Download Corn Ingredients and Their Use in Iams® and Eukanuba® Foods

Technical Bulletin No. 6R
Corn Ingredients and Their Use
in Iams® and Eukanuba® Foods
Corn Ingredients
Glycemic Response and Corn
Corn is used as an ingredient in many pet foods. It is included
in various forms, such as ground corn, corn meal, corn grits,
corn gluten meal, and corn bran.
Corn generally results in a lower glycemic and insulin response
than rice. This can be especially beneficial for overweight,
mature adult, and senior pets.
• Ground corn or corn meal is whole grain corn that is finely
chopped and ground.
• Corn grits originate from the portion of ground corn that
contains little fiber and protein and contribute primarily
carbohydrates to the pet’s diet. When included in dry foods,
corn grits contribute to kibble shape and texture and may be
included in some feline formulas where lower magnesium
levels are desired.
• Corn bran is the outer coating of the corn kernel and is
largely fiber.
• Corn gluten meal is a dried protein source. It remains after
the corn’s bran has been separated and removed and a large
portion of the carbohydrate and oil have been removed. Corn
gluten meal is not as digestible as high-quality animal protein
ingredients and is deficient in the essential amino acids lysine
and tryptophan.
Corn in Iams and Eukanuba Products
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Food Allergies and Corn
Dogs can develop allergies to any ingredient in their food, but
most commonly to a protein source. The problem develops not
because the food or ingredient is “bad” or “poor quality,” but
rather because the dog has a hypersensitive immune system. Of
the many dogs that regularly eat a food containing corn, only a
few will ever develop an allergic response to it. Corn accounts
for less than 3% of all food allergies in dogs.1
Application
When properly processed, corn is highly digestible and
provides high-quality carbohydrates for essential energy.
References
1 Roudebush, P. (2002). Ingredients associated with adverse food reactions in dogs and
cats. Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, 15(9), 1-2.
It is more appropriate to associate the corn used in Iams® and
Eukanuba® products with “corn bread” rather than “corn on
the cob.” The difference is similar to cooked corn versus raw
corn. Only high quality corn is used in Iams® and Eukanuba®
products. The corn is finely ground to a meal, which breaks
up the outside covering of each kernel, and then it is cooked,
which increases its digestibility.
Corn grits and corn meal are used in Iams® and Eukanuba®
foods as high-quality sources of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates
are an important source of energy.
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