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Corn For Cats: Is It Good For Them?

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We all love corn. And why not? Corn on the cob is soft, sweet, and buttery. Just the sight of it can make our mouths water. However, did you know that even cats like corn. This might make you wonder whether corn is good for your feline friend. The answer is yes. In fact, corn is present in many cat foods. It is packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Continue reading to know the importance of corn for cats.
 

Benefits of corn for cats

Since cats are omnivores, they need a high amount of protein to support their bodily functions. Hence, corn alone is not enough. One medium ear of corn contains 3.5 grams of protein. And cats need at least 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight.

 

If your cat is around 8 pounds, they require 16-gram protein at the least. Basically, your cat might have to eat at least 4 or 5 medium ears of corn. And doing that would increase their calorie intake. Hence, corn can only be a part of your cat’s day-to-day diet, not the whole meal. That being said, here are a few benefits of including corn in your cat’s diet:
 

  • Your cat lacks energy? Corn contains carbs!

    Carbohydrates might not be the most vital nutrient for cats; however, it is highly digestible. This ensures that your fur baby feel energetic throughout the day. When your cat gets enough carbs, they do not have to use protein to produce energy. Proteins available in their body can focus on their primary role--muscle and tissue growth.
     

  • Keeps inflammations at bay

    Corn is packed with fatty acids which maintain skin health and prevent inflammation. These fatty acids must be supplied through a balanced diet because your cat cannot produce them in their body.
     

  • Rich in antioxidants

    Antioxidants are essential for cat health since they minimise damage to cells. Vitamin E optimises a cat’s T-cell activation, whereas beta-carotene increases antibody levels and improves vaccine recognition. Here's good news for you: corn is rich in both!

 

 

Few facts about corn cat food

Corn is included in cat food formulas in various forms, such as ground corn, corn meal, corn grits, corn gluten meal, and corn bran. When reviewing the ingredients list on cat food packaging, you may see one or more of the following corn ingredients:

 

Corn ingredient

What it is

Ground corn or corn meal

Finely ground and chopped whole corn

Corn grits

The portion of ground corn containing little

or none of the bran (fiber) or germ (the small protein portion at the end of the kernel)

Corn bran

The outer coating of the corn kernel; largely fiber

Corn gluten meal

A dried protein source that remains after the corn’s bran, a large portion of carbohydrates, and germs have been removed

 

Best corn snack for cats

As a cat owner, you might want to serve your feline friend the best corn cat food. However, not all types of corn snacks are suitable for your pet. As a cat parent, you want to avoid feeding your fur baby with corn chips, popcorn, fried kernels, and corn husks. Stick to grilled or boiled sweet corn without any seasoning. 

 

Corn in IAMS™ Cat Food Products

Corn is included in the formulas for all IAMS cat foods, including IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Healthy Adult and ProActive Health™ Healthy Kitten. It is more appropriate to associate the corn used in our products with “cornbread” rather than “corn on the cob.” The difference is similar to cooked corn versus raw corn. We use only the highest-quality corn in our products. The corn is finely ground, which breaks up the outside covering of each kernel, and then it is cooked for better digestibility.

 

Corn grits and cornmeal are used in our foods as high-quality sources of carbohydrates, which are an important source of energy. Corn generally also results in lower glycemic and insulin responses than rice. This can be especially beneficial for senior and overweight cats.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is corn protein good for cats?
    • Protein is an essential nutrient for cats. The protein building blocks in corn play a key role in maintaining a cat’s health. Given the benefits of corn for cats, do look for this ingredient when buying your feline friend some yummy food.

  2. Is corn gluten meal okay for cats?
    • Corn gluten is safe for cats. However, your pet can develop allergies like skin issues and gastrointestinal infections.

  3. What ingredients shouldn’t be in cat food?
    • Garlic, soy, rice, caramel, glucose, and meat byproducts are a few ingredients you must avoid when feeding your cat.

  4. What should the first ingredient in cat food be?
    • A rich protein source like chicken, salmon, lamb, etc. should top the ingredients list in cat food.
Corn Ingredients and Their Use in Our Cat Foods
  • Feeding Guidelines For Your Cat
    Feeding Guidelines For Your Cat
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    How To Take Care Of A Cat?

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    Cats are known to be solitary creatures and enjoy spending time with themselves. However, as a pet parent, you must ensure that your cat remains healthy. It is advisable to keep an eye on your cat’s behavior to detect a sudden change, even what it eats, and in how much quantity. A regular health checkup is one of the most basic yet essential steps to a cat/kitty care guide. Taking care of cats is comparatively easier than taking care of kittens. A diligently followed routine for cat care can also be quite helpful. So, before we tell you how to take care of cat, here are few dos and don’ts every cat owner must know.

    Do's & Don'ts Every Cat Parent Should Know:

    Here’s your cat care 101 –

    • Medical care -

      Adult cats should be taken to the vet for a complete checkup at least once a year. This will ensure that your cat is in good health and will also catch any disease symptom overlooked by you.
    • Hygiene –

      Hygiene is one of the most basic cat care tips. Cats usually lick and clean themselves, but it is always advisable to bathe your cat every 4-6 weeks. Their crates should also be cleaned regularly to make sure they do not fall sick.
    • Feeding –

      Till the time your kitten is four months old, it can be fed three times a day. Post four months, you can begin the transition to feeding it twice a day. It is still advisable to consult a vet before deciding the frequency of the meals.
    • Dental care -

      Your cat’s dental care is just as important as yours. It is advisable to set a dental care routine right from its kitten phase. You can dip your gloved finger in a little toothpaste made for cats in its mouth to clean their teeth and gums. If your cat’s mouth smells bad, it may be an indication of a disease. So, book an appointment with your vet without any delay.
    • Socializing -

      You can get your cat to socialize too, but you have to keep a few things in mind. You may get down to its level to initiate contact and speak in a calm voice. You may also pat its head to let it get familiarized with your touch.
      Now that you know these cat care tips, let’s understand how you can housetrain your cat.

    Housetraining Your Cat

    Now that you have brought your cat home, the next step is to comfortably settle it in your house. Housetraining might sound like a tedious task, but it isn’t. With a little practise and lots of patience, you can easily housetrain your cat. Some of the most basic things to keep in mind while housetraining your cat include providing a proper litter box, spaying your cat, toilet training and cat proofing the house. Given below are some tips that may help you easily housetrain your cat:

    • Litter box –

      It is advisable to place the litter box in an easily accessible location. You should avoid moving the litter box unless necessary. And even if you have to move it, shift it a few inches every day. Also, keep in mind that your cat will not use a dirty or smelly litter box. Hence, scoop out the solid waste at least once a day and clean it using mild detergents.
    • Cat-Proofing –

      It is important that you keep harmful things out of reach from your cat. First and foremost, tie up all loose cables and wires so that your cat won’t get tangled in them. Make sure candles and other flaming substances are kept at an unobtainable distance from the cat. If you use essential oils frequently, make sure your cats do not come in contact with them either, because certain ingredients in these oils may be toxic for your feline friend.
    • Spaying –

      Spaying your cat has several health benefits and ensures your cat lives a healthy life. You may fix an appointment to spay your kitten when it is as young as eight weeks old. If you have a cat, it is advisable to get it spayed before it reaches five months of age.
    • Toilet Training –

      This is one of the major concerns of all cat parents. Here’s how you can toilet-train your cat with a few simple steps –
      1) Place the cat’s litter box closer to the washroom.
      2) Raise the height of the litter box a little every day.
      3) Slowly, transition your cat to use the actual washroom every time it wants to go.
      4) Give your cat a treat each time it uses the washroom. This will encourage good behavior.

    Common Cat Diseases

    Taking care of your cat’s health comes first in the cat/kitty care guide. Even though cats lick and self-groom themselves, they cannot get better on their own if they contract the following diseases:

    • Vomiting –

      This is one of the most common health issues in cats and is caused by various factors. Hairballs, eating something inedible, or a urinary tract infection are some of the reasons why your cat may be vomiting.
    • Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD) –

      Both male and female cats can contract FLUTD and its main cause is obesity or only eating dry food. Some of the symptoms of FLUTD are bloody urine, crying while urinating, straining to pee, licking around the urinary area due to pain, dehydration, and vomiting.
    • Diarrhea -

      Cancer, infection, allergy and bad food can be the causes of diarrhoea. It is advisable to give your cat a lot of fresh water to drink if it has diarrhoea.
    • Tapeworms –

      Tapeworms can cause extreme discomfort to your cat as they reside in its intestines. You can spot tapeworms with your naked eye in your cat’s stools. The symptoms of worms are vomiting and weight loss.
    • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) –

      This virus can make the immune cells attack the white blood cells in the cat’s body. This gradually weakens the cat’s immune system. FIV’s symptoms are poor coat condition, persistent diarrhea, seizures, eye problems, lack of appetite, and recurring fever.
      If you notice unaccountable minor changes in your cat, then it is advisable to rush to the vet to rule out any of the above-mentioned diseases and seek proper treatment on time.

    Cat Care Tips for First Time Owners

    ‘How to take care of a cat’ is a question asked by many first-time cat owners, as cats can be difficult to figure out. But with a few careful steps, you can easily take care of your cat. Here are some cat care tips for first-time cat owners:

    • Cats are not easily adaptive to change.

      So, when you bring your cat home for the first time, you need to help it familiarize with the new surroundings by setting up its own space in the house. You can also add a cheery vibe to its crate by adding toys and a blanket.
    • Find a vet you can visit for your cat’s timely checkups.

      It is not advisable to ignore even the smallest recognized change in its health, and it is better to get it checked by the vet.
    • Cats love quality playtime as well.

      We recommend you get adorable toys for your feline friend to play with. You, too, can bond with your cat during this time.
    • Give

      it time to adapt to its new surroundings and the new people around them.
    • Ensure

      you buy healthy cat food for your new friend in advance and set a timetable for its meals.

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