Dog Community

Which is worse: Corn or wheat?

Posted : 12/12/2006 5:18:52 PM

Both are suspected allergens in dogs (and cats), according to many. But which is worse? Or better, which of the two causes more problems? Are more dogs allergic to corn, as opposed to wheat, or is the opposite true?

Seems like the higher up one goes in food quality, the less likely wheat makes an appearance. Corn and corn gluten meal are in some upper-level foods (or foods that try to be upper-level). Does this mean wheat is worse, or is corn just cheaper for the manufacturers?

ron2

Posted : 12/12/2006 5:25:28 PM

One vet site I visited pointed out that wheat, and specifically barley are more common allergens than corn.

sooner

Posted : 12/12/2006 6:27:59 PM

ORIGINAL: Roxie865

Seems like the higher up one goes in food quality, the less likely wheat makes an appearance. Corn and corn gluten meal are in some upper-level foods (or foods that try to be upper-level). Does this mean wheat is worse, or is corn just cheaper for the manufacturers?

I don't know which is 'worse', but I think you see corn in more foods because it has some benefits. Wheat is just another grain.

Rick B

Posted : 12/12/2006 6:57:52 PM

Both are suspected allergens in dogs (and cats), according to many. But which is worse?

ORIGINAL: Roxie865

People and dogs can have difficulty digesting (utilizing) something without being allergic. Milk is an example.

sooner

Posted : 12/12/2006 7:01:28 PM

Dakota is right - food sensitivities and food allergies are different. Allergies involve the immune system and are fairly rare.

sallya

Posted : 12/12/2006 7:50:21 PM

Depends on the dog I think. Trudy can't have either. She itches with both.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 12/12/2006 8:34:35 PM

I don't feed either, but I'd have to say wheat, because it's a gluten grain.

dyan

Posted : 12/12/2006 8:44:59 PM

I think corn is a good ingredient as long as its not a major ingredient.

Luvntzus

Posted : 12/12/2006 9:22:06 PM

I think wheat is the more common allergen. I don't like corn because it's usually present as "gluten meal". To my knowledge gluten is not healthy for dogs or people.

Margaret Tyler

Posted : 12/12/2006 10:37:38 PM

ORIGINAL: ron2

One vet site I visited pointed out that wheat, and specifically barley are more common allergens than corn.

Yep. Joey is allergic to wheat. He gets bad ear infections when he consumes too much. We'll see what happens in a few days, seeing as he ate a bag of my Grandma's Christmas cookies she sent me. My husband left her box that came in the mail on the floor. Jeoy wripped into them and ate the snow ball cookies.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 12/12/2006 10:39:38 PM

I don't like corn because it's usually present as "gluten meal".

I forgot about corn gluten meal!

Hmmm... corn meal is used in "gluten free" products. I'll have to read up on that. I'm not gluten free, but the dogs are, and I'd like to be. I'd love to look as good as they do[

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corvus

Posted : 12/13/2006 2:23:26 AM

I dunno, but I have strong reservations about corn. To me, it's a mightily unnatural grain in the first place. I figure, if my rabbits don't really want to eat it, then what's my dog doing eating it? That's just my corn prejudices speaking, though. [

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dyan

Posted : 12/13/2006 4:23:22 PM

Oh no, not another CORN conversation! LOL!

Okay, here we go again....
Whole ground corn is 99% digestable. It is an excellent souce of energy and one of the best natural sources of Omega 6 fatty acids. It RARELY causes allergies. This is from Eagle Pack brochure.
So used in moderate amounts it is a good and nutritional ingredient.

Corn Gluten from Eagle Pack brochure: Meat tends to be high in ash and magnesium which may cause crystals in a small percentage of animals. Corn gluten and rice gluten are two protein concentrates that are low in ash and magnesium and thus help to reduce crystals.

Albert Townshend DVM writes: "Food allergy is rare; other causes of GI and/or dematologic sign are more common and some may also respond (for nonallergeric reasons) to dietary manipulation. There are two types of unpleasant reactions to food. The first is an immunologic reaction (a true food allergy). The second is a nonimmunologic reaction (what is termed a food intolerance). Food intolerance are much more common. Allergic reactions do occur to corn, however, depending on the research cited, corn is not thought to be a very common allergen. At least not as high on the list as soybeans, beef, wheat, eggs or dairy products. Even rice has been found to cause allergic reactions in a rare few animals."

I personally rotate formulas of Eagle Pack and I DO make sure to use the NATURAL formula to include corn in Bubblegums diet.

jenns

Posted : 12/13/2006 6:34:56 PM

ORIGINAL: corvus

I dunno, but I have strong reservations about corn. To me, it's a mightily unnatural grain in the first place. I figure, if my rabbits don't really want to eat it, then what's my dog doing eating it? That's just my corn prejudices speaking, though. []

Yup, corn is not a natural food for anybody - it is completely a human invention that started from a wild grass and does not even exist in the wild, nor can it grow or reproduce without human invention. Not to say it's bad, I sure eat my share of it [

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dyan

Posted : 12/13/2006 6:54:04 PM

nor can it grow or reproduce without human invention.

But can peas? Green beans? squash? etc? I mean,,,I have grown corn for quite a few years when I lived in a home that had a couple of acres....other then PLANTING, it was the only thing I did to grow corn to eat. And I planted tomotoe plants,,,beans,,,turnips..etc. etc.

Not to say it's bad, I sure eat my share of it

Yeah, its my two sons and dhs favorite veggie. I can not go a holiday meal without making corn for my sons to put over mashed potatoes.!!!!