Corn Cobs A Hidden Danger for Dogs

I have a dog that loves to chew so I am always looking for new things to keep her entertained. At a recent family barbeque, I thought it was a great idea when one of the kids tossed her a corn cob to chew on.

[Image1 Ginger chewing corn cobs]
She loved it. And I thought it was so cute, I even took pictures. Ginger seemed to enjoy chewing the corn cob almost more than her fresh bones. Maybe it was the slightly soft texture, or the combination of bits of roasted corn with butter still clinging to the cob. I thought I had found a new treat that would keep Ginger entertained and satisfy her chewing desire.

To be safe, I spoke with my vet about corn cobs and was shocked to find out that they pose a very serious danger to dogs. Corn cobs are not only a choking hazard, but they can also cause severe intestinal obstructions or blockages.

[Image2 STOP! Don't let your dog chew corn cobs!]
The corn cob does not break down in the intestine and can be very difficult, if not impossible, for your dog to pass if they swallow any of it. You may think your dog cannot swallow a large corn cob, but they chew off pieces quite easily. These undigestible pieces of cob are what present the real danger.

[Image3 The corn cob I removed from Ginger, note the small piece she could have ingested- leading to a possbile intestinal blockage]
Small pieces of corn cob can build up in the intestines causing an obstruction. If you think that your dog may have eaten a corn cob, it is best to take them to the vet to get checked out. My vet has also recommended these warning signs that may indicate an intestinal blockage or obstruction:


Not all of these symptoms may be present. In fact there are stories of dogs showing no symptoms until they were quite unwell.

Tips to help keep your pet safe:

#dogs
#pet_care
#feeding

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