Although corn starch is available in a considerable number of varieties, are all these forms suitable for a dog’s consumption? As a pet owner, who would not want to ensure that their pup is provided with a nutritional diet?
Can dogs eat corn starch in general? Are you one of those looking for the answer to this frequently asked question nowadays? A straightforward answer to this question would be yes!
Dogs can eat corn starch as it is not only appropriate but also healthy and beneficial for them to consume. Nevertheless, if you still need some additional clearance on this nutritional question, feel free to thoroughly sail yourself through this article!
What Exactly is Corn Starch?
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Corn starch is a versatile food product that is obtained from the seed of corn kernels. It is primarily used as an anticaking agent, a food thickener, and a filler for baked food items, including dog treats.
In order to obtain corn starch, corn kernels are organized in such a way that their outer coverings are striated off while their seed is grounded to form a powdery substance.
However, is cornstarch safe for dogs? The answer to this question depends on numerous factors, such as whether your dog is allergic to corn or the form in which you prefer giving cornstarch to your dog.
Difference Between Powdered Corn Starch and Baked Corn Starch
Although original, powdered corn starch is non-toxic, it may present the risks of digestive complications or respiratory issues for your dog. On the other hand, when prepared in dehydrated or baked forms, corn starch can prove to be an excellent source of carbohydrates.
With that said, you should keep in mind that excess consumption of such dog treats may lead to cancer, obesity, and other heart-related complications in dogs.
Many pup parents also feel concerned regarding allergic reactions while feeding corn starch to their dogs. However, corn starch presents fewer allergic effects than cornflour, with less protein content and a higher carbohydrate ratio.
This means that occasionally feeding your dog with corn starch should not arise an issue. Still, if you notice any problems, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or itchiness, it would be best to consult with a veterinarian.
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Is CornStarch Safe for Dogs?
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Corn starch is commonly utilized as a filler for preparing dog meals. Nevertheless, the corn content in most dog treats should not be referred to as a filler as it contains a sizable portion of starch-based fibrous layers of corn in addition to its nutrient-dense capacity.
Although corn starch would not concern you if you add it to your dog’s diet, its compromised nutritional value does not make it an ideal choice for feeding your pup.
To achieve a balanced diet, it would be best to supplement dog foods with nutrient-rich products. While an extraordinarily little portion of corn starch is composed of protein, it can stimulate allergic reactions in a puppy.
Moreover, your pet dog may show signs of food allergies, even if he has been eating such products for years without any severe side effects. This is because the immune system of dogs becomes compromised each time and then finally reacts to the allergy-stimulating ingredient.
Possible Allergies Associated with Consumption of Corn Starch
The primary constituent of corn starch that is responsible for stimulating allergic reactions in puppies is called Zein, which is a protein. Your dog is likely to witness an allergy if he shows any of the following symptoms after consuming corn-based items.
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal Pain
- Frequent Eye Irritation
- Continuous Irritation
- Subsequent Self-Licking
Can Dogs Eat Corn Starch?
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Dogs do enjoy meals containing corn starch, just like any other meal. In fact, you can use them to lure your pet and teach him the basic commands in an exciting way! However, one thing that you must avoid at all times is feeding your pet with genuine, powdered corn starch.
If you observe your pup consuming pure corn starch, it may be due to Pica, which develops cravings in the dog’s mind to eat certain things. A wise approach would be to consult with your vet about your dog’s unexpected eating habits in such a condition.
Nutritional Value of Corn starch
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Although corn starch constitutes an excellent source of carbohydrates, particularly for dogs, it may not have the required amount of other essential nutrients, including fats, minerals, vitamins, fibers, and proteins. This means that most of the antioxidant and nutrition-based benefits that dogs normally obtain by consuming whole corn are unavailable in corn starch.
Whatsoever, as a pup parent, your primary goal should be to provide your pup with nutrient-enhanced foods instead of just stuffing their stomach with excessive food products. This way, you can ensure a strong and healthy lifestyle for your pet dog.
The following nutrients are present in one cup of corn starch (128 grams). It would help if you kept them in mind while considering feeding your dog with corn starch.
- Total Calories: 488
- Carbohydrate Content: 117g
- Protein Content: 0.3g
- Dietary Fiber: 1.2g
- Fat Content: 0.1g
- Total Vitamins: 0.5mg
- Total Minerals: 42.8 mg
- Water Value: 10.7 g
Conclusion
Can dogs eat corn starch? Indeed, you would know the answer to this question by now. Although your dog can eat this food variety, it does not offer a desirable nutritional value, which means that you can go for other alternatives. Still, you can feed it to your dog as an occasional dog treat!
Apart from that, corn starch has been known to be of great significance in dog grooming. This is because one can also use it as a dry shampoo to bathe their puppy and eliminate unnecessary oil from his body without utilizing water. Corn starch is normally added with baking soda to stimulate its deodorant effect. Doesn’t that sound fun?
