Some places on the internet say that corn is just a cheap filler for dog food, or that it doesn't belong in a dog's bowl at all. But some high-quality dog food contains corn. So what's the truth about corn?
All grains are generally divided into two groups - with gluten and gluten-free. Those with gluten commonly found in dog food include wheat, oats, barley and rye. Gluten is a protein that causes adverse reactions in dogs just as in humans, both autoimmune (Crohn's disease) and allergies.
The second, gluten-free group of grains is much better tolerated and it includes corn, as well as millet, rice and sorghum. Corn is therefore a valuable and nutritious component in pet food.
In addition to highly digestible carbohydrates, it also contains proteins, essential amino acids, Omega 6 fatty acids, starches, fats and other beneficial substances such as vitamin A, B-complex and fiber. It also contains antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin E, lutein and others, as well as minerals such as zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, copper and manganese.
Many authors have already shown that corn causes allergies as often as rice. This is why corn and rice can be found in hypoallergenic feed. However, this doesn't mean that it cannot cause an adverse reaction. Just as different people may be hypersensitive to different foods, some dogs may not tolerate rice or corn well. However, this is very unlikely.
Some may argue that dogs cannot digest the amount of starch found in corn, but we must not forget that today's dogs are much different from wolves, and this also applies to their digestive tract. They produce more enzymes that break down starch.
As you can see, corn is an important source of energy for dogs, and it's full of nutrients needed for their healthy life. It should therefore not be considered a mere filler. What's your experience with corn? Does the kibble you give your pets contain corn?
When one says a mini breed, most of you will immediately think of a Chihuahua. And it’s not surprising, its the smallest dog breed in the world. They are popular abroad as well as in the Czech Republic and they are often picked by people whose desire...
The Ragdoll, a cat which reminds you of a dog with its behaviour, was in the top three favourite breeds among keepers in 2017. At the worldwide scale, it is on the second place, right after the Maine Coon. The Ragdoll is a very cuddly pet which is into...
Cats have always been regarded as mystical animals with many mysteries. One of them might be the question why these creatures like sitting in a circle so much.
You might be asking why should a cat learn to walk on a leash in the first place? It doesn’t mean you should go hiking with your cat. However, a short walk might be a great adventure for your cat. And you can’t do that without a leash, especially in a...
Keeping an eye on the weight no longer concerns only us, the two-legged creatures. Vets deal with overweight and obese pets more and more often. Most often, it applies to dogs and cats, but even rodents can easily suffer from obesity. How to prevent...
Toxins are accumulated in body during winter and spring is therefore the best season for detoxification. Everything awakens and people purify their bodies so why shouldn’t we involve our closest companions to it?
The fact that it’s no problem to go for a journey across the whole continent (or even the whole world) together with your pet is well-known to the owners of three cat travellers – Bengal cat Suki, courageous cat Wilow and fearless tom cat Simon. They...
One of my New Year’s resolutions this year was to be more active. A dog is a great companion for an active life. What is a healthy level of exercising with a dog?
These portions seem so small, shouldn’t I give my dog more? And should the dry food be dipped or not? And how many times a day should I feed my dog? And should I supplement the food by something? When should we switch to adult dog food? This is only a...
Do you know how to properly behave with your furry friends in national parks and protected nature areas? Are you sick of all the trash in city parks? And are you considering what you should do to be a more eco-friendly dog owner? You can also...
Siberian Husky is an amazing dog breed. It is a very active dog. Agile, strong and distinctive. That’s why many mushers use them to pull their sledges. It is said that all dogs who like pulling are suitable for a dog sled, but a Siberian Husky really...
Domestic cats don’t go outside as often as dogs and you have to prepare them for travelling. However, they won’t avoid visiting a vet or travelling to a cottage from time to time.
