Can dogs eat corn cobs?

Most dogs enjoy chewing on and even consuming corn cobs, but they are very dangerous and should not be fed to dogs. Dogs cannot digest the cob, which can cause intestinal obstructions.

Signs of intestinal obstruction in dogs include lethargy, painful abdomen, vomiting and diarrhea.

Dogs are usually attracted to corn cobs because of the residue of salt, butter and sweet corn left behind on the cob. After swallowing chunks of the cob, it tries to pass through the digestive tract. Some larger dogs can pass pieces of cob uneventfully, but other dogs develop obstructions or even perforations from the indigestible material.