While you don’t want to encourage begging at the dinner table, it’s hard to tell your dog no when he turns on the charm. Fruits and vegetables are a healthy treat you can often say yes to when your dog lovingly eyes your plate, and corn is a vegetable you can safely share. You’ll need to do so carefully, however.
Nutritional Value
Although the specifics change a bit based on the variety, corn is a nutritious grain and is often used in dog food. Corn is full of protein, antioxidants and vitamins. Corn also contains linoleic acid, a fatty acid that helps your dog maintain a healthy immune system as well as good skin and a healthy coat. Fiber is also found in corn and helps dogs maintain a healthy digestive system just as it does for people.
Precautions
If you do give your dog corn, give it to her before you add butter and salt. Butter adds unhealthy fats to your dog’s diet and too much salt can quickly lead to dehydration. Never give your dog corn that’s still on the cob. Dogs have a habit of eating parts of the cob, which can lead to serious intestinal blockages. If you suspect your dog got a hold of a corn cob, call your vet right away if he vomits, loses his appetite, develops diarrhea or behaves sluggishly.
A Word on Popcorn
Like corn, popcorn is an acceptable snack for your dog to enjoy upon occasion. If you’re going to share your popcorn, it’s best to do so before adding salt and butter to the snack. Always feed your dog popcorn pieces one at a time so you can make sure they’re popped. Your dog can’t digest unpopped kernels and may get an upset stomach if she eats them. Popcorn can stick in your dog’s teeth, so share it only if you have a regular dental care treatment regimen in place.
