Corn Free Foods for Dog

The food you give your dog will have a significant effect on his energy level, alertness and overall well being.



Hence pet owners should not make compromises on the dietary requirements of their pets. Choosing the right type of dog food may sometimes become difficult due to the vast numbers of brand and products that are flooding the market today. The aim should be to provide your dog with a diet that is healthy and balanced and which contains proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and fat.

Just as humans suffer from allergies to certain foods, dogs too may display oversensitivity to some of the ingredients contained in dog food. Corn is an ingredient that is contained in many common dog foods. However a dog can suffer various health problems due to ingestion of corn and corn products such as corn grits, corn bran, corn mean, corn gluten meal and ground corn.



Corn products such as corn meal are generally added to pet food as fillers so that the product achieves the desired level of heaviness and bulk. However, the digestive system of a dog may be unable to properly digest the product due to the thick and starchy texture of the corn. As a result the dog does not derive any nutritional benefit from the meal. Corn is also rich in carbohydrates and therefore it can interfere with the functioning of the liver and pancreas in sugar regulation. This can contribute to illnesses such as pancreatitis, diabetes, liver disease and obesity in dogs. Aflatocin fungus is present in corn which can be very harmful for dogs. It is fatal for humans as well. It affects the liver and in some cases, can also cause death. This is why it is advisable for pet owners to opt for corn free dog food.

Many dogs may also experience allergic reactions to corn. Symptoms of such reactions may include irritation of the skin, ear infections, bloating, inflammation of the kidneys and liver, head tremors, hair loss, hyperthyroidism and heart diseases. Moles and warts may also develop on the skin and deafness can occur. Dog foods that do not contain corn are also usually gluten free dog food and are rich in protein. When purchasing dog food, it is important to read the labels and examine the three ingredients that are listed first. These ingredients comprise of 75 per cent of the content of the food and as such are the most important.