Don’t Ever Give Your Dog Corn On The Cob - Here’s Why

Jul 26, 2018 by apost team

Anyone who owns a dog knows that they usually aren’t picky when it comes to what they eat. Throw them some scraps and they will eat them without hesitation. They certainly don’t understand the consequences of what they eat, either! Whatever falls on the floor is just a major treat to them. Food makes them happy!

All dog owners should research what is good and what isn’t when it comes to what they feed their dog. There are certain types of food that dogs should never, ever eat.

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Most dog owners are well aware that they should not feed chocolate to their dogs, as one example. However, another item is topping the list of what not to feed your pooch. Why? It can mess up your dog’s system, making them ill or even killing them.

Many dogs love it because they can chew on the cob for hours. However, it can cause major complications if they get their paws on a piece.

The kernels themselves are not the problem unless your doggy has a rare allergy to corn. The cob itself is what poses the biggest risk to your dog if he or she eats large pieces of it.

The cob is indigestible and can quickly cause internal obstruction in a dog if they swallow it. The shape of the cob also poses a problem.

These obstructions can kill your pet if you don’t act quickly. Joanne Palmer learned this the sad way.

Joanne posted on social media after she lost her beloved canine when the dog ate a piece of a corn cob while on a walk last year. The post, that went viral, told of how Joanne had no idea something was wrong until her dog began to violently vomit a week later.

The family vet thought it was a case of food poisoning at first. However, toxicology reports showed that the core of the cob had gone down through her intestines “like a cheese grater.” It cut up her intestines, causing severe septicemia, which was fatal in this case.

Palmer wants owners to be aware of the risks, especially those with smaller dogs. They can easily find and swallow pieces of corn cobs that they come across in fields or in the garbage.

Dr. Rebecca Ashman, a senior veterinarian, says that these cases can happen more often than people think. She says that while the dog can have emergency surgery, it can be very dangerous for them.

Ashman wants to warn owners to keep their pups away from corn on the cob. This is especially important as we are in the middle of BBQ season, where the delectable vegetable is a staple around many homes. Your dog could easily get into the garbage and grab a cob to chew on.

What should you do if your pup does swallow a piece of corn cob?

If you have any reason to suspect that your canine friend has eaten a piece of corn cob, do not hesitate to call your veterinarian. If you cannot get ahold of them, contact your closest 24-hour animal hospital at once.

It isn’t always easy to tell if your dog actually ate a piece of corn cob unless you saw them do so. Luckily, there are a few signs to watch out for, such as:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Dry heaving
• Lethargy
• Pain in the abdomen
• Lack of appetite

We want all of our canine friends to live long and happy lives. Now you know just how dangerous corn on the cob can be for your furry companion!

Help others by spreading the word about the dangers of corn cobs and dogs. Let us know in the comments if you have ever had an issue with your dog!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!