Cornstarch seems harmless. It’s a common food ingredient.
For humans, it might not be dangerous.
But what if your pooch ate some accidentally?
Don’t panic.
Take a deep breath.
You’ll know what to do as you scroll down.
Keep reading to discover:
- 3 dangers of dogs eating cornstarch.
- Why pet brands use cornstarch in dog food.
- Other ways you can use cornstarch to your Fido.
- And much, much more…
Table of contents
Can dogs eat cornstarch?
Your dogs can eat cornstarch. As long as it’s only in small amounts. If your dog shows signs of discomfort after ingesting cornstarch. It’s best that you stop them from eating it anymore. Dogs can have allergic reactions to corn which is present in cornstarch.
Now let’s discuss this even further.
Is cornstarch safe for dogs to eat?
Generally, eating cornstarch isn’t harmful to dogs. It’s even an ingredient in some dog foods.
But cornstarch also has little to no value in terms of your Fido’s nutritional needs.
It’s only used as filler or to prevent the binding of your dog foods or dog treats.
But bear in mind…
Pooches with sensitive stomachs can react negatively to raw cornstarch.
They can only eat it when it’s cooked and mixed with their dog food.
Warning: Eating raw cornstarch can also irritate the eyes and nose of your doggos. That’s why it’s not recommended for your dogs to eat cornstarch from the box.
But dogs actually like the taste of cornstarch.
Some would even make dog treats and dog gravy out of them.
Just remember to always practice moderation when giving your pooches anything to eat.
Too much of something is always harmful.
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3 dangers when your dog eats (too much) cornstarch
#1: Allergies
Food allergies in dogs mostly come from the proteins they consume.
But they can also be triggered by carbohydrate sources like corn.
Yes, doggos can be allergic to corn.
And since cornstarch is a by-product of corn, it can also cause an allergic reaction if eaten by your Fidos.
Corn allergy doesn’t show up immediately.
Your dogs can eat corn growing up without any problem.
But it can be suddenly triggered when your pooch eats a food item containing traces of corn.
Some of the symptoms that come with corn allergy would immediately show up on their skin.
Here’s what you should watch out for:
- Hives.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Irritated skin.
- Constant licking.
- Rubbing of eyes and face.
If your doggos display these symptoms, it’s better to take them to a veterinarian to get checked.
And confirm if it’s indeed corn allergy.
Study shows that cornstarch is less likely to trigger corn allergy than cornflour.
But prevention is always better than cure.
#2: Health and sugar level
Cornstarch has high calories, carbohydrate contents, and glycemic index.
At the same time, its essential nutrients are very low.
Did you know?
Cornstarch has a higher glycemic index than corn. GI is the measurement of sugar in a product.
Cornstarch has a GI 97 while corn only has 52.
This is because the more you ground corn, the higher its sugar levels would be.
Cornstarch can spike up the blood sugar levels of your Fidos.
Moreover, its high caloric content doesn’t control obesity.
It even makes it worse.
As you know, eating too many carbohydrates, cholesterol, and sugar is not good for your pooch.
#3: Indigestion
Consuming too much food will always have a bad effect on your tummy.
Similarly, large amounts of cornstarch intake can result in your pooches having indigestion.
This causes your dogs to suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and gas.
As long as your pup is showing mild symptoms, there’s no reason to panic.
If your pup has indigestion, what you can do is wait it out.
In the meantime, don’t feed your pooch for a few hours.
And wait until all the undigested starch has gone out of your Fido’s digestive system.
Vetericyn also suggests that you give them ice chips.
Why?
Because too much vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration.
But too much water can also make the situation worse.
So substitute water for ice chips.
Give your pooch a bowl of them to chew on every few hours.
And if they can already keep it down, you can switch to small amounts of water.
100% canned pumpkin can also help remedy indigestion according to PetMD.
Its low glycemic index helps in relieving upset stomach and digestion.
Just make sure that you get 100% pure canned pumpkin.
Read the label. It should have no sugar added or other substances added.
However, if things get worse for your Fido…
It’s best to ask your local veterinarian for help.
Read Next: Top 9 Foods That Give Dogs Gas (Avoid #3 At All Times)
Can cornstarch kill a dog?
There are no records showing that cornstarch kills dogs.
It’s not as fatal as chocolates.
But too much of it is still dangerous.
If your pooches have diabetes, it’s not advisable to give them any cornstarch.
It’s also not recommended for dogs with pancreatitis and obesity.
These illnesses can be very dangerous to your dog’s health.
And eventually, it can cause the early death of your furry friend.
To stop this from happening, you can look for healthier food to feed your dog.
The substances found in cornstarch don’t do much for your Fidos diet.
Instead, you can consider some of these foods:
- Eggs.
- Yogurt.
- Carrots.
- Salmon.
- Chicken.
- Green beans.
Of course, dogs with corn allergies should also be careful with cornstarch.
A severe allergic reaction can cause your pooch to have difficulty in breathing.
And it would be deadly if not treated immediately.
Why do pet food brands use cornstarch in dog food?
Cornstarch is used in dog food as a filler and carbohydrate source.
It’s preferred by dog food makers because of its cheap calories.
But there’s also another reason…
Although dogs can be allergic to corn, it’s not a common allergy.
What’s more, cornstarch is the least corn by-product to trigger an allergy.
Plus, cornstarch also helps improve the texture of your pooches’ dog food.
That’s why most kibble companies mixed it in their recipe.
But cornstarch isn’t only used for commercial dog food.
There are also fur parents that use cornstarch in their homemade doggie food.
You can use cornstarch as a thickener for your Fido’s wet food.
This is recommended for those pooches that have a hard time eating tough meat or veggies.
Others also mix cornstarch with products like crunchy kibble, bone broth, or canned food.
They claim that their dogs eat these items better if they add cornstarch to them.
Is cornstarch safe for dogs’ skin?
Cornstarch is definitely safe to apply to your dog’s skin.
It poses no health concern. Instead, it has benefits.
Vetinfo suggests dusting your pooch with cornstarch to relieve dry skin and itchiness.
You can also add it to the bathwater to improve skin irritation.
If your dog has hotspots, you can also use cornstarch as a remedy.
Apply cornstarch 3-4 times a day to your Fido’s hotspot.
Or every time you see that it looks moist.
What does this do?
It helps with the itchiness and dries up the area.
Do this until the hotspot turns into a scab and heals.
Not only that, but cornstarch can also be used for dog grooming.
It can be a dry shampoo for your pooches.
How to apply cornstarch as dry shampoo:
Step 1: To start, put the cornstarch in a sprinkle container and get your dog brush.
Step 2: Brush your Fido’s fur against the grain to get the dirt away and loosen the hair.
Step 3: Sprinkle the cornstarch around your pooch’s coat. And rub it gently in their body.
Be sure that it goes to your dog’s skin, not only on the fur.
Step 4: Brush your Fido’s fur again. But this time, brush in the direction that it grows.
Do this until you get all the excess starch out.
Cornstarch will help absorb the excess oil and moisture in your dog’s skin and fur.
Making it smooth and silky.
You can also watch this video of dematting a doggo with cornstarch:
The usefulness of cornstarch doesn’t end there.
It can also be used as:
- Deodorizing agent.
- Tear stain remover.
- Stopping a nail bleed.
Note: Although useful, these methods may not apply to all dog conditions. Consult your veterinarian or a professional dog groomer if the issues persist.
Reading Tip: Revealed: 19 Dogs That Don’t Smell Or Shed
Overall, cornstarch is a very flexible item that you can use not only for your dogs but around the house as well.
So it would be good to have it in storage.
If you’re looking for some quality cornstarch, I recommend you try Rumford or Argo.
These products are affordable and highly rated on Amazon, so you’re sure of their quality.
Can dogs be allergic to cornstarch?
Dogs cannot be allergic to cornstarch. But they can be allergic to corn.
A study was conducted about food allergies in cats and dogs.
And it was found out that among 297 dogs in the study, 13 of them are allergic to corn.
Cornstarch as a corn by-product can trigger an allergic reaction.
Unfortunately, dog allergies cannot be determined easily.
Since dogs just like humans can be sensitized to their allergens.
Even now, no test can accurately diagnose food allergy in dogs.
The method that works the most is the dietary elimination trial.
It’s best if you consult with your veterinarian first before doing this test.
For dogs allergic to corn, a large intake of corn or corn products can trigger their allergy.