Corn gluten meal is one of the most widely-used ingredients in pet food, yet can lead to serious food allergies and health concerns for dogs.
Protein meal is a low-cost source of protein and binder used commonly in dog food as an inexpensive source.
Contents
What is Corn Gluten Meal?
Corn gluten meal is a protein-rich byproduct of corn wet milling. To produce it, corn kernels must first be separated into individual components to remove starch, germ and bran before corn gluten meal can be produced.
This process resembles how cereal grains are ground into wheat flour or rice flour for human consumption, providing an inexpensive source of protein for pet food, although not of superior quality due to lacking essential amino acids that animals require for healthy living.
Therefore, it is vital that your canine receives regular doses of meat or fish-based proteins in their diet.
Search for food with easily digestible grains like oatmeal or rice to complete their diet, such as Purina Pro Plan’s formula which does not include corn, soy or wheat products.
However, if your dog has difficulty digesting grains or is allergic to corn gluten meal, then selecting a gluten-free food product would be best. There are plenty of excellent dry dog foods on the market without corn gluten meal as options.
Why is Corn Gluten Meal in Dog Food?
Corn gluten meal is an inexpensive source of protein in pet food, serving both as an additive and as an adhesive binder.
Corn gluten is created when corn kernels are ground to remove their germ, starch and bran for protein extraction – creating a concentrated source of nutrition similar to barley, wheat, oats or rye.
Protein is a combination of essential amino acids essential to the health and wellbeing of your pet. Lysine, cysteine and methionine found in protein help acidify urine for dogs suffering from kidney problems.
An excess of corn gluten meal can trigger allergies in some dogs over time, leading to inflammation, digestive problems, weight loss and silica stones in dogs.
As such, some pet owners are wary of corn gluten meal’s presence in their pets’ diets and are anxious about its presence in corn gluten protein meal’s formulations. To ease such concerns, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approved changing its name from “corn gluten meal” to “corn gluten protein meal”.
Is Corn Gluten Meal Good for Dogs?
Corn is one of the world’s leading cereal crops and an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. However, some marketing claims have given corn an unfavorable reputation.
Dogs cannot digest grains like corn unless they’ve first been processed into meal or flour and cooked, which can cause digestive issues and health problems for their owners.
As such, it’s vital that your pet receives a high-quality diet rich in whole grains like rice, oats, barley, potatoes and sweet potatoes in an appropriate balance to support healthy digestion.
Assuring that the remaining food contains an assortment of proteins from meat, eggs and other sources will provide your dog with essential amino acids for optimal body functioning.
Corn gluten meal is a by-product of corn processing that may be present in low-quality dog foods as an inexpensive protein source, so it’s wise to read labels closely when selecting foods for your pup. Consult your veterinarian first if considering changes to his or her diet.
Is Corn Gluten Meal Bad for Dogs?
Corn gluten meal does not necessarily pose any threat to dogs; in fact, it can provide valuable proteins and amino acids.
Corn gluten meal may not provide your dog with as complete an amino acid profile as meat- or egg-based proteins, as well as being lower in 10 essential amino acids that they require for healthy living.
To provide optimal nutrition to your pet, look for food with meat-based proteins or combinations of meat, fish and poultry as their primary components. Beware of food containing BHA/BHT preservatives which have been linked with cancer, asthma and other ailments.
Finally, ensure your dog’s diet includes essential vitamins and minerals for good health. Check the ingredient panel to look for balanced sources of nutrition like omega fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants.
