Can dogs eat corn on the cob?
Risky. The kernels are fine. The cob is one of the classic causes of intestinal obstruction in dogs.
How much is dangerous?
No dose applies. A single cob, or a piece of one, is the whole risk. Sweet corn kernels are a common ingredient in commercial dog food and are digested normally.
Why it does harm
Mechanical. A cob does not break down in the gut and is close to the worst possible size and shape to pass through a dog’s intestine, so it lodges. Surgery is often the only way to remove it.
What to look for
- Repeated vomiting, especially after eating or drinking
- Loss of appetite
- Straining without producing stool
- Abdominal pain and lethargy
What to do
- Call your vet straight away if a cob was swallowed, even if the dog seems fine. Obstruction takes time to declare itself.
- Do not wait to see whether it passes. By the time it is obvious, it is usually surgery.