Corn Cobs Can Be Deadly for Dogs. What Every Dog Parent Needs to Know

Many dogs enjoy munching on corn, and it’s often found as an ingredient in many dog foods. It’s perfectly fine for dogs to consume with one exception – corn cobs.

Corn cobs pose a serious danger to dogs and can even threaten their lives. Unlike most vegetables, the cob can’t be digested or broken down in a dog’s stomach. Instead, many veterinarians note that corn cobs are one of the most common foreign bodies they remove from dogs. The cobs are also a leading cause of fatal bowel obstructions in dogs. If not removed early while still in the stomach, they can cause intestinal blockages that require expensive surgery.

Sadly, Dozer’s family discovered this the hard way after he ate one, but thankfully he got to the vet in time. New Ulm Regional Veterinary Center shared the warning on Facebook and wrote:

“Unfortunately, Dozer & his family learned the hard way that corn cobs aren’t safe for dogs – EVER. Despite how much you think your dog may chew a corn cob, it’s NEVER okay to feed these to them. Their body isn’t able to break down the corn cob & they get trapped in the intestines, resulting in a very sad, sick pooch that will likely require surgery.”

Thankfully, Dozer pulled through and recovered. A stray dog named Hope had a similar experience. She was rescued severely emaciated because of a corn cob blockage but thankfully recovered after surgery.

In the case of another dog, she was fortunate enough to be able to vomit out the cob. Dr. Greg Martinez shared an informative video of him helping the beagle and walking through the steps involved in her treatment.

He noted, “If the object is in the intestine and vomiting doesn’t work… surgery is needed.”

Despite these warnings about the dangers of corn cobs, dog parents shouldn’t be dissuaded from letting their dogs enjoy corn on the cob. It just means it’s best done while supervised. That way, your dog can still enjoy the tasty snack, and you can rest easy knowing they haven’t eaten the cob!

Many veterinarians warn that dogs will often hunt out leftover corn on the cob from the trash or steal them off of counters. They suggest securely disposing of corn cobs so dogs can’t sniff them out and get into trouble.

Signs To Look Out For

If you’re not sure whether your dog has eaten a corn cob, they will likely (but not always) begin to show symptoms of a blockage within a short time. These symptoms may include:

– vomiting
– lethargic, listlessness
– abdominal tenderness or pain
– lack of appetite (although it should be noted some dogs continue regularly eating)
– trouble defecating, constipation
– behavioral changes such as biting or growling when picked up

What To Do If Your Dog Has Eaten A Cob

If you fear your dog has eaten corn on the cob, you should contact your vet (or emergency vet) as soon as possible. Time is of the essence. If you get to the vet early enough, they may be able to induce vomiting or pump the stomach to remove the cob. This is a safer and less expensive option compared to emergency surgery. Usually, X-rays will be necessary to determine where the cob is lodged.