Corn Gluten. This is a buzzword that we have been hearing a lot lately when it comes to dog or cat food. But do you know what it really is? Gluten is a word that many of us have become familiar with over the last several years in regards to human foods. Gluten is a natural protein found in wheat, barley and rye grains that some people have a digestive sensitivity or intolerance to. Corn is a gluten free food which is why corn gluten (corn gluten meal) is misleading. The term gluten here is simply used to describe the protein in the corn. The pet food industry uses the Corn Gluten Meal, or CGM, as an inexpensive protein for pet foods because of its high protein percentage. Overtime, some dogs and cats can develop an allergy to corn from eating CGM foods. As a side note, CGM is also used in livestock and poultry feeds.
Bottom line…we need to be vigilant and get informed when it comes to foods that we feed our pets (as well as ourselves). It is important not to get caught up in the current buzzwords of the media without knowing exactly what it means. Talk to your vet if you have any questions regarding your pet and the food that you are feeding it.
