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?
Choosing the right dog food is a beginning and the end of caring for your pet dog. We, as dog lovers, also know that quality dog food is not only positive for the health but also for the overall well-being of the animal. When choosing the dog food,...
Do you have any favourite books you would recommend your friends to read? Are any books about pets among those? Today, I will share with you the names of six books about dogs any animal lover shouldn’t miss in my opinion.
Who didn’t want an animal companion as a child? Keeping pets can be valuable experience for children. An animal companion also brings a lot of joy to the household. But taking care of a pet also brings many duties and responsibility. How to choose...
“You look so sad, you’re definitely hungry, here you are.” This is the sentence I often hear when my dog shows one of its dog faces. And he deserves “little something to eat” doing it before I even manage to do anything against that. To feed a dog...
Do you like travelling? And do you like travelling by plane? You don’t have to leave your dog or cat at home during your holidays. Some airlines allow small pets on the board if they are in a crate. What other conditions you have to meet?
We, as cat lovers, can’t get enough of cats and that’s why we also like to read books about them. Look at some of them you shouldn’t really miss.
Miniature dog breeds have specific requirements for nutrition and care in general. Their physical development is much faster. Besides from their subtle composition of body and jaws, it is therefore also necessary to take into account their fast...
It would probably entirely unnecessary to describe the appearance of the German Shepherd. Probably everyone, even non-dog-lovers, have seen the German series Inspector Rex.
Getting a cat doesn’t mean only buying a cat toilet, bowls, a bed and a couple of toys. You also have to realise that the animal will also need certain care and count with this already before getting it. Each breed has its own specifics. While some are...
The Persian longhairs have most likely descended from the Turkish Angoras, were bred in England at the end of the 19th century. Since then, they have undergone great changes, and today they have a much more compact body in comparison to the original...
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a dog, with which you will definitely won’t get bored. The owners say that it’s often a great adventure with them. They are mesmerising animals and they definitely can’t deny their wolf ancestors. What is typical for all...
Do you take your dog or cat regularly on trips and holidays across the Czech Republic? Is travelling with your dog or cat fun for you and not a horror? Have you got a destination in mind, where you’d like to stay for longer or you’re even planning a...
