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Thanksgiving, for most families in the United States, is all about the turkey. Turkey roasting and basting take hours, and after the Thanksgiving meal is finished, there are casseroles, soups, and sandwiches to prepare. Could we consider giving our dogs some of the leftover turkey, either hidden under the table or placed on their own Thanksgiving “plate”?
Let’s go over everything you need to know about turkey for dogs, from the benefits to the risks: can dogs eat turkey? Is turkey good for dogs? Are there any risks to feeding dogs turkey?
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. But while we humans can indulge in a feast of turkey, stuffing, and all the trimmings, it’s important to remember that not all of our Thanksgiving favorites are safe for our canine companions.
So, can dogs eat turkey? The answer, like most things in life, is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
The Good News: Turkey Can Be a Healthy Treat for Dogs
Turkey itself is not inherently toxic to dogs. In fact, it’s a good source of protein, riboflavin, and phosphorus, making it a potentially healthy addition to your dog’s diet. Many commercial dog foods even use turkey as a key ingredient.
However, the key to safely sharing your Thanksgiving turkey with your dog lies in how it’s prepared.
The Bad News: Thanksgiving Turkey is Often a Recipe for Disaster
The problem with Thanksgiving turkey is that it’s rarely “plain.” We humans love to season our birds with butter, oil salt, pepper, herbs and spices. Many cooks also stuff their turkeys with onions, garlic, apples, carrots, celery, and other ingredients. While these additions may be delicious for us, some of them can be toxic to dogs.
Even seemingly harmless ingredients like onions and garlic can cause digestive upset or pancreatitis in dogs. And while not technically toxic, all the extra spices and seasonings can irritate your dog’s stomach.
How to Safely Share Thanksgiving Turkey with Your Dog
If you decide to share your Thanksgiving turkey with your dog, follow these important tips:
- Remove the skin: Turkey skin is high in fat, which can be dangerous for dogs. It can cause pancreatitis, a serious condition that requires veterinary attention.
- Only feed your dog the meat: Carefully remove any stuffing or other ingredients from the turkey before giving it to your dog. Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs, and other ingredients like apples and carrots can cause digestive upset.
- Feed your dog small portions: Turkey should be treated as a special treat, not a regular part of your dog’s diet. Too much turkey can lead to digestive problems.
- No cooked bones: Cooked bones of any kind, including turkey bones, can splinter and cause serious internal injuries.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?
Absolutely not! Cooked bones are brittle and can easily splinter, causing choking, internal injuries, and blockages that may require emergency surgery.
What If I Don’t Want to Share Turkey with My Dog?
There’s no rule that says you have to share your Thanksgiving turkey with your dog. In fact, many dog owners choose not to share human food with their pets to avoid begging and digestive problems.
If you do decide to give your dog turkey, make sure it’s plain, cooked turkey meat without any skin, bones, or seasonings. And remember, moderation is key!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat turkey necks?
Some dog owners choose to feed their dogs raw turkey necks as part of a raw meaty bone diet. However, this should only be done under the guidance of a veterinarian, as there is a risk of bacterial contamination and choking hazards.
Can dogs eat turkey jerky?
Commercial turkey jerky can be a safe treat for dogs, but it’s important to choose a product that is made with all-natural ingredients and free of preservatives.
Can dogs eat turkey bacon?
Turkey bacon is high in fat and sodium, which can be harmful to dogs. It’s best to avoid giving your dog turkey bacon.
Can dogs eat turkey sausage?
Turkey sausage is often seasoned with spices and preservatives that can be harmful to dogs. It’s best to avoid giving your dog turkey sausage.
While turkey itself is not toxic to dogs, it’s important to be mindful of how it’s prepared before sharing it with your furry friend. Stick to plain, cooked turkey meat without any skin, bones, or seasonings, and always feed it in moderation.
By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your dog enjoys a safe and happy Thanksgiving feast alongside you.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?
Cooked poultry bones are brittle. This, combined with their smaller size, makes them very dangerous for dogs. Veterinary professionals advise against giving cooked bones to dogs of any kind, including chicken bones, as they can result in the following issues:
- Mouth and tongue injuries
- Obstruction of the throat or intestinal tract
- Choking
- Possibly piercing stomach and intestine lining
- Constipation
- Rectal bleeding from sharp bone fragments
- Blockages that require emergency surgery
After consulting with their veterinarian, some dog owners decide to feed their animals raw meaty bones as part of their diet. For this purpose, raw turkey necks are frequently used, but any raw meaty bone increases the possibility of coming into contact with bacteria like salmonella. To find out more about the potential advantages and hazards of giving your dog raw, meaty turkey bones, consult your veterinarian.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Turkey
If you decide to feed your dog turkey, keep these tips in mind.
- Eliminate the skin from the turkey because dogs can become ill from too much fat—both from the skin itself and any butter or oil used during roasting or frying. Excessive fat levels can lead to pancreatitis, and the additional spices and seasonings can aggravate your dog’s stomach.
- Feed your dog only turkey meat: Make sure your dog doesn’t get any roasted aromatics mixed in with whatever meat portion you’re giving them. Dogs cannot handle onions, and excessive amounts of garlic can be harmful.
- Serve tiny amounts of turkey meat to your dog: Before deciding to feed your dog turkey, consult your veterinarian about introducing food scraps occasionally, particularly if your dog has a medical condition like diabetes. Minimal serving sizes, akin to a treat, assist in preventing stomach upset in healthy dogs when they consume unfamiliar foods.
- No cooked turkey bones: Ensure that your dog only receives meat from the turkey portion you choose to give them, without any cooked bones mixed in or remaining attached.