Americans love corn, and that’s a fact. It’s in almost every meal we eat. Corn is a key ingredient in everything from breakfast cereal to medications. In fact, most processed products that are made in America have corn-based ingredients. 

Is corn bad for dogs? If it’s green and garden-grown, it must be healthy, right? Not quite – corn for dogs has little nutritional value and can cause long-term health issues for your pup. 

Can dogs have corn?

Technically, yes – dogs can have corn. It’s not toxic to dogs, so don’t have a cow if your pup had a sneaky bite. Cooked corn that’s fed to your dog right off the cob isn’t going to kill them. But allowing your dog to consistently snack on corn can upset digestion and unbalance blood sugar. 

This might surprise you because corn is a key ingredient in most commercial dog food. Read on, and you’ll see the real reason why brands prefer to use corn as opposed to more nutritious ingredients. 

Can dogs have corn cobs?

After you’ve nibbled all the corn off your cob, don’t pass it over to your pup. Corn cobs are a serious choking hazard for dogs. If they accidentally swallow it, the cob can cause a blockage in the intestines. Corn for dogs isn’t a good idea in general, so just keep it away from your furry friend. 

Is corn good for dogs?

No, corn is not good for dogs. It’s okay for dogs to eat a few kernels by accident, but you shouldn’t feed them to your pup on purpose. So, why is corn bad for dogs? 

Reason #1: High Levels of Sugar

Corn has a high glycemic index, which means it can raise your dog’s blood sugar to unsafe levels. That explains the sweet taste that pairs well with butter and savory seasonings (for humans only!).

Reason #2: Low Nutrient Content

While corn for dogs isn’t toxic, there’s very little benefit to your pup eating it. Yes, it might taste fine (even delicious for us humans), but this food offers low nutrient levels with high calorie intake. 

People often argue with this fact, debating that corn has natural vitamins and minerals. This is true, but almost every natural food has nutrients to offer. 

Let’s compare corn and whole grain oats, for example. Oats have fewer carbohydrates and more natural protein, fiber, calcium, and iron. Now, which of these two foods would you prefer in your dog’s daily meal? 

Reason #3: Unhealthy Carbs

Some may point out that a benefit of corn is its low fat content. This food can also provide a boost for low-energy dogs. 

That may be true, but don’t forget that corn is a carbohydrate. It provides dogs with energy that will quickly burn out. Real meat is a richer source of energy per ounce which also offers quality protein for your pup. 

Reason #4: The Ancestral Diet

Until dogs were domesticated, their diet consisted of whatever they could hunt or harvest off the land. Dogs are carnivores that need a lot of meat in their diet. If the hunt didn’t provide, ancient pups could lean on fruits and vegetables to get by until their next chase. 

There isn’t much evidence that corn even appealed to dogs of the past. It wasn’t until the invention of kibble in the 1950s that corn was part of their diet. If that’s the case, why would we still feed it to them today? 

Here’s the answer: corn is cheap. It’s a more affordable ingredient that adds taste and texture to dog food. It’s certainly more budget-friendly than including nutritious real food ingredients. The Dog Food Advisor said it best: “...corn makes any pet food you find it in less expensive to produce.”

Where can I find dog food without corn? 

Take a walk through your local pet store and check the ingredients on a few bags of kibble. It’s harder to find corn-free dog food than you’d think! Corn might make dog food more affordable, but you can still find high-quality recipes that don’t rely on this filler ingredient. 

For instance, take Sundays for Dogs. They are a completely corn-free dog food brand, instead relying on real meat and superfood ingredients. Each recipe is vet-formulated, 100% human-grade, and provides complete nutrition by AAFCO standards. 

Corn in dog food is a thing of the past. Embrace the future of dog food with Sundays. Subscribe today and get a personalized meal plan just for your pup!