Why
Corn is not toxic to dogs and is a common ingredient in dog food. The AKC describes it as a source of protein, carbohydrates, linoleic acid and antioxidants, and says it is safe to share corn off the cob in small amounts.
The cob is the real danger. Dogs often chew off chunks and swallow them, and the AKC warns that a swallowed cob can cause choking or a serious intestinal blockage. Buttered, salted or seasoned corn and flavored popcorn also add fat and salt your dog does not need.
Risks to watch for
- Corn cobs, whole or in pieces
- Husks and silk
- Butter, salt and seasoning
- Buttered, salted or flavored popcorn and unpopped kernels
- Creamed corn and corn casseroles, which may contain dairy, sugar, onion or garlic
- Signs of a blockage: repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea or dehydration
How to share safely
- Cut the kernels off the cob, then put the cob straight into a bin your dog cannot open.
- Serve plain cooked, frozen or canned corn with no salt or butter.
- Plain air-popped popcorn is fine as an occasional treat. Pick out any unpopped kernels.
- Try a small amount first, since some dogs have food allergies.
How much?
A small dog can have about a spoonful of corn kernels and a large dog a couple of spoonfuls, as an occasional treat.
My dog ate a corn cob. What now?
Call your vet as soon as you know, even if your dog seems fine. A cob does not break down in the stomach, and a piece that is small enough to swallow can still be too big to pass through the intestines. Problems are not always immediate, so a dog can seem normal at first.
Do not try to make your dog vomit at home. A hard cob can get stuck in the throat on the way back up. Your vet will decide what to do, which may include X-rays or an ultrasound and, if the cob is stuck, surgery. Until then, watch for:
- Repeated vomiting, or retching with nothing coming up
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or reduced activity
- Diarrhea, or straining with little or no stool
- Signs of dehydration, such as dry, tacky gums
Barbecues, harvest tables and fall decorations
Corn cobs go missing at barbecues and holiday meals, where guests hand scraps down under the table and half-eaten cobs sit on plates at nose height. Ask guests not to feed your dog, clear plates quickly, and keep the trash and compost bins closed.
Fall decorations can be a problem too. Bundles of dried corn stalks, ornamental corn cobs and husk wreaths look and smell interesting to a dog. They are hard to digest, can cause the same blockages as a cooked cob, and can grow mold if they get damp. Hang them out of reach.
Popcorn, corn chips and cornbread
The AKC says only plain, air-popped popcorn is suitable for dogs. Movie theater popcorn, microwave popcorn and kettle or caramel corn are loaded with butter, salt, oil or sugar. Unpopped kernels are hard and can get stuck in teeth or upset the stomach.
Corn chips and tortilla chips are salty and fried, and flavored varieties often use onion or garlic powder. Cornbread and corn muffins contain butter, sugar and sometimes cheese or jalapeños. Creamed corn and corn pudding add cream and sugar. If you want to share, give a few plain kernels instead.
Common questions
Is corn good for dogs?
Only in limited ways. Corn is not toxic to dogs and is a common ingredient in dog food. The AKC describes it as a source of protein, carbohydrates, linoleic acid and antioxidants, and says it is safe to share corn off the cob in small amounts.
Is corn bad for dogs?
It can be. Risks to watch for: corn cobs, whole or in pieces; husks and silk.
Are dogs allowed to have corn?
Only in small amounts and the right form. Cut the kernels off the cob, then put the cob straight into a bin your dog cannot open.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.
- American Kennel Club (AKC). “Can Dogs Eat…?” article series.
If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Do not wait for symptoms. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).