Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
Thanksgiving means Turkey Day to many American households. It takes hours to roast and baste the bird. Then, after dinner is over, there are sandwiches, soup, and casseroles to make. With all that leftover turkey, why not give some to our furry friends, snuck under the table surreptitiously, or on a Thanksgiving “plate” of their own?
Can Dogs Eat Turkey? But is turkey safe for dogs to consume? Is turkey healthy for dogs? Are there any risks in feeding dogs turkey? We’ll go through all of what you should know concerning dogs and turkey, from advantages to risks.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
Can Dogs Eat Turkey? A dog’s ability to safely eat turkey largely depends on the way the meat is prepared. Turkey is not toxic to dogs. It’s a common ingredient that is included in many dog foods, and it is full of protein, riboflavin, and phosphorus. When plain turkey is cooked—meaning that it’s been cooked without any salt, fat, or spices—turkey can be a healthy component of a homemade dog food diet under the recommendations of your veterinarian.
True, the turkey we put on Thanksgiving tables is rarely “plain.” We oil or butter our birds, and salt them with all types of combinations of salt, pepper, herbs, and spices. For some, their turkey is stuffed with onions, garlic, apples, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and others. For those eating the meal, all these odors, flavors, and textures are delicious. However, for our dogs, some of these otherwise nutritious ingredients are toxic. Although many of the most typical Thanksgiving items are not necessarily toxic for dogs, they can be a recipe for awful stomach trouble or pancreatitis.
Parts That Are Safe for Dogs
White meat and dark meat are safe and healthy for your dog. But the white meat is leaner, more protein-dense than the dark meat pieces. So both are healthy and safe, but white meat is ever so ever so slightly healthier than dark. An even better option is what’s known as turkey meal. This is created when newly purchased turkey is cooked (essentially a high-sounding word for cooking on purpose beyond its done stage) until much of the water content is cooked off and what’s left is highly protein-heavy.
Turkey Giblets
Can Dogs Eat Turkey? Occasionally the giblets found within factory turkeys, including the liver, kidneys, heart, gizzard, and neck, are included. Most of these other foods will be totally safe for your dog to eat if cooked well (assuming they won’t be a sacrifice for any of your guests). The only exception of this is the neck because there are bones in that section. Even if you already have your dog eating a raw meat diet, it’s not recommended to give your dog the giblets raw. Instead, rinse them with water and then boil them for five to 10 minutes or sear them on your stovetop for a few minutes on both sides. As with anything new you feed your dog, however, if you put too much in too quickly you can induce a gastrointestinal flare-up in your dog. So if you choose to reward your dog with the turkey giblets, cut them into small pieces and spread them around over a few days as special treats.
How Much Turkey Can Dogs Eat
Can Dogs Eat Turkey? You can only provide Turkey as a small treat or snack. In serving your dog treats, you can give them no more than 10 percent of their daily calorie requirement discussed above. Any amount over this will start putting them at risk for weight gain and associated issues such as arthritis, among other health problems.
How to Feed Your Dog Turkey
Can Dogs Eat Turkey? It is important to give your dog turkey in such a way that it won’t harm them. This is by checking the ingredients, removing stuff that can be harmful, breaking the pieces into bite sizes, etc. It would also be advisable to consult your vet first before giving your buddy anything new, particularly when they already have a severe disease.
To make all this easier, make sure you are using these best practices we’ve laid out above:
- Leave the pieces of turkey plain and unsalted.
- Ensure that there are no other poisonous ingredients on the turkey, such as garlic or chives.
- Remove any skin, fat, or drippings.
- Remove all bones.
- Serve your dog small quantities and bite-sized pieces as a snack food product.
- Limit turkey and other treats to 10 percent of your dog’s total calorie requirements each day.
- Consult your vet prior to introducing new food.
Your friend will appreciate it in the long term that you are feeding them turkey in the safest way possible.
If you believe your dog has swallowed or ingested something toxic, then contact your vet, the local animal hospital, or the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at (888) 426-4435 immediately for advice.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey?
Can Dogs Eat Turkey? No, raw turkey or turkey bones are not dog food since they may contain viruses, bacteria or parasites that can infect your dog and make them sick. According to the CDC, raw pet food and treats are not considered safe for dogs or cats, so always stick to fully cooked turkey for both pets and people.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
Yes—dogs can enjoy turkey in moderation, as long as it’s plain, thoroughly cooked, and free from skin, fat, and bones. Make sure it’s plain turkey without gravy or seasonings, either.