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Can Dogs Eat Sweetcorn?

It may be funny, but it is not so easy to own a dog. All dog owners have a big responsibility because they have to take care of their dogs diet and many other things.

In this article we will talk about sweetcorn and its impact on your dog’s health. Have you ever fed your dog sweetcorn? Have you noticed any side effects after feeding your dog sweetcorn? Read carefully this article and you will find the answers. If you are a dog owner this article will be useful and interesting for you but first we will tell you something more about sweetcorn.

More about Sweetcorn

Sweetcorn is a variety of maize that is high in sugar. It is also called sugar corn. Sweetcorn is native to Central America but today it is grown all over the world. Corn grows to 7-10 feet in height and its crop is ready for harvesting after two to three months. Sweetcorn is prepared and eaten as a vegetable rather than a grain. Its kernels are delicious and they are consumed worldwide.

The shelf life of sweetcorn is not too long, so it is necessary to eat it before the kernels become starchy and tough. You can eat sweetcorn fresh, canned or frozen. It is best to store sweetcorn in the fridge and you should not remove the husks, if you want your sweetcorn to maintain its taste, moisture and flavor. Sweetcorn is rich in sugar, dietary fiber and protein.

It also contains vitamins and minerals, so it has many health benefits for people. In comparison to some other vegetables, sweetcorn is high in calories, so you should eat this grain in moderation. A good thing is that sweetcorn is gluten free and it can be safely used by people who are gluten intolerant. But, can we feed our dogs sweetcorn? Read along this article and you will find out.

Is Sweetcorn Safe for Dogs?

Well, if your dog has already eaten some sweetcorn, you don’t have to panic immediately. A small amount of sweetcorn won’t do any harm to your dog. But, sweetcorn should not be a regular part of your dog’s diet. It is not a great choice for your dog for many reasons. Although corn is used as a cheap filler in most dog foods, it is better to find some other quality grain-free brand for your dog. It is shown that sweetcorn is one of the most common reasons for many health problems that your dog may experience.

Although sweetcorn contains a lot of fiber, you should not feed it to your dog. Fiber in sweetcorn won’t clear digestive tract of your dog because it is not a constipation remedy. It is better to feed your dog pumpkin or some other vegetable.

If your dog has eaten a certain amount of sweetcorn, you should watch the reaction of your dog within a couple of hours. Take a look at the stool of your dog, because your dog may suffer from diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should stop feeding your dog sweetcorn and take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Some studies have shown that sweetcorn is especially bad for larger dogs that are prone to bloating.

Also, sweetcorn may cause skin irritations and other skin problems to your dog.

It is proved that you should never permit your dog to chew sweetcorn on a cob because it may cause blockages and some other health problems. In some serious cases corn cobs may cause death.

Remember that a dog’s diet should be based primarily on protein from meat sources. Dogs are getting enough grains in their regular dog food, so there’s no need to add sweetcorn to their diet. The occasional oatmeal for your dog isn’t bad, however. If your dog has eaten some sweetcorn, it won’t probably do any harm to him, but large amounts of this grain will cause many health problems.

Summary

After reading this article we are sure that you won’t feed your dog sweetcorn. Although it is not toxic, it is definitely a bad option for your dog. As we have already said, sweetcorn contains fiber and it is rich in nutrients, but it won’t regulate your dog’s digestion.

Remember that a quality corn-free dog food is much preferred for your dog. You should keep in mind that you have the responsibility for your dog’s health, so you need to provide him a balanced and nutritional diet. Sweetcorn may not be toxic for your dog if eaten in small amounts, but it will not provide your dog any nutrients that he needs. You should find some other option for your dog, although maybe it isn’t grass. We hope that you have enjoyed this article and that you will provide your dog long, healthy and happy life.