There is much debate about the safety of giving dogs ‘real’ bones like those from a turkey. While your best friend might be used to bone-shaped biscuits, we investigated the benefits and drawbacks of providing your dog with a turkey bone. Here’s what you need to know before you throw a dog a bone.
As dog owners, we often want to share our food with our furry friends. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the food we share is safe for them. Turkey bones are a common question among dog owners, and the answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
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 injuries to your dog’s mouth, throat, and digestive system. Some potential dangers include:
- Internal injuries: Splintered bones can puncture the esophagus, stomach, or intestines, leading to internal bleeding and infection.
- Choking: Large bone fragments can lodge in the throat, causing your dog to choke.
- Dental damage: Chewing on hard bones can damage your dog’s teeth, leading to fractures and infections.
Raw Turkey Bones: A Safer Option (With Caution)
For certain dogs, raw turkey bones may be a safer alternative than cooked ones. However, it’s important to exercise caution and follow these guidelines:
- Supervise your dog closely: Never leave your dog unattended with a raw turkey bone.
- Choose the right size: Select bones that are larger than your dog’s mouth to prevent them from swallowing them whole.
- Monitor for signs of distress: If your dog starts to choke, vomit, or show any signs of discomfort, take the bone away immediately and contact your veterinarian.
Additional Considerations for Raw Turkey Bones:
- Not all dogs can handle raw bones: Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with certain health conditions may not be able to safely chew on raw bones. Consult your veterinarian for advice.
- Raw bones can pose a choking hazard: Even large bones can break into smaller pieces, so always supervise your dog.
- Raw bones can harbor bacteria: Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw bones and clean any surfaces that come into contact with them.
Alternatives to Turkey Bones:
There are lots of healthy and safe substitutes for turkey bones that your dog can chew on if you’re worried about the risks involved:
- Commercial chew toys: Look for durable chew toys made from rubber, nylon, or other safe materials.
- Dental chews: These chews are designed to help clean your dog’s teeth and prevent plaque buildup.
- Frozen fruits and vegetables: Frozen carrots, apples, and bananas can provide a refreshing and healthy chew for your dog.
- Bully sticks and other natural chews: These chews are made from natural ingredients and are a good alternative to raw bones.
While sharing your Thanksgiving turkey with your dog might seem like a kind gesture, it’s important to prioritize their safety. Cooked turkey bones are a definite no, and even raw turkey bones should be given with caution. By following the guidelines above and choosing safe alternatives, you can ensure that your dog enjoys a happy and healthy holiday season.
Additional Resources:
- American Kennel Club: Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?
- PetMD: Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?
Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet or introducing new treats.
Can dogs eat cooked turkey bones?
First things first, it’s important that you don’t ever feed cooked turkey bones to a dog. As tempting as it may be to give your dog a tiny taste of that delicious holiday feast, cooked bones are bad for dogs. They could break and cause a number of problems, including cuts to the puppy’s mouth and teeth, intestinal blockages, and upset stomach.
To treat wounds like broken teeth, cuts on the mouth, harm to the jaw, or bones lodged in the stomach, surgery might be required. 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. Thus, simply refuse cooked turkey bones and your dog (we’ll remind you throughout this blog post, don’t worry)!
Can dogs eat raw turkey bones?
After reading through each of these scenarios, you’re undoubtedly questioning whether giving your dog turkey bones is really appropriate. The answer is yes, as long as the bones are raw. Turkey, chicken, and other poultry bones still tend to be thinner and more brittle, even though raw bones are generally a good option for puppies. Therefore, if you do share some raw bone with your dog, it’s imperative that you watch them closely while they’re eating.
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. Remember to clean your dog’s dish, any chopping boards, knives, and food prep areas that came into contact with raw meat or bone to stop the spread of bacteria and foodborne illnesses.
Give a Dog A Turkey Bone?
FAQ
Are turkey bones OK for dogs?
Can I give my dog a raw turkey leg?
What type of bone is safe for dogs?
Can you give cooked turkey to dogs?
Can dogs eat cooked turkey bones?
This is because garlic and onions contain compounds that destroy red blood cells in dogs (and cats). As with cooked chicken bones, cooked turkey bones are a no-go. Cooking breaks down the structural integrity of the bone such that they can easily shatter.
What should I do if my dog eats leftover turkey bones?
1. Call the veterinarian. If your dog eats leftover turkey bones, immediately contact your vet, so they can advise you on the proper steps to take based on any symptoms your dog is experiencing. 2. Monitor for adverse side effects.
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.
Do dogs eat bones?
Dogs will eat bones any time of year, but the holiday season seems to be a particularly common time for them to dig into the trash or steal meat with bones off the table. 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.