Since dogs cannot understand their health needs pet parents are always in search of healthy food options for their dogs.
While doing so, you will likely come across corn gluten meal in dog food. So before you get confused here’s the truth about corn gluten meal in dog food.
Corn gluten meal is a safe ingredient. It contains 70% protein and is also an excellent source of methionine and cysteine.
And hence is often combined with meat meals or plant proteins in dog foods.
But there are few things to know before introducing corn gluten meal in a dog’s diet.
So here’s all that pet parents should know about corn gluten meal, its benefits, and side effects on dogs.
Contents
The Truth About Corn Gluten Meal in Dog Food
Corn Gluten meal is basically a natural byproduct of the wet milling process used to produce corn starch and corn syrup.
It is created by removing starch, bran, and germ from the corn kernel to create a protein-rich ingredient. It is further added to dog food for its exceptional health benefits.
Hence, it is mostly added in meat meals like chicken, lamb, or plant-based protein to balance the protein content.
But the fun fact about corn gluten is that it has no true gluten. It just has corn proteins that are often beneficial for pets when consumed in an adequate amount.
And due to a lack of research till now, we are not yet completely sure if it’s fit for dogs with gluten intolerance. You can consult your vet if your dog is intolerant to gluten.
Each dog has a different biological need, and so it is essential to have customized meals that dogs can digest better.
But that does not necessarily mean you make a new meal each day. You just need to be extra careful with the protein content and other ingredients used in processed foods that you buy for your dog.
Is Corn Gluten Meal Good for my Dog?
If your pooch is healthy with no allergies or sickness, a corn gluten meal could be an excellent source of protein. As per AKC “Corn gluten meal is also not as digestible for dogs as normal, cooked corn.” Here are a few reasons why corn gluten meal is good for dogs.
Higher Protein Content
Corn gluten meal contains 60 to 70% protein and is a pretty good source of amino acid as well.
This keeps dogs active throughout the day and improves their immune system.
It also contains some amount of antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene.
Easy Digestion
Corn gluten meal is easy to digest, which makes digesting various nutrients combined with it as well easy.
It has a similar protein-boosting capacity to true gluten and hence is a pretty good supplement to meal meals and vegetarian diets for dogs.
Prevents Bladder stone
Bladder stones in dogs can be very painful. And some amount of corn gluten meal when combined with animal meals or plant-based protein can prevent bladder stones in a dog.
The methionine and cysteine present in corn gluten meal, is beneficial in preventing and treating bladder stones in dogs.
So if you are investing in meat meals with corn gluten, it is advisable to check the amount of meat and corn gluten meal included in it.
Corn allergies are most common in dogs, and a higher amount of corn gluten meal can lead to health issues.
To help you understand why you should be more specific about the proportion of corn gluten meal in a dog’s diet are the risks associated with higher consumption of corn gluten in dogs.
Here are the most common health problems associated with corn gluten meals.
Risks Associated with Overfeeding Corn Gluten Meal
You don’t want your pooch to develop any allergies or have health issues and so it mandatory as a pet parent to focus on his diet, and as of now how much you feed corn gluten meal is extremely important.
There are certain risks of feeding corn gluten meals to your dog in a higher proportion.
Corn Allergy
Corn has amazing benefits for dogs’ health as it has essential fatty acids.
But overfeeding dogs corn gluten meal for a longer duration can develop severe allergies to corn.
This can also lead to skin problems and so it is essential to feed an adequate amount of corn gluten meals to dogs.
Protein Deficiency
Although corn gluten meal contains a good amount of protein, it is not a complete alternative to a meat or a protein-based diet.
Meat meals and protein-based diets are often combined with corn gluten meal to bind the kibble together which makes food more appealing and crunchy.
Low Amino Acids
It has a lower amount of essential amino acids compared to meat meals that dogs need for a healthy life.
Lower amino acids in dogs can lead to severe health issues.
Hence, it is advisable to feed corn gluten meal in a combination with animal meals or plant protein-based meals to keep your dogs healthy.
But finding high-quality Dog food is extremely essential.
Dog Food With Corn Gluten Meal
To make it easier for you to find food with corn gluten meal here we have dog foods that you can include in your dog’s diet.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
The Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food contains corn gluten meal in an adequate amount in combination with lamb meal and other healthy ingredients that your dog needs.
It has small kibbles that are easier to digest and provides high-quality protein to maintain lean muscles in dogs.
It also improves the dog’s immune system, skin, and coat so that your dog stays fit and healthy.
An adequate amount of corn gluten meal prevents bladder stones in dogs and hence is one of the best high-quality meals you can include in your dog’s diet.
Purina ONE SmartBlend Dry Dog Food
Purina ONE SmartBlend Dry Dog Food is one of the most preferred dog food brands worldwide for its high-quality dog food.
This, in particular, is a corn gluten meal with turkey and venison as the primary ingredient. Not only it enhances the taste but promotes better health for dogs.
The balanced protein content helps support strong muscles, corn gluten meal prevents bladder stones, while the lamb meal improves skin and coat.
All in all, this is one of the best dog food with corn gluten meal that you can include in your dog’s diet.
FAQs About Corn Gluten Meals
Is corn gluten meal toxic to dogs?
Not really, when consumed as a supplement to animal protein or plant-based protein in an adequate amount. Overfeeding corn gluten meal to your dog can lead to corn allergy that can affect the skin and coat of dogs.
Is corn gluten meal a by-product?
Yes, corn gluten meal is a by-product of maize starch by the wet-milling process. It contains a pretty good amount of protein and hence is not harmful to dogs and other domestic animals when consumed in an adequate amount.
Is corn gluten meal a filler?
Corn gluten meal is not a filler, since fillers do not have nutritional value for dogs or any pets. According to AKC ”Corn gluten meal is a fraction of the corn kernel that remains after the starch, fiber, and most of the germ have been removed.” Corn gluten meals have a high amount of protein and some specific amino acids that are good for a dog’s health. So corn gluten meal cannot be considered as a filler.
What are the benefits of corn gluten meal for dogs?
Corn gluten meal when consumed in adequate amounts and in combination with animal proteins or plant-based proteins by dogs is easy to digest, improves skin health, and prevents bladder stones in dogs.
Final Words
Now that you know the truth about corn gluten meals in dog food, we hope it is easier for you to plan your dog’s diet that is rich in proteins, nutrients, and vitamins.
You just need to make sure corn gluten meal is combined with healthy animal-based protein or plant protein like the products mentioned above for increased health benefits.
Resources:
- Understanding Animal-Based Proteins in Dog Foods. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2022, from IAMS.
- Evaluation of the clinical and allergen specific serum immunoglobulin E responses to oral challenge with cornstarch, corn, soy and a soy hydrolysate diet in dogs with spontaneous food allergy. (n.d.).Retrieved November 23, 2022, from Wiley Online Library.
- Olivry, T. (2018, June 27). Cornstarch is less allergenic than corn flour in dogs and cats previously sensitized to corn – BMC Veterinary Research.
Julia is a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist, practicing veterinarian in a non-profit animal hospital and feline sanctuary located in Rochester, NY. She is also a full-time veterinary advisor at DogLikesBest. She focuses on writing healthcare-related topics including dog foods, treats, veterinary diets, food for specific healthcare features, etc. Moreover, any article on DogNeedsBest that has to concern feline health in any way, goes under her scrutiny before being published.
