Q: Is corn bad for toy breeds??

Jul 28, 2009

As many others have already stated, corn is a primary allergen, as well as providing nothing terribly useful nutritionally. Additionally, for tiny breeds like Yorkies and Chihuahuas, I am concerned about corn and other carbohydrate content in many commercial diets and what it does to tiny puppy blood sugar. Finally, corn can cause digestive upset and has been implicated as an immune supressant. All good reasons to stay away from foods containing corn. And wheat is almost as problematic. And, contrary to another poster's suggestion, Eukanuba/Iams are NOT good products, and are generally chock full of corn, wheat, low grade meat waste (byproducts). And Nutro, another suggested brand, is certainly better than Eukanuba/Iams, but is really not much of a superior brand these days. Above all else, read ingredients, not necessarily brand names and sales propaganda. Feel free to read my journal entries for more of my nutrition input.

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Jul 22, 2009

With so many holistic diets out there why would you want to feed a food with corn, it is just put in there as a filler and has no nutritional values and is not good for any breed.

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Jul 22, 2009

I've been told that it's just a filler.

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Jul 22, 2009

the most common issue associated with feeding dogs corn is that it is a common allergen. it is not truly unhealthy, beyond the fact that it doesn't provide them with any useful nutrition which you already know. i am not aware of it causing any specific problems in yorkies. the most important thing is to feed your yorkie a good quality food made with real ingredients, not a bunch of meals and by-products and fillers. ask your vet for some recommendations, or at least read the list of ingredients on the bag. look for the first ingredients to be things like chicken, beef, lamb, etc. Eukanuba/Iams and Nutro are both good quality and reasonably priced. There are several other brands which are even better, but much more expensive.

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Jul 21, 2009

I've read that many dogs, especially terriers, are allergic to corn...so I think it depends on the individual. I'd still try to avoid it as much as possible as it really has no nutritional value (like you said).

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Jul 21, 2009

generally, you'll want to stay away from corn no matter what the breed is. it goes right through them, leaving their bellies empty and hungry. though i've never heard of corn being unhealthy for small dogs, i've also never owner a small dog and therefore haven't bothered researching much. but i could understand if corn were binding for their intestines. small dogs, small intestines, right?

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