There is much debate about the safety of giving dogs ‘real’ bones like those from a turkey. Although your best friend may be accustomed to bone-shaped biscuits, we looked into the advantages and disadvantages of giving your dog a turkey bone. Here’s what you need to know before you throw a dog a bone.
Sharing your Thanksgiving feast with your furry friend is a heartwarming tradition, but it’s important to know which foods are safe for them to enjoy. While turkey meat can be a delicious and nutritious treat for dogs, the question of whether they can safely eat turkey bones is a bit more complex
The Dangers of Cooked Turkey Bones
Cooked turkey bones are a definite no-no for dogs. When cooked, bones become brittle and can easily splinter into sharp shards. These shards can cause serious internal injuries, including:
- Choking: Large bone fragments can lodge in your dog’s throat, blocking their airway.
- Internal bleeding: Sharp bone splinters can puncture the esophagus, stomach, or intestines, leading to internal bleeding.
- Gastrointestinal blockages: Smaller bone fragments can get stuck in your dog’s digestive tract, causing blockages that require surgery to remove.
The consequences of ingesting cooked turkey bones can be severe, even life-threatening. If you suspect your dog has eaten a cooked turkey bone, immediately contact your veterinarian.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Bones?
While cooked turkey bones are dangerous, raw turkey bones can be a safe and healthy treat for some dogs. Raw bones are less likely to splinter, and the chewing action can help clean your dog’s teeth and strengthen their jaw muscles
However, it’s important to supervise your dog closely when they are chewing on raw bones. Choose bones that are larger than your dog’s mouth to prevent them from swallowing them whole. Avoid giving your dog weight-bearing bones, such as leg bones, as these can be too hard and may crack their teeth.
If you have any concerns about giving your dog raw turkey bones, talk to your veterinarian. They can advise you on whether it’s safe for your individual dog and recommend appropriate bone sizes and types.
Additional Considerations for Raw Turkey Bones
- Only feed raw bones to healthy adult dogs. Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with health conditions should not be given raw bones.
- Never give your dog cooked bones of any kind.
- Supervise your dog closely when they are chewing on raw bones.
- Choose bones that are appropriate for your dog’s size and chewing habits.
- If you are concerned about the risks of raw bones, consider offering your dog commercially available rawhide bones or dental chews instead.
Delicious and Safe Alternatives to Turkey Bones
If you’re looking for a safe and healthy alternative to turkey bones, there are plenty of other options to keep your dog happy and satisfied:
- Turkey meat: Cooked, boneless turkey meat is a great source of protein for dogs.
- Sweet potato: This starchy vegetable is a healthy and delicious treat for dogs.
- Pumpkin: Canned pumpkin is a good source of fiber and can help with digestive issues.
- Green beans: These low-calorie vegetables are a healthy snack for dogs.
- Commercial dog treats: There are a wide variety of commercially available dog treats that are safe and healthy for your dog.
While sharing your Thanksgiving feast with your dog is a lovely gesture, it’s important to prioritize their safety. Cooked turkey bones are a definite no-no, but raw turkey bones can be a safe and healthy treat for some dogs under proper supervision. If you have any concerns, consult your veterinarian for personalized advice. Remember, there are plenty of other delicious and safe options to keep your furry friend happy and satisfied during the holidays.
Can dogs eat cooked turkey bones?
First things first, it’s important that you don’t ever feed cooked turkey bones to a dog. Cooked bones are harmful to dogs, despite how tempting it may be to give them a small taste of that delectable holiday feast. They have the potential to break and result in various issues, such as wounds to the puppy’s mouth and teeth, intestinal obstructions, and stomach distress.
Surgery may be necessary to fix wounds like chipped teeth, mouth cuts, jaw damage, or bones stuck in the stomach. This is why it is important that you avoid giving your pup cooked bones. These injuries can be painful, expensive, and even in some cases, fatal. Therefore, just say no to cooked turkey bones and your dog (don’t worry, we’ll remind you throughout this blog post)!
Can dogs eat raw turkey bones?
Having read through all of these possible outcomes, you’re probably wondering if turkey bones are even appropriate for your dog. The answer is yes, as long as the bones are raw. Although raw bones are generally a good choice for puppies, the bones of turkeys, chickens, and other poultry still have a tendency to be thinner and more prone to splintering. Therefore, it’s crucial that you keep a close eye on your dog when they’re eating if you do share some raw bone with them.
Raw bones and meat can come with additional risks for foodborne illness. Most healthy dogs should be able to handle raw bones. But, if you have an elderly or immunocompromised dog, check with your vet before feeding anything raw. To prevent the spread of bacteria and foodborne illnesses, don’t forget to clean your dog’s dish as well as any chopping boards, knives, and areas used for food prep that came into contact with raw meat or bone.
What should I do if my dog ate a cooked turkey bone?
FAQ
What happens if my dog eats a turkey bone?
Which turkey bones are safe for dogs?
Can animals eat cooked turkey bones?
Are turkey chews safe for dogs?
What happens if a dog eats a turkey bone?
Here are some of the potential risks and consequences of a dog eating a turkey bone: Mouth and tongue injuries: Bones can be fairly sharp. They can cut a dog’s mouth, causing bleeding and pain. While this isn’t always serious, it can sometimes lead to infections. Choking: If the bone gets stuck in your dog’s throat, it can cause choking.
Can dogs eat leftover turkey bones?
Some people even give leftover turkey and chicken bones to dogs as treats. No bones about it, that’s not a good idea. Cooked bones can splinter, puncturing the digestive tract. I always advise against giving dogs poultry or fish bones. Rib bones and pork bones also splinter easily.
Are turkey bones toxic to dogs?
Turkey bones aren’t toxic, so you don’t need to worry about rushing your dog to the vet in most cases. However, they aren’t safe and can cause a range of complications. Therefore, monitoring is very important in these situations. Firstly, don’t panic. Although the bone can cause problems for some dogs, the chance of serious complications is low.
Can dogs eat raw meaty bones?
Some dog owners will choose to feed their dogs raw meaty bones as part of their diet, and in consultation with their vet. Raw turkey necks are a common choice for this purpose, but any raw meaty bone carries with it a risk of exposure to bacteria like salmonella.