Most dogs aren’t picky eaters. You can give them some of what you’re eating and they probably won’t reject it.
However, as a pet owner, you should be more careful about what you give to your dog. Even though a food is considered healthy for humans, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to be great for dogs.
Just take sweetcorn as an example.
So can dogs eat sweetcorn? Dogs can eat sweetcorn but there are so many things you need to seriously consider first before giving one to your pup. If you are after information on other vegetables we have covered those here (Carrots, Swede, Butternut Squash).
Sweetcorn and Its Nutritional Value
Sweet corn is a good source of carbohydrates which your dog needs for energy and protein for tissue and muscle repair. It’s also loaded with essential fatty acids and natural antioxidants.
So, giving your dog sweetcorn is actually a good thing.
But, here’s the catch.
You should only give sweetcorn that has been taken off the cob.
Dogs who eat corn on the cob are highly at risk of choking. Once ingested, the cob can also cause some serious blockage in the intestinal tract. Depending on the extent of blockage, surgery may be required to restore gut health and motility.
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Now, if you’re unsure if your dog has accidentally swallowed one, you need to keep a close eye on your dog and check for the following signs:
- Diarrhea
- Producing little amounts of poo
- Lack of appetite
- Pain or tenderness in the abdominal area
- Tiredness
If you fear that your dog has indeed swallowed one and shows any of the signs, contact your vet right away.
Your vet will carry out a full physical exam to thoroughly assess the condition of your dog. This may include ultrasound, x-rays, and blood tests.
Why Your Dog Shouldn’t Eat Corn
Although corn has nutrients and carbohydrates, it’s still not the best food to give your dogs. For one, it has digestibility issues. Dogs can’t digest corns all the time.
Also, it’s not really full of fibre. It won’t help your dog if he’s having constipation. Your dog will be better off with other fruits and vegetables for that matter.
Puppies have an extra sensitive gut. They might not be able to handle sweet corn well. And once they develop an upset stomach, it’s easy for them to get dehydrated which can put their lives at risk.
With that, avoid giving your puppy corn until later in his life.
How Can Your Dog Eat Corn?
As mentioned, never give your dog corn that’s still on the cob. Additionally, go with fresh kernels and avoid using canned corns. As much as possible, go with the unsalted and unbuttered version.
Keep the quantity you give your dog to a minimum. Don’t give too much at once as that can leave your dog with a painful stomach.
Also, there are a lot of commercial dog foods that are loaded with corn so your dog is probably getting just enough of the grain. There’s no need to load your dog’s diet with a lot of corn and we hope we have answered your question as to whether dogs can eat sweetcorn.