Can dogs eat corn?

When is corn safe for my dog to eat?

The short answer is this: it depends on the form of the corn. Most dogs will probably already be eating corn regularly in their dog biscuits unless they are allergic. However, the way it is served has a big impact on whether it is safe for them to eat.

Barbecue corn on the cob

Humans tend to prefer corn on the barbecue smothered in butter and eaten directly from the cob. Unfortunately, where we know not to eat the cob itself, most dogs will give it a go, risking causing a blockage in their gut.

While initially, this might not seem like a problem, the cob is not digestible for dogs and they may even die from the blockage if it remains untreated. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a corn cob, you contact your veterinarian immediately to see if the cob needs removed. They will be able to determine if your dog needs to be seen right away or not. It depends a lot on the dog’s size and if they’re showing any clinical signs.

Sweet corn from a can

Unlike corn on the cob, sweet corn has been removed from the cob and is therefore completely safe for dogs to eat. It is often used as an addition to pet food to bulk it out cheaply, though it doesn’t necessarily add much in terms of calorific value or protein.

Cornflour

Often used as a thickener in many types of dog foods, cornflour is also completely safe in your pet’s meals, though, again, it doesn’t add much in nutritional value. It is particularly useful if you like to make your own treats and if your dog is gluten-free.

Is corn good for my dog?

Given that dogs are mainly carnivores, and giving them vegetables might be new for you, it’s good to know that sweet corn (whole corn kettles) won’t do any damage as part of a healthy balanced diet, but isn’t easily digested unless the corn is finely ground. Overall, kettle corn is a good source of carbohydrates for your dog.

That said, cornflour is fine for use in home baked treats as it is there as a thickener to combine the ingredients for easy serving. In this amount, the cornflour isn’t going to have any negative effects or detract from the main, protein-rich ingredients you will be using in the bulk of the recipe.

Can puppies eat corn?

It is best to not start experimenting with any other foods until they have finished growing and are adult dogs.”  Any commercial puppy food is already properly balanced nutritionally.

Corn recipes to try at home

Birthday cake for dogs

Ingredients:

2.2 lbs chicken, minced in a food processor, or ready minced

1 medium apple

1/2 cup of carrots

1 eggshell and all

1/2 cup of peas

1 cup of brown rice

1/2 cup of sweet corn

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook the chopped carrots, peas and sweetcorn in a pot, then mash.

Cook brown rice according to packaging.

Mix vegetable mash and rice together in a bowl.

Peel and chop the apple into small pieces.

Pulverize a whole egg so that shell is totally crushed.

Blend chopped apple, egg and chicken together in a mixing bowl.

Assembly:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and line a cake pan.

For the first layer, use half of the chicken, apple and egg mixture and spread evenly across the base of the pan.

Now take around ⅔ of the veggie and rice mixture and spread that on top.

Spread on the rest of the chicken mixture, then top with the remainder of the veggie and rice mixture.

Put the cake in the oven for around 35 minutes or until the juices run clear.

Once cooked, allow to cool on a baking tray until cold, then serve up a slice to your dog.