Corn is a grain that grows in the United States and Canada. It has become a common ingredient in cat food because it provides essential nutrients like protein and fat.
It’s regularly used in commercially available cat foods as a filler ingredient.
Corn is safe for cats to consume, but it can cause digestive problems if fed too much or mixed into their regular diet.
That being said, we’ll be discussing how much is too much and what kind of digestive issues corn can cause in our fur babies.
Withstanding the above, we’ll be discussing whether cats can eat corn kernels from the cob, and if you should add these to their regular diet. So, if you want to find out more, keep on reading!
Are Corn Kernels Safe For Cats?
It makes sense that because corn is used as a filler in most cat foods available, your cat is most definitely already eating corn.
You might not have known it, but if you feed your cat cat food, then it is likely that they have been eating corn this whole time.
If you’re wondering about the safety of feeding your cat corn, then you need to know that there are two types of corn: whole kernel and processed.
Whole kernel corn is just that – the entire corn kernel. Processed corn has been stripped of its germ and endosperm (the white part).
The only difference between the two is that the complete kernel corn contains more fiber than processed corn.
This means that when your cat eats entire kernel corn, they will get some extra fiber along with all the other benefits of eating this type of corn. Whereas if they eat processed corn, they are getting slightly fewer nutrients.
Which Corn Snacks Are Suitable For Cats?
The general rule of thumb around feeding your cat corn snacks is that the more plainly they’re prepared, the better.
This means that many corn snacks are simply out of the question. This isn’t because of the corn itself but all the added ingredients like salt, butter, and milk.
Corn Chips
Whilst corn chips are a popular snack for humans, these should be kept out of your feline friend’s snacking sessions.
The corn part (however small) isn’t really the issue with snacks like corn chips, but the added ingredients like spices, cheeses, and preservatives.
These ingredients aren’t good for your cat’s digestion, so they shouldn’t be included in their meals.
Sweet Corn
Sweet corn that has been grilled or boiled and removed from the cob is the best option if you want to incorporate corn into your cat’s diet.
Because it’s fresh and not processed, it’ll retain its nutritional value. It’s important to give it to them plain, as this won’t cause any digestive problems.
Cornbread/Tortillas
These sorts of breads, in fact breads of any kind, should be given a miss when considering what to feed your cat.
This is mainly because they’re devoid of any nutrients suitable for your cat, and also because they have the tendency to expand in the stomach.
When this happens, it can lead to serious intestinal blockages.
Corn On The Cob
As mentioned earlier, corn on the cob is another great option. If your cat likes to munch on things like ears of corn, then by all means let them do so.
However, don’t allow them to eat the whole thing at once. Instead, cut off a piece every now and again. This way, your cat will still enjoy the taste without having to worry about getting indigestion.
Corn Meal
Although corn meal is often mixed with other ingredients to make pet food, it’s actually quite safe for cats.
There are no additives or preservatives in corn meal, which means it’s free from harmful chemicals.
It’s also easy to digest, meaning it doesn’t require much time to break down before being absorbed by the body.
If you’re looking for something a little different, consider giving your cat cornmeal instead of dry kibble.
You could even mix it with some canned tuna!
Which Foods Should I Avoid Giving My Cat Altogether?
When you compare giving your cat corn as a snack with other snacks like dehydrated chicken breast, it’s a no-brainer that the latter is a better option.
That being said, there are certain foods which you should definitely not feed your cat. Whilst they’re safe for us humans to eat, they’re potentially life-threatening for your fur baby. These foods include:
Grapes/raisins
Chocolate
Coffee
Garlic and onions
Bread dough containing yeast
Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit
Peanuts and peanut products
Avocados
Egg yolk
Milk and dairy products
Sesame seeds
Nuts and nut products
Honey
What Foods Should Be In A Cat’s Diet?
Whilst we’ve discussed corn as a viable food to feed your cat, it’s important to note that this cannot be their main source of food.
Cats are hyper carnivorous creatures, which means they absolutely must be fed meat to stay healthy. Meat should make up a good portion of your cat’s daily food intake, along with foods like fish.
This being said, it’s essential to get the balance right, and most commercially available wet and dry cat food does contain some vegetables, grains, and fruits.
In Summary
If you’re looking for some tasty treats to add to your cat’s menu, then look no further than corn. However, keep in mind that they need to be properly prepared.
You’ll want to remove the husk first, and then boil the kernels. Once cooked, you’ll want to cool them down before feeding them to your feline friend, and should be served plain.
They shouldn’t be combined with other ingredients, such as cheese, garlic, or onion.
Remember that even though corn is relatively healthy for cats, they may still get indigestion from eating too much of it. So, try to limit how much they consume.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
