“Corn is a filler. It has no nutritional value. Corn is not digestible.”
I’m sure most of you have heard something like this at one time or another.
While recently attending a health seminar by pet food manufacturer, WellPet, Dr. Al Townshend took some time to explain the often-stereotyped stigmas associated with corn. I found this quite interesting because in the animal health-food community, corn is universally seen as a wasteful ingredient. This isn’t necessarily the case – I will explain.
Dr. Al, one of the nicest people you will ever meet
Myth #1: Corn is filler.
Well, raw corn is filler. In fact, raw corn only has about 54% digestibility – which is quite poor. The type of corn found in entry-level animal health foods is ground up to a paste-like consistency – which is more than 90% digestible, making corn one of the most highly digestible grains available.
Myth #2: Many dogs are allergic to corn.
Almost every “hypo-allergenic” dog food on the market will boast in big words “NO CORN, WHEAT OR SOY”. While many dogs with allergies (or food intolerances, to use the correct term since “allergies” are to proteins) will have issues with wheat and soy, corn is unfairly grouped in the same category.
A recent nutritional study (as mentioned by Dr. Al Townshend, a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine, author, and staff veterinarian for WellPet) measured the most common allergic ingredients for dogs.
In fact, this was the largest study of its kind ever conducted – and the results were surprising. Contrary to popular belief, corn was not mentioned as a top allergen. Corn ranked so low, it was not even listed on the chart.
So why does corn get such a bad rap? It seems the whole anti-corn agenda started years ago when pet food manufacturers wanted to create a niche product, and eliminated corn from their food – citing that corn is a low-quality ingredient that causes allergies.
..like the kid who always gets picked last for dodge ball..
I wanted to write about corn today – not because I think corn should be in all healthy pet foods, or because I believe corn makes a pet food healthier. I wanted to write about corn because I believe in education. I believe in information and the empowerment one can feel when they truly understand what they’re passionate about – having a happy and healthy pet.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences!
Well, this is very interesting and I’m sure true on a lot of parts. But if you look at the case studies on my website, there are literally hundreds if not thousands of felines developing food allergies, IBD, pancreatitis, fatty liver, diabetes, etc. due to grains and one of the main culprits is corn. It may in fact be that they’re using raw corn, but either way, there are too many cats getting painful and life threatening illnesses due to food products. Mine was one of them and you’re right. I believe in education also. Which is why I started my website. Take a look at the case studies in my Living with IBD section, http://www.ibdkitties.net
Thanks for the comment, Lisa!
Through my research and personal experience, I’ve noticed a lot of the same things you have as well – which is why I find these different perspectives on corn so fascinating.
Great website btw!
Thank you Brandon, I appreciate it! The other thing is that cats are obligate carnivores. MEAT is their main source of protein through the thousands of years of genetics. If they run to a corn field when they’re hungry it’s only to eat the mouse that’s inhabiting the field. Pre-digested grains are suitable and natural for their diet as they’ll eat most of the mouse’s organs. My cats have a motto, “I’m a carnivore NOT a cornivore”. Brandon, I’m curious as to what you mean by your experience. Have you had a cat with these issues yourself? If so, let me say how sorry I am. It’s truly becoming an epidemic in our animals.
I haven’t had any issues with any of my 3 cats – but they also eat grain-free good.
I have had many clients whose cats have had health issues due to a variety of reasons, but certain grains seem to be frequent catalysts.
Switching to raw, or grain-free diets often shows positive results after 6-8 weeks.
Glad to hear you only feed grain free! I also only feed my two cats grain free and sometimes raw if they’ll eat it. They’re super picky and I try many tricks so we’ll see. A little is better than nothing. Are you a vet? Have you looked at the case studies on my site?
I am not a Vet – I am a pet health professional, specializing in pet nutrition.
I’ve looked at your site a few times actually, I love the content – very informative and well written
Thank you Brandon! I appreciate it very much and feel free to pass the site’s address on to some of your clients if you like. Do you have a website for your services? Feel free to write me at info@ibdkitties.net and maybe we could discuss some things about what’s been happening with nutrition and some of the problem you’re seeing. I’d love to hear your take on the things you’re seeing as a pet nutritionist!
I’ve already recommended your site to a few colleagues of mine
I’d love to share information!
very cool! Thanks so much, I appreciate it. shoot me an email at that address when you have time. We can converse and share some info and stories. I’m always glad to meet new people that have a passion for pets’ well being. When you write, maybe we can touch on the onset of pancreatitis, kidney disease and fatty liver happening! It’s really getting scary how sick these animals are becoming.
Hey Brandon and anyone else! Check out my guest blog that was just pubished this afternoon on onlynaturalpets.com! http://onlynaturalpetblog.com/2010/09/10/988/.
Lisa
[...] sure by now you’ve seen a gaggle of pet products marketed as “hypoallergenic – no corn, wheat or soy”. Why are these ingredients regularly labeled as the evil super-villains of [...]