{"id":4126,"date":"2021-11-29T14:00:41","date_gmt":"2021-11-29T19:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/puplore.com\/?p=4126"},"modified":"2021-11-29T14:05:19","modified_gmt":"2021-11-29T19:05:19","slug":"can-dogs-eat-grits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/puplore.com\/can-dogs-eat-grits\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Dogs Eat Grits? Are Grits Safe For Dogs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

There are several misconceptions about grit. However, one that mainly stands out is the belief that grits are only meant for breakfast, which is far from the truth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There is no designated time to eat grits; they can serve as breakfast, lunch, or special dinner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But what about canines? Can dogs eat grits? Are grits safe for dogs?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In this article, we explore everything you need to know about feeding this meal to your pup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What Are Grits?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Grits are unevenly grounded and boiled corn that has been cooked with butter. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

They’re typically eaten as porridge and can be eaten as hash browns, croutons for soups or salads, grit fritters, grit ice cream, and grit cakes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Cooked<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

They are made up of ground dried kernel hominy grits. Hominy grits are from soaked dry corn kernels that have been boiled with lime to get rid of the husk.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Grit is a popular meal across the country and originates from the southern part of the United States.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

When cooked, it is an excellent alternative for oatmeal, polenta, rice, etc., as they all offer similar nutritional benefits\u2014in some cases even more than other grain meals.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Can Dogs Have Grits?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Pet nutritionists do not directly answer the question, but they have a lot to say regarding feeding corn to pets, particularly dogs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A 2020 joint report<\/a> by North American Renderers Association (NARA), The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), and Pet Food Institute (PFI) stated that corn was one of the primary ingredients used in the making of dog food.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

About 1.2 million tons of corn are used annually to produce dog food supply across the nation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Although meat and bones are also used, they aren’t often used as much as corn.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Only about 533,253 tons of meat and bones are used in making dog food.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Corn is a very nutritious and safe food; thus, it isn’t surprising they are the most used ingredient in dog meal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

However, you may wonder, if corn is such a nutritious meal and grits are made from them, then what can go wrong?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Although grits come from corn, specifically kernels, they are not the best choice to feed your furry friend.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Of course, your dog can have a bit of grit; this won’t do it any harm; however, feeding it often will result in health consequences.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Undoubtedly grits offer some nutritional benefits, but they also contain many harmful substances that far outweigh their pros for dogs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Grits are cooked in a way to enhance their taste, which involves adding lots of seasoning, salts, butter, cheese, and others.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The finished product is no longer just grounded soaked corn but a combination of different seasonings, making it less healthy for dog consumption.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A closer look at the ingredients that go into making grits would make dog owners realize that grits aren’t the best of choice to feed to pet dogs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It’s more of a question of can you feed your dog buttered-up kernel?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here’s a nutritional value breakdown of 233g of grits:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Nutritional Info<\/th>Amount<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Calories<\/strong><\/td>151<\/td><\/tr>
Fat<\/strong><\/td>0.9g<\/td><\/tr>
Sodium<\/strong><\/td>4.7mg<\/td><\/tr>
Potassium<\/strong><\/td>51mg<\/td><\/tr>
Carbohydrates<\/strong><\/td>32g<\/td><\/tr>
Fiber<\/strong><\/td>1.6g<\/td><\/tr>
Sugar<\/strong><\/td>0.2g<\/td><\/tr>
Protein<\/strong><\/td>2.9g<\/td><\/tr>
Calcium<\/strong><\/td>0.2%<\/td><\/tr>
Iron<\/strong><\/td>7.4%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

While grits may have its nutritional benefits, its disadvantages elude its advantage, thus making it not a healthy meal for dogs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Related:<\/strong> Can Dogs Eat Waffles? Are Waffles Safe For Dogs?<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Risks of Feeding Grits to Your Dog<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A few bites of grits don’t precisely mean a quick emergency trip to the vet. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

However, your dog’s continuous consumption will no doubt cause some severe health complications.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Stated below are reasons you shouldn’t feed grits to your dog.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n