Why Is Corn on the Cob Harmful for Pets?

Indigestible corn cobs frequently cause life-threatening intestinal blockages, perforations, and peritonitis in dogs and rabbits as they do not break down during digestion. Symptoms start with vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy, and bloat within hours, often requiring costly emergency surgery (success rate drops if delayed). Kernels carry risks of aflatoxins from mold, severely damaging livers and causing jaundice or failure. Never feed cobs or whole corn; cooked, plain kernels only in moderation (under 10% diet to avoid ear infections from starch). Applies mainly to dogs and rabbits; monitor strictly and induce vomiting if cob ingested.