Can dogs have corn muffins? Like many other food items common among humans, corn muffins are safe but only in moderation.
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Nothing in corn muffins can be inherently bad for your dog’s health, but the food doesn’t carry any significant nutritional value either. Therefore, it is best to feed the muffins in moderation to your dog to keep their health in check.
There are also certain factors that you must consider before feeding corn muffins to your dog. Many dogs can also be allergic to wheat and suffer after having corn muffins, even in moderation. Thus, it is essential to consult your vet about feeding your pup.
Read on to learn more on whether your dog should eat corn muffins or stick to his regular treats.
Corn Muffins and Your Dog
Dog owners love to spoil their furry friends now and then, and the best way to make them happy is to give them tasty treats. Talking about treats, corn muffin is a good one!
However, every dog parent is concerned to learn about the ingredients and nutritional value of the food they want to feed to their little friend. It is not only understandable but also appreciated that you care so much about your dog, so, let’s head over to learn a bit about corn muffins first.
What is corn muffin made from?
The primary ingredient added to corn muffin is Cornbread, which is made of wheat, flour, milk, eggs, baking powder, salt, cornmeal, and sugar. Cornbread has about 16g of sugar per 100g (about 4 to 5 teaspoons), but it can vary depending on how it’s made.
All the ingredients of a typical corn muffin are a green flag to give the treat to your dog. However, things tend to get unsafe when hot peppers, butter, scallions, etc., are added to the muffin.
Most of these ingredients are found in flavored muffins found in the market. If you make corn muffins at your home for your dog, avoid adding these ingredients, and we believe you and your dog are good to have the treats.
So, can your dog eat corn muffins?
Yes, but in limited quantities.
The answer is in moderation. Corn is not a natural part of a dog’s diet, but cornmeal has been used as a filler for a dog for many years. Since cornmeal is added to the Cornbread, the main ingredient used for baking corn muffins, we can say that it is on the safe side for your dog to have it.
Corn is a good source of antioxidants, vitamin E, carbohydrates, protein, omega-6 fatty acids, amino acids, and to an extent, fiber. However, the nutritional value of Cornbread is not very high, and thus, apart from adding taste to your dog’s tongue, it doesn’t add much to their health.
However, the bottom line is that your dog can eat corn muffins in moderation.
Still, it is recommended to check the list of ingredients and avoid the usage of peppers, scallions, salt, sugar, garlic, pepperoni, butter, onions, sausage, chilies, etc. However, you can add various herbs, like parsley and basil, and cheese to the mixture to enhance the taste for your dog without having to compromise their health.
It is also recommended to avoid buying the product from the market and prepare it independently. If you have no option but buy the muffin, then make sure to purchase dog-friendly ones.
Are there side effects of giving corn muffins to your dog?
Cornbread will not have any major side effects unless fed in excess.
If you are feeding Cornbread or muffin to your dog in moderation and trim pieces, we think there is hardly a chance of him dealing with any side effects.
In case your dog has swallowed big pieces of muffins, you should monitor him and look for gastronomical issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, gulping, loss of appetite, etc.
If your dog has a wheat allergy, it is best to avoid giving him the food at all. If you do not know about the allergy and your dog exhibits a skin rash or itching, it might be because wheat doesn’t suit him. Weight gain, sore throat, ear infection, etc., can also be the visible signs of wheat allergy.
If any of the above problems occur after your dog swallows a big piece of cornbread muffin, we believe that you should pay a visit to the vet along with your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cornbread hurt my dog?
Unlikely, unless you feed it in excess or the dog has an allergy to wheat.
Cornbread can only cause trouble for your dog if you feed him big pieces in a large amount. You must feed Cornbread to your dog in moderation and small amounts, or else it can lead to stomach issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, and more.
Wheat allergy can also develop an itchy rash on your furry friend’s skin after he eats cornbread or corn muffin. So, yes, if not taken in moderation, Cornbread can hurt your dog.
Can I give my dog corn cakes?
Yes, again in moderation.
You can give corn cakes to your dog in moderation. However, you must check the ingredients before feeding your pup with the same. High sugar levels can lead to obesity and other health issues in your dog.
The store-bought food also has chemicals and additives which can make your dog sick. Thus, making corn meals and cakes at home is advised to give your dog a healthy corn-cake experience.
Most corn cakes are neither too harmful nor too healthy for dogs. However, if your dog is allergic to it, it is best to avoid feeding it to them.
Are ritz crackers okay for dogs?
No, they are not very healthy.
Ritz crackers add unnecessary fat to your dog’s body. However, if you plan to give the treat to them in moderation, say less than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, it will not have a long-term effect on your pup’s health.
If given in excess, Ritz crackers can lead to stomach issues in your dog, including pancreatitis, inflammation, or stomach pain.
Can dogs have cheese?
Again, in moderation.
Yes, dogs can have cheese. Cheese is a rich source of protein, calcium, fatty acids, Vitamin A, etc. Thus, it is pretty healthy for your furry friend. Many trainers use it as a treat to motivate the dogs to perform better. However, cheeses high in fat or with mold should be avoided.
You can also feed medicines to your pup by keeping them in the middle of the cheese. However, there is also a chance that your dog might be intolerant to cheese and thus, cannot have it.
Final Words
The bottom line is that if your dog is not allergic to wheat, you may or may not give corn muffins to him. It should be used as a ‘sometimes’ food for your furry friend to bring the taste to his tongue but prioritize his health first.
Thank you for reading, we hope we covered all the details. Other foods that you should watch out for include shredded wheat and grapes. Do read all about them and more on our website.