Dangers of corn on the cob to dogs and what to do if your dog eats one (2024)

Dangers of corn on the cob to dogs and what to do if your dog eats one (1)

Can dogs eat corn cobs?

Unlike most vegetables, corn on the cobs don’t digest in a dog’s stomach. That means they are likely to cause a blockage, and possible perforation, if they’re left to make their way through the intestines.

Is sweetcorn dangerous for dogs?

Sweetcorn is, in actual fact, a healthy option for dogs – as long as it’s been taken off the cob. The kernels contain protein, natural antioxidants andessential fatty acids and are a great source of energy.

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What are the symptoms of corn on the cob ingestion?

Dogs who have eaten a corn cob may show some of these clinical signs:

  • Sickness
  • Diarrhoea
  • Tiredness
  • Difficulty pooing or producing small amounts of poo
  • Poor appetite
  • Abdominal tenderness or pain
Dangers of corn on the cob to dogs and what to do if your dog eats one (2)
Unlike most vegetables, corn on the cobs don't digest in a dog's stomach, meaning they are likely to cause a blockage

What to do if your dog eats a corn cob?

Most dogs swallow things they shouldn’t from time to time. These so-called foreign objects usually pass through their system without causing any problems. However, some are just too big and can get stuck. This may be the case with corn cobs.If you fear your dog has eaten something – such as a corn on the cob – that may cause a blockage you should contact your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic or Vets Now 24/7 hospital straight away.

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Dog ate corn cob treatment

Corn cobs are treated as ‘foreign bodies’ so your vet will perform a full physical examination and may also carry out blood tests, x-rays and an ultrasound. Your dog may have to go under general anaesthetic to have the foreign object removed. The health of your dog’s intestine will be assessed and in the most serious cases, it may also be necessary to remove a portion of the damaged intestine.

Dog needs surgery to remove corn on the cob

A black Labrador had to have emergency surgery at Vets Now after eating corn on the cob.Two-year-old Henry’s owner didn’t think twice when she gave him the leftover vegetables.She believed corn cobs were a healthy alternative to other more fat-laden human foods. But the reality is they can cause serious blockages in a dog’s intestines – as Henry discovered to his cost.

Taking up the story his owner explained: “We’re always very careful about what we feed Henry because we don’t want him to put on too much weight. “We thought all vegetables were fine and didn’t think twice when he crunched up leftover sweetcorn cobs.”

Dangers of corn on the cob to dogs and what to do if your dog eats one (3)
Henry the Labrador needed emergency treatment after swallowing a corn on the cob

However, the following day Henry became ill, so his owner called Vets Now for advice. She added: “Luckily, Jenny at Vets Now knew all about the dangers of corn cobs. After a consultation and x-ray, Jenny discovered the corn cobs in his stomach. By 11 pm, Henry was in the operating theatre having them removed.”

His owner said: “We were very lucky that we had noticed Henry was unwell before the cobs left his stomach, so Jenny was able to take them all out in one go.When Jenny phoned us the following morning to tell us how Henry was doing, she was delighted with his progress. You’d never know now that anything had been wrong. Henry’s fur has grown back and covered his scar.

“It goes without saying that if it wasn’t for Vets Now, things could have been much worse and we’re very grateful that they were able to help Henry as quickly as they did.”

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Dangers of corn on the cob to dogs and what to do if your dog eats one (2024)

FAQs

Dangers of corn on the cob to dogs and what to do if your dog eats one? ›

Corn on the cob should never be given to a dog unsupervised and should not be used as a chew treat. If your dog has eaten corn on the cob, watch for signs of choking or gastrointestinal distress. If you see these signs, visit your veterinarian immediately.

What happens if a dog eats a corn cob but seems fine? ›

Corn cobs can potentially cause more damage by vomiting them because it could cause an obstruction in the esophagus and potentially even choking to death. You should call your veterinarian as soon as your pet eats the cob, or as soon as you find the 'evidence' that makes you think they ate it.

What happens if a dog eats an ear of corn? ›

Unlike most vegetables, corn on the cobs don't digest in a dog's stomach. That means they are likely to cause a blockage, and possible perforation, if they're left to make their way through the intestines.

How long does it take for a dog to pass a corn cob? ›

You realize that your dog has consumed a corn cob. Should you be concerned? How long will that corn cob stay in your dog's stomach? A corn cob can stay in a dog's stomach for days, weeks, or even months, depending on the size of the corn cob they ate and the size of the dog.

Can dogs eat corn on the cob cooked? ›

Is Corn Good for Dogs? Raw corn and cooked corn are safe for dogs to eat, in small portions, in moderation, and always off the cob. Frozen corn can be a fun, crunchy food topper for dogs—just make sure to watch them as they eat it to ensure they don't choke.

Do dogs have trouble digesting corn? ›

Many veterinary nutritionists agree that corn for dogs is not a problem and in fact, can be part of a well-balanced diet. However, you should confirm that your dog is not allergic to corn prior to giving it to him.

Does my dog have intestinal blockage? ›

Diarrhea/difficulty defecating (pooping)/straining to defecate: A dog with a partial blockage may have diarrhea as liquid squeezes around the obstruction. If there is a complete blockage, the dog may try to defecate but won't be able to. Weight loss.

What can I give my dog to help pass a corn cob? ›

It is best that a vet handles it through an injection. Doing it yourself is life-threatening and can damage your friend's stomach and esophagus. If you don't want to induce vomiting or the time has passed, you shouldn't help your dog poop the corn cob.

How long does it take for dog to poop something out? ›

When something is ingested by your dog, it usually takes between 10-24 hours to move through the entire digestive tract. Some objects, however, can take much longer – even months! Sometimes, objects are too big to progress through the digestive tract, and when this is the case, they cause an obstruction.

What is cobbing dog? ›

Cobbing refers to the gentle nibbling behavior dogs exhibit towards humans, other dogs, or objects, using their front teeth. Unlike aggressive biting, cobbing is usually soft and affectionate.

Is corn hard to pass? ›

Foods such as corn often remain partially undigested. Corn has an outer shell made of an indigestible material called cellulose. The body digests the material inside of the corn and expels the hard outer casing into the stool. High fiber foods are beneficial for most people.

How long does corn take to fully digest? ›

Ideal. Between 24 and 36 hours is the about how soon you'd expect to see those kernels if your bowel is working well.

Why do dogs nibble like eating corn? ›

Grooming is inherently important to dogs, so when they are doing it for another dog or human, it's a sign of affection and love. She explained: "Sometimes we'll see animals doing this to themselves, maybe to itch something, but corn cobbing is essentially using the front teeth and grooming or nibbling on something."

What happens if a dog eats corn cobs but seems fine? ›

You would be therefor wise to monitor your dog for such signs as vomiting, lethargy, not eating, straining or abdominal pain and of course, consult your local vet without delay if you become concerned.

What to do if my dog ate a corn husk? ›

For corn husks, most dogs should be able to pass or vomit those up. If he cannot, you will want to look for any signs of anorexia (not eating), continued or chronic vomiting, absence of stool, abdominal pain, or increased thirst. If you notice any of these, a trip to Whiskee's regular veterinarian is advisable.

Can dogs eat tuna? ›

Can dogs have tuna? Yes, you can feed your dog canned tuna, as long as you do so in moderation and infrequently. Choose the version that's packed in fresh water instead of oil or salted water. Also check the label to make sure there is no extra salt added to the canned tuna.

Can animals digest corn? ›

Non-ruminants, including poultry and pigs, have simpler stomachs and shorter digestive tracts compared to ruminants. While they can digest grains like corn and soy to some extent, excessive consumption can lead to problems.

Can too much corn make a dog sick? ›

As with many foods, eating too much corn can make your dog sick because it's full of fibre. As you might know yourself, a bit of fibre is great for your gut, but too much can cause stomach ache and diarrhoea. The extra seasonings and spices we humans use to make corn taste great can also upset a dog's stomach.

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