Corn or maize is a starchy cereal grain eaten in many countries either as a vegetable or cereal. You can eat sweet or baby corn or as a cereal grain, which can be cooked or ground and used to make cornmeal, cornbread, porridge, polenta, tortillas, tamales, tacos, among others dishes.
Usually, when used as a vegetable, it is harvested while its kernel is still tender, and its endosperm is still in its milk stage.
Maize also makes breakfast cereals such as corn flakes, and some varieties make popcorns besides it industrial and use in making animal feeds.
Finally, the common varieties include dent, flint, pod, flour, sweet, and popcorns.
Is it good and safe for cats to eat corn?
A good number of dry foods, including popular brands such as Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food, 9Lives Dry Cat Food, Meow Mix Tender Centers Dry Cat Food, and Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Kitten Food have corn.
On the other hand, brands like Purina beyond Grain Free, Natural, Adult Dry Cat Food, Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts in Gravy Wet Cat Food Tray Variety Packs, Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, and Natural Adult Dry Cat Food, Chicken are grain-free, or have no corn. Does this mean that corn is bad or not?
There is no problem with a cat eating corn. It is safe and ok for these pets. However, feed them moderation.
They will love it as well as polenta (porridge) or cornmeal made from coarse maize flour just as they would like wheat berries, brown rice, barley, et cetera. Furthermore, it a common ingredient in many commercial feline diets, where it may serve as a filler or owing to its nutritive values.
Maize has small amounts of fats and protein, including small amounts of most of the amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, especially vitamins B and C. However, it has high amounts of carbohydrates, something that should be low in natural feline diets.
Also, kitties find it hard to properly utilize the various nutrients found in plant food sources even if they are nutritious because they are strict carnivores, unlike dogs or omnivores with a short digestive tract.
Therefore, as a rule of thumb, cats should be given small quantities of corn as an occasional snack or treat, and it should not be part of their diet even if they seem to like it.
Excessive amounts may lead to indigestion, stomach upsets, diarrhea, or your cat may even vomit.
Could it cause allergies?
Maize can be a source of feline allergies that may result in diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upsets, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and itchy skin, paw chewing, and so on, notes AvoDerm.
Other common causes of food allergies to these pets include artificial colorings, meat by-products, preservatives, seafood, and dairy products.
Consequently, if your feline has never eaten any commercial cat with corn before, try with a small amount and see how their immune will respond.
Can cats eat sweetcorn or con on the cob?
Cooked sweetcorn, especially corn on the cob, is ok for your feline. However, it has to be soft to make eating much more manageable.
Raw soft ones are not bad, but will your felines like them? What about dried ones? Dried ones will be cumbersome and difficult to eat. Furthermore, the presence of kernels that have not popped may present choking and teeth problems.
Otherwise, it is safe for your cat to eat corn on the cob and not the cob itself since it may result in indigestion problems.
No corn chips, tacos or bread
Avoid corn chips or nuts, tacos, tortillas, fried kernels, or any food made from maize that has garlic, onions, or other seasonings that may be harmful to these pets. Only give them if they are plain, including plain popcorns as a treat.
Garlic and onions are poisonous, while excessive salt may lead to sodium poisoning, increased thirst, urination, and affect cats with heart or kidney diseases.
Corn gluten meal in cat food
Corn gluten meal is not bad for cats. It is a dried protein source that has predominantly zein and glutelin that has noting with gluten found in wheat products associated with some allergies.
Although it is considered a protein source as states IAMS, some corn bran, grit, or ground ones are often added to cat foods for as a filler, especially in dry feline foods because they are cheaper than meat.
However, it is not bad or any good since it is not still a natural part of these pet’s diets.
Hill’s Pets supports its use by noting that:
- It is a source of carb that is very easy to digest
- It has some fatty acids your kitties need for a glowing coat and a healthy skin
- It has antioxidants, including vitamin E, beta-carotene, and lutein.
- It is a source of amino acids (from proteins) required for energy production, tissue formation, and so on.
Since cat foods have balanced nutrients, you do not need to worry about the corn in cat foods unless your feline has allergy issues.
However, ensure it is not the main ingredient since such foods will be of low quality and may lead to malnutrition and digestion problems.
Conclusion
Besides protein, fats, and proteins, maize has iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc, as well as Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and C.
Unless found in commercial feline diets, give these pets only a small amount, and it should not replace recommended cat foods.