Can Dogs Eat Corn Puffs? Are They Safe for Dogs?

Introduction

Not to be confused with puffcorn, corn puffs are snacks made from this grain that lots of people enjoy, especially on the weekends while watching a game or a movie. But can dogs eat corn puffs?

Are these snacks likely to be safe for this species, or should you go out of your way to prevent your dog from getting access to them? Find out the answer and more below!

Are Corn Puffs Good for Dogs?

No

As short and concise as the answer to the question might seem to you, the fact is that corn puffs aren’t even healthy for humans, let alone dogs. 

Unfortunately, they have lots of other ingredients besides the corn itself, and all of them make corn puffs, some of the worst snacks that anyone or their pet can have. But we will go into more detail on that in the next section. 

Even though some manufacturing brands try to make, their corn puffs a little healthier by adding nutrients such as vitamins and minerals to their recipes, that still doesn’t make them good for you or your dog. 

tasty corn puffs

Are Corn Puffs Bad for Dogs?

Digestive distress

Dogs do not do well when eating corn. And if you know something about this species, it’s probably the fact that dogs can’t properly digest grains. That means that corn and wheat are the worst and that even oats might cause some problems.

If your dog has a huge amount of corn puffs, the most likely symptoms that they will show are bloating, vomiting, gas, diarrhea, and sometimes even abdominal pain.

Bad additives

To be shelf-stable for so long, corn puffs have to contain some shady ingredients such as preservatives. Artificial colors and flavors are added to the mix, and all of these things are known to cause long-term effects on pets’ and humans’ bodies. 

If your dog has corn puffs on a regular basis, they might develop a form of cancer in their senior years. Naturally, there are other possible causes, but the corn puffs themselves might be one. 

Artificial sweeteners

These days, there’s a variety of corn puffs that are actually sweet. But the problem with that since obesity is now a worldwide disease, manufacturers sometimes have to utilize a mix of typical sugar and artificial sweeteners so as to lower the calorie number of their snacks. 

Xylitol, one of these sweeteners, along with sorbitol and other substances, can be so dangerous to dogs that it can put their lives in danger. 

Sodium

Cheese corn puffs or any other savory variety contain too much salt. And while the quantity might not be too risky for people, the same does not apply to dogs. 

Small breeds should have as little sodium in their diets as possible. There’s already some salt in their kibble or canned food, so there’s no point in adding any extra by giving your dog corn puffs or other such snacks. 

How Many Corn Puffs Can My Dog Eat?

Ideally, none. However, if you give one to your pup just to see how they react, they’re probably not going to experience any symptoms, especially if they are otherwise healthy and they’re also a large breed. 

However, corn puffs should not be looked at as dog food or even dog snacks. They have plenty of potentially risky ingredients, so try to keep your kitchen cabinets well-locked or just out of your dog’s reach. 

What to Do If Your Dog Ate a Lot of Corn Puffs

The best piece of advice we have for you in this situation would be for you to take your pet to the vet clinic as soon as possible. 

Depending on what the label says the corn puffs contain, your veterinarian might have to flush out your dog’s stomach contents so as to prevent the ingredients from ending up in your pet’s blood flow. This is particularly necessary if the corn puffs contain artificial sweeteners. 

dog eating corn puffs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat sweet corn puffs?

No. Even if the recipe does not contain any xylitol, your dog really doesn’t need the extra sugar, especially if they are at risk of developing obesity or diabetes. Most pets are overweight these days because of a lack of exercise, so don’t give your dog sweet corn puffs.

Can dogs have corn pops cereal?

No. This cereal also has a large amount of sugar, even though the recipe might have been changed a couple of years ago. Besides sugar and sodium, this product also contains plenty of fat and additives. 

Can dogs have Gerber puffs?

These are actually different from corn puffs altogether as they are made of wheat. The vanilla flavor, whose label we looked at, doesn’t have any xylitol, but it still contains starch and cane sugar, so it’s not appropriate for dogs.

Can dogs eat cheese puffs?

The answer to this question is also no. Cheese puffs contain saturated fat and trans fat, making them unsafe for dogs in general. Another reason to forego this snack altogether would be the sodium content (254mg in 28 grams of the product) and the sugar in it.

Can a dog eat a Cheeto puff?

No. Not only do Cheetos have too many calories and fat, but they also contain a ridiculously high amount of sodium, which can cause cardiovascular imbalances (high blood pressure and even a risk of a heart attack). Do not give your dog Cheeto puffs.

Summary

So, can dogs eat corn puffs? No. Try to keep them away from your dog even when having house parties or get-togethers. Instruct the people that visit with you to avoid giving your dog any human snacks, no matter how harmless they might seem. 

Ask your vet for more information about what you are supposed to feed your dog for a healthy and balanced diet. 

Sources

  1. Effect of sorbitol, single, and multidose activated charcoal administration on carprofen absorption following experimental overdose in dogs, Amy M. Koenigshof et al, 2015
  2. Xylitol toxicosis in dogs: An update, Lisa A. Murphy et al, 2018

Leave a Comment

2 comments
Cristina Vulpe

Cristina Vulpe

As a veterinarian and a cat guardian, Cristina Vulpe holds a Ph.D. in veterinary oncology. She loves writing about feline pathology, parasitology, and infectious diseases, but she also cares deeply about animal nutrition and welfare. When she isn't writing, you can always find her in the company of her cat and a good book.
Iasi, Romania