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REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY
Dr. Karyn Kanowski
BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian)
The information provided aligns with the most recent research conducted by veterinarians.
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Cornstarch is a frequently utilized ingredient in cooking and baking, predominantly for thickening casseroles or soups. It serves as an excellent source of fiber and is often included in many dog foods as a better alternative for dogs with gluten or wheat sensitivities. While it’s unlikely that even the most voracious dogs would be interested in consuming cornstarch on its own, it’s not advisable for dogs to consume excessive amounts of it. However, as an additive to a canine diet, it is very safe, if not recommended.
Understanding Cornstarch
Even though cornstarch is closely related to corn flour and cornmeal, which are derived from the entire corn kernel, it is a more refined product. Cornstarch is solely obtained from the endosperm of the kernel without the tough outer coating, resulting in a powdery texture that is highly absorbent.
Cornstarch is a common component in numerous dog foods, serving as a cost-effective additive to provide structure and mass. Most commercial dog foods contain some form of bulking agent; without it, the food would have an unappetizing, clumpy texture. While wheat, oats, and barley flour are commonly used in commercial dog foods, cornmeal, corn flour, and cornstarch are more prevalent in foods formulated to be low in allergens.
Is Cornstarch Safe for Dogs?
When used as a standard additive in dog food, yes, it is absolutely safe. While the exact proportion of cereals (grains, flour, etc.) may vary from one food to another, all commercial diets must adhere to regulations concerning content and labeling, ensuring they do not exceed the recommended daily allowance of these ingredients. Cheaper or lower-quality foods may approach the upper limit of these allowances but will never surpass a safe amount. It’s important to be cautious when opting for dog foods with higher cereal content as they can contribute to weight gain.
If you opt to prepare your dog’s food at home, the necessity for a thickening or bulking agent is generally less, and ingredients like rice and vegetables are typically used to offer carbohydrates and fiber rather than cereals and grains.
There has been a recent trend to avoid wheat, flour, and grains in dog food. As human awareness of wheat intolerances has increased, there has been a shift away from using cereals in dog foods to meet consumer preferences. However, much of the negative publicity is unwarranted. While some dogs may have wheat sensitivities, they are uncommon; most dog food allergies stem from the protein ingredients rather than wheat.
There is a misperception that ingredients such as cornstarch are merely “cheap fillers.” While cornstarch may be an inexpensive ingredient used to add volume to dog food, when appropriately proportioned, it serves as a necessary component, providing fiber and carbohydrates.
Benefits of Cornstarch
As mentioned earlier, there is a growing awareness of wheat intolerances in both the general populace and in dogs. Corn serves as a readily available and budget-friendly substitute for wheat. Notably, cornstarch, milled without the tough exterior shell, has been found to elicit a reduced allergenic response in dogs and cats sensitive to corn, making it a suitable ingredient for hypoallergenic diets.
Cornstarch offers essential fiber and carbohydrates in an economical, low-allergen manner.
Alternatives to Cornstarch
If you prefer to avoid cornstarch or any cereal-based ingredient, you should ensure your dog’s food includes a reliable source of fiber and carbohydrates. Brown rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and green beans are excellent fresh ingredients. However, if you are seeking a direct substitute for cornstarch, tapioca flour or potato starch offer similar attributes (such as thickening) for dogs with documented corn allergies.
Final Considerations
Cereals and grains have somewhat declined in popularity in dog foods recently, yet not necessarily for valid reasons. Generally, dog foods necessitate some form of “filler” that provides fiber and carbohydrates, and cornstarch serves as one such ingredient. The fact that they are cost-effective and contribute bulk to food doesn’t automatically imply they are shortcuts for dog food manufacturers to boost quantity with subpar ingredients.
Wheat allergies are uncommon in dogs, and corn allergies are even rarer. Cornstarch serves as an excellent and affordable source of carbohydrates and fiber in commercial dog foods and should be considered entirely safe in this context. It has been observed to not elicit any allergic response in dogs with corn allergies, suggesting that it could be used as a cost-effective additive in low-allergen dog foods.
Sources
- https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-018-1538-5
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/corn-in-dog-food-what-you-need-to-know/
- https://www.hillspet.com/pet-care/nutrition-feeding/benefits-of-corn-in-pet-foods?lightboxfired=true#
Featured Image Credit: Yuri Tynyankin, Shutterstock
