By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Corn is one of those foods cats are rarely excited about, yet the question comes up often. Sometimes a cat licks kernels off a dropped plate. Sometimes an owner notices corn on the ingredient list of their cat's dry food and wonders whether that is a bad sign. And sometimes the worry is about a leafy houseplant labelled "corn plant". These are three very different situations.
Key takeaways
- Plain, cooked sweet corn kernels are not toxic to cats. A few kernels are unlikely to cause more than a mild tummy upset.
- Cats are obligate carnivores, so corn adds little to their diet beyond carbohydrate and fibre.
- Corn and corn products are common ingredients in commercial dry cat foods. Cornell notes dry foods may contain grain or grain byproducts.
- Buttered, salted or creamed corn is richer and saltier and more likely to upset a cat.
- Corn cobs are on the RSPCA list of foods that are harmful to cats because they can cause blockages.
- The houseplant sold as "corn plant" (Dracaena fragrans) is not sweet corn. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats.
- Related reading: toxic and safe plants for pets, food allergies in cats.
Plain corn kernels
If your cat ate a few plain cooked kernels, there is usually no need to worry. The RSPCA says cats may be offered a small amount of finely cut vegetable matter, but also reminds owners that cats cannot use plant foods the way dogs can. Whole kernels have a tough skin and often pass through largely undigested, so you may see them again in the litter tray.
There is no need to add corn to your cat's diet. If you do share a kernel or two, keep it plain and count it as a treat. Cornell suggests treats should not exceed 10 to 15 percent of a cat's daily calories.
Corn in cat food
Owners often see maize, corn gluten meal or ground corn on cat food labels. Cornell's feeding guide notes that dry cat foods may include grain or grain byproducts. A complete and balanced food is formulated as a whole, so a corn ingredient does not make a diet unsafe. If your cat has suspected food allergies or a sensitive stomach, talk with your vet about a proper diet trial rather than cutting out ingredients at random.
Corn dishes that are riskier
- Buttered corn on the cob. Butter and salt add fat and sodium, and the cob itself is a blockage risk.
- Creamed corn. Contains cream or milk, and Cornell notes that many cats are lactose intolerant.
- Corn fritters, chowders and salsas. Often contain onion, garlic or chives. Merck Veterinary Manual describes cats as the species most susceptible to garlic and onion toxicity.
- Popcorn. Unpopped kernels can damage teeth, and flavoured popcorn is salty and buttery.
The "corn plant" houseplant
The name causes real confusion. The ASPCA plant database lists corn plant (Dracaena fragrans, also called cornstalk plant and dragon tree) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses because it contains saponins. Signs listed include vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, loss of appetite, drooling and, in cats, dilated pupils. If your cat chewed a dracaena, that is a reason to call your vet.
Signs to watch for
After plain kernels, most cats are fine. If something does go wrong, look for:
- vomiting or soft stool
- gas or a gurgly tummy
- belly pain, repeated vomiting or straining (possible cob or foreign body)
- drooling, vomiting and dilated pupils after chewing a corn plant
- lethargy or pale gums in the days after a dish containing onion or garlic
When it is an emergency
Call your vet or an emergency clinic straight away if your cat:
- swallowed any piece of corn cob
- chewed a corn plant (dracaena) and is drooling or vomiting
- ate a corn dish with onion, garlic or chives
- vomits repeatedly, will not eat or seems painful
The Animal Poisons Helpline is on 1300 869 738. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.
How vets help
Your vet will ask what form of corn your cat ate, or which plant it chewed. Bring a photo of the plant or dish. Plain kernels usually only need monitoring. A suspected cob or foreign body may need X-rays or ultrasound. Plant and allium exposures are treated according to signs and timing, as decided by the examining vet.
Prevention
- Keep cobs and leftovers out of reach and bin them in a lidded bin.
- Check houseplant labels before buying. Choose plants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic.
- Keep creamed and buttered corn dishes covered.
FAQ
Is corn bad for cats?
Plain corn kernels are not toxic. They are simply not very useful for an obligate carnivore.
Is corn in cat food a filler?
Corn can supply energy and some protein in a balanced recipe. What matters most is that the food is complete and balanced for your cat's life stage.
Can cats be allergic to corn?
Food allergies in cats are possible, but your vet is the best person to investigate them with an elimination diet.
My cat chewed my corn plant. Is that the same as eating corn?
No. The corn plant houseplant is a dracaena, which the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats. Call your vet.
Talk with a vet
If you are not sure whether your cat ate corn, a cob or a corn plant, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you sort out the risk. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants. Corn Plant.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline | 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.