Summer is here, and your dog is most likely in gear to eat or gnaw that juicy looking corncob on the side of your dinner plate.
It's always hard to say no to your doggy, but unfortunately it's even harder for dogs to digest corncob.
Hopefully it's not too late and your dog hasn't already swallowed a corncob, but bad luck happens and sometimes we end up doing research when it's too late, so I won't go into too much detail about keeping your dog away from your corncobs.
If it's too late and your dog ate corncob, now all that you can do is act fast.
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Can Dogs Eat Corn?
This is a heavily contested subject, but in general, dogs can eat small amounts of corn. In fact, corn is used as an ingredient in most dog foods. What you should be aware of is that corn doesn't offer any significant nutritional value to your dog's diet.
In fact, it can be very hazardous - remember, corn is a product of human cultivation and is not a grain that dogs have evolved to digest. Many dogs are allergic to corn, and most dogs will at least get some pretty stinky gas if they eat it.
So while small doses of corn won't necessarily hurt your dog, it's definitely not the best substance to feed them. After all, your dog is a carnivore, not a cornivore.
What About The Cob?
- It's one thing if your dog eats a lot of corn and gets bad gas, but it's a whole other story if your furry friend inhales a giant cob.
- If you're worried about your dog eating a corn cob, I'll assume you've had corn on the cob yourself, and that you know it's nearly impossible to chew - I used to eat corn on the cob when my baby teeth were ready to come out so the tooth fairy would come sooner.
- Your dog's jaw may be stronger than yours, but it's still not strong enough to crush a corncob enough to digest it. A corncob may seem like a potentially good chew toy for a dog, but it's very dangerous, especially if she's chewing on a cob that is small enough for her to swallow.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats A Corncob
Maybe it's too late for you to take preventative measures, and your dog has already gulped the whole corncob. If this is the case, the following steps are absolutely essential:
Induce Vomiting
If your dog has recently ingested the corncob and he hasn't started showing any signs of discomfort, you can stop the problem in its tracks by making your dog throw it up.
In order to do this, you have to give your dog more undigestible material that will make him sick. I know it's not pleasant, but it's absolutely necessary.
There are several substances you can give your dog to make him throw up, but hydrogen peroxide is your best bet because it is effective and a common household item.
Give your dog a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide per ten pounds of his body weight. Keep an eye on him, he should vomit within half an hour.
Remember, your dog is not a human; do not attempt to stick your finger down his throat and do not give him syrup of ipecac.
See Your Vet
If you followed step 1 and your dog doesn't vomit, or if he does vomit but doesn't throw up the corncob, you need to go to the vet.
If your dog starts acting restless, he is likely in pain; if he's having diarrhea, it is clear that the corncob has caused him digestive problems. These are signs that you should take him to the vet.
If your dog is drooling, this means that the corncob might be stuck in her esophagus. Go to your vet immediately. If it's late in the evening, find your nearest emergency veterinarian. Your dog will likely need to get the corncob surgically removed.
Size Matters
- Keep in mind that smaller dog breeds have smaller digestive tracts and little chance of passing a corncob without help.
- If your dog is of a larger breed, you may get lucky and it might not be necessary to make a beeline for the emergency vet in the middle of the night, unless he's showing signs of discomfort.
- However, even if he seems to be comfortable, it's still important to keep an eye on him to make sure the corncob passes through his digestive tract.
- Regardless of your dog's size, if you catch him swallowing a corncob you should definitely induce vomiting or seek professional medical help.
Conclusion
Corncobs are impossible for dogs to digest, especially if they are part of a smaller breed. If your pooch has recently eaten a corncob, induce vomiting by giving him hydrogen peroxide.
If this doesn't work, or if your dog is restless, experiencing diarrhea or drooling, seek professional help immediately.
If your dog hasn't eaten a corncob and you're just doing your research, now you know that keeping corncobs away from your dog will save you a great amount of distress, money and potential heartbreak, and that it's always good to have some hydrogen peroxide on hand.