds its way into everything from human snacks to pet food. Due to this, corn is regarded as a safe snack to feed your pup.
In fact, corn has lots of nutritional benefits for your four-legged family member, such as:
Easily digestible carbohydrates
Essential proteins and amino acids for healthy skin, fur, bones, and more
Provides Linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that dogs cannot produce naturally, so it’s important they receive it in foods rich with it, such as corn
Antioxidants, like beta-carotene.
Fiber which promotes healthy digestion and bowel movements
Portion Control
Although corn is safe and even nutritious for dogs, it’s important to always serve veggies to dogs in moderation. Too much human food may cause an imbalance in your dog’s diet, resulting in poor nutrition or weight gain. Plus, no one enjoys having fido beg for corn every time you try to eat!
It’s also important to note that when corn is seasoned, such as with salt, better, or butter it should not be given to dogs. Though corn is safe for canines, extra condiments that may come on it are not. Seasonings like pepper can cause stomach upset, and butter is fatty and unhealthy for your dog.
In extremely rare cases, dogs can be allergic to corn. Though uncommon, this should be a serious concern. If you’re feeding your dog a new treat like corn, you should always be watching for unusual reactions or symptoms.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to food in dogs include:
If you notice this type of reaction, stop feeding the food immediately. The dog may need to get follow-up care from a veterinarian, particularly if diarrhea or vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, if the dog shows any signs of extreme swelling or anaphylaxis, or has trouble moving as usual.
A vet can also allergy test your dog to get information on what foods your dog is sensitive to. Once this panel is done, your vet can explain which foods you should avoid feeding your dog. In the case of a corn allergy, this would mean not only avoiding the vegetable but avoiding kibble formulas that are high in corn byproducts, like cornmeal.
Can Dogs Eat Corncobs?
Though pups will likely delight at the prospect of getting to gnaw on a corncob, dogs should not ever have access to corncobs as a treat. Giving a dog a corncob is dangerous because its strong teeth can easily break off chunks of the cob, causing a choking hazard.
Corn cobs are so large that they can lodge in the esophagus of the dog, causing troubling breathing and choking. If the corn cob passes through to the stomach, t is near impossible for the dog to properly digest it. This can cause other issues, like stomach upset, throwing up, and intestinal obstruction.
A GI obstruction is a very serious thing. Obstructions typically occur in small to medium dogs, because their GI tract is smaller and less able to pass large objects. However, large breeds are not immune. If you suspect your dog has a GI obstruction, it’s important to get veterinarian care right away.
Dogs with a GI injury or obstruction usually show one or more of the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Dry heaving
Dark, almost black ‘tarry’ stool
Constipation
Discomfort in the abdominal region
If you ever notice symptoms of this kind in your dog, it’s best to get them to an emergency vet as soon as possible. GI tract injuries and obstructions can quickly become life-threatening. Veterinarians can provide x-rays to identify the blockage, as well as perform procedures to remove it.
Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?
When corn is warmed up to extreme temperatures, you create popcorn, a popular crunchy snack perfect for munching while watching a film. The question is, can fido enjoy some of your popcorn while enjoying a movie night with you?
The answer is yes, but with conditions. Humans usually put tons of toppings on their popcorn. Butter, hot sauce, salt, pepper, chocolate chips, and more…Popcorn is popularly served with additives. Some popcorns even come premade with a caramel drizzle, mocha coating, or other flavorings.
Popcorn with any additives, even just butter or salt, should not be served to your dog. Things like butter, salt, and pepper can disrupt your dog’s digestive system and cause stomach upset. Some popcorns that include caramel or chocolate may pose a bigger threat to your dog. Chocolate is toxic to dogs.
Plain popcorn with no added seasonings or toppings is OK to give to fido as a special treat – but only in small quantities and infrequently!
Can Dogs Eat Canned Corn?
Looking to make use of that canned corn in the cabinet? It can be a safe treat for your pup. However, observe the can details. Lots of canned corn has tons of added sodium for taste and preservation purposes.
Though small amounts of sodium are OK, large amounts can cause stomach upset or dehydration. Try to feed your dog canned corn that is marked as low sodium. All in all, canned corn kernels are generally safe to feed your dogs as an occasional treat in small amounts.
What Other Kinds of Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
Considering dogs close relationships with humans, they have evolved to be able to enjoy some of the favorite foods that we do. However, dogs’ digestive systems are generally much different than ours, and therefore we need to be cautious when feeding dogs human food.
However, there are several veggies that are safe for your pup to snack on in moderation. Apart from corn, your dog can also eat sweet potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, celery, pickles, and bell peppers. Of course, all these veggies should be fed in moderation.
Different dogs will have different reactions to each vegetable, so be sure to monitor your dog after feeding them a special treat!
Conclusion
In short, dogs can eat corn kernels, in moderation. Dogs should never be fed corn cobs, due to the risk of choking and obstruction. Popcorn and canned corn are acceptable if it isn’t overly saturated with toppings or additives. So, snack on with your four-legged BFF!
