Can Dogs Eat Baby Corn? Vet Reviewed Facts & Health Concerns
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Corn can be found in many commercial dog foods as a source of protein and energy. However, giving your dog corn on the cob isn’t a good idea because the cob possesses possible digestive hazards, including choking and obstructions. Baby corn offers the similar health benefits and taste of corn on the cob without the corn cob risks.
Can dogs eat baby corn? Yes, baby corn can be a safe and healthy treat for your dog if fed in moderation.
What Is Baby Corn?
Baby corn is a small variety of sweet corn harvested while the kernels are still immature. It’s soft with a mild flavor. Like standard corn, baby corn offers a range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, potassium, iron, and magnesium.
In addition, baby corn contains carotenoids, which support eye health and reduce the risk of eye disease. It’s low in calories and contains soluble and insoluble fiber for healthy digestion.
Can Dogs Eat Baby Corn?
Yes, baby corn can be a healthy treat for your dog. It contains a lot of nutrients to help dogs thrive. However, baby corn does not take the place of a complete and balanced dog food. Feeding baby corn in small amounts doesn’t hurt, but dogs don’t necessarily need the added vitamins and minerals. In fact, too much can disrupt the balance of your dog’s diet.
How to Feed Baby Corn to Dogs
If you want to give baby corn to your dog, you can offer a piece as a treat or add some to your dog’s food. Make sure the baby corn is cooked by boiling or steaming, not frying, and free of any additional oils, fats, or seasoning that can make your dog sick.
Canned baby corn is higher in sodium than fresh varieties. If you’re feeding canned baby corn, choose the low-sodium variety, rinse them with water to remove excess salt, and feed sparingly.
Only offer small amounts of baby corn the first time to see how your dog reacts. Though rare, dogs can have food allergies or sensitivities to corn. Make sure your dog doesn’t have any adverse reactions like chronic diarrhea or excessive itching before continuing to feed corn.
Can Dogs Have Corn on the Cob?
Like baby corn, standard corn can be a healthy treat for your dog. In fact, corn and corn byproducts are an ingredient in many dog foods.
Your dog can have corn kernels cooked without fats or seasoning and scraped off the cob. It’s extremely important to ensure that your dog doesn’t have any part of the corn cob. Though they may enjoy chewing on it, corn cobs can cause an intestinal blockage or choking and are a serious health concern in dogs.
Conclusion
Baby corn is a nutritious treat and a safer alternative to corn on the cob for dogs. It’s important to feed baby corn only as an occasional treat and in small quantities, however, as it isn’t a necessary part of your dog’s healthy diet.
Featured Image Credit: Bowonpat Sakaew, Shutterstock
