Can Dogs Have Raw Turkey Necks? A Vet’s Guide to Safe Feeding
Turkey necks have become a popular treat and chew for dogs in recent years. Packed with protein, nutrients, and dental benefits, raw turkey necks can be a healthy addition to your pup’s diet when fed properly. However, there are some risks and precautions to be aware of before tossing your dog a raw turkey neck. In this article, we’ll explore whether dogs can safely eat raw turkey necks, potential benefits and risks, proper feeding guidelines, and alternative options to consider.
The Raw Food Trend
The popularity of raw feeding diets has been steadily growing among dog owners. The basic principle is that dogs thrive on raw, unprocessed foods that more closely mimic what they would eat in the wild. This includes raw meat, bones, and organs from animals like chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, and fish.
Proponents of raw diets claim there are numerous benefits compared to commercial kibble, including:
- Improved digestibility and nutrient absorption
- Shinier coats and healthier skin
- Better dental health from chewing meat and bones
- Weight management
- Increased energy levels
However many vets are still cautious about raw diets due to potential risks like nutritional imbalances and foodborne illnesses. Talk to your vet before switching your dog to a raw food diet.
Potential Benefits of Raw Turkey NecksAssuming proper handling and feeding, here are some of the benefits of giving your dog raw turkey necks
Protein – Turkey necks provide dogs with high-quality, natural protein to support strong muscles, organ function, and overall health. The meat contains all the essential amino acids dogs need.
Nutrients – In addition to protein, turkey necks contain a variety of vitamins and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and more.
Joint Health – Turkey necks are rich in natural glucosamine and chondroitin, compounds that support healthy joints and mobility. They can benefit dogs with arthritis.
Dental Health – Chewing on a meaty raw neck scrapes away tartar and plaque, keeping teeth clean This reduces dental disease risk
Mental Stimulation – Gnawing on a large neck bone keeps dogs mentally and physically engaged for hours. It satisfies their natural urge to chew.
Variety – Raw turkey necks add tasty variety to your dog’s diet and provides a different texture and chewing experience than regular dog treats.
Potential Risks of Raw Turkey Necks
While the benefits are numerous, there are some potential risks to consider with raw turkey necks:
Choking Hazards – Dogs that aggressively “inhale” their food could potentially choke on pieces of bone or cartilage. Always supervise your dog when feeding any chews.
Gastrointestinal Upset – Too much rich fat or bone fragments could cause vomiting or diarrhea in some dogs if not transitioned slowly. Introduce new proteins gradually.
Foodborne Illness – Raw meats carry a risk of Salmonella, E. coli, and other bacteria if not handled properly. Take care when storing, thawing, and feeding.
Nutritional Imbalances – Feeding too many turkey necks could lead to an unbalanced diet. They should be part of a varied raw diet, not the sole food.
Dental Damage – Aggressive chewers may crack teeth on bones. Dogs with existing dental issues should avoid extremely hard chews like raw neck bones.
How to Feed Raw Turkey Necks Safely
If you want to introduce raw turkey necks to your dog’s diet, here are some tips for safe feeding:
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Pick turkey necks sized appropriately for your dog. A good rule of thumb is to feed necks about the circumference of your dog’s mouth.
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Introduce slowly. Start with only a quarter or half neck at a time to avoid digestive upset.
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Feed turkey necks no more than two or three times per week as a treat, not daily meals.
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Supervise your dog during mealtime and remove a turkey neck immediately if you notice aggressive swallowing of large pieces.
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Store raw turkey necks sealed in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to feed. Thaw in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.
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Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw turkey. Disinfect bowls and surfaces after use.
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If your dog is immunocompromised or you have concerns about pathogens, consider lightly cooking or blanching turkey necks before feeding. This kills bacteria while preserving much of the nutritional value.
Alternative Treats to Consider
While raw turkey necks can make a healthy, natural chew, they may not be right for every dog. Here are some alternatives treats to consider:
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Raw chicken, duck, or lamb necks provide similar benefits but are smaller for less aggressive chewers. Introduce slowly.
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Raw meaty bones like chicken wings, drumsticks, or beef ribs offer meat, cartilage, and bone chewing.
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Antlers or buffalo/bison horns make long-lasting, mineral-rich chewing treats.
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Bully sticks are fully digestible beef chews that promote dental health through chewing.
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Dental chews use nylon, vegetable starches, or rice to clean teeth without raw bones.
Talk to Your Vet
As with any dietary change for your dog, consult your veterinarian before feeding raw turkey necks to address any potential risks or health concerns specific to your pup. Some dogs may be better candidates than others based on factors like dental health, age, medical conditions, and more.
When fed properly in moderation, raw turkey necks can be a healthy, natural treat option for many dogs as part of a nutritious, balanced raw or homecooked diet. Just be sure to introduce new proteins slowly, supervise mealtime, follow safe handling procedures, and choose appropriate turkey neck sizes for your canine companion. And as always, check with your trusted veterinarian first before changing up your dog’s diet.
How should I add Raw Meaty Bones to my dog’s diet?
For Adult dogs and cats, you can offer raw meaty bones as an occasional treat in addition to their regular meals. We recommend starting with 1-2x per week.
If you have a puppy or kitten, we recommend booking a consultation to work out a custom feeding plan on how many and which bones to add to our signature meals on a daily basis.
What are Raw Meaty Bones (RMB)?
Dogs and Cats have a nutritional requirement for calcium. Raw edible bone provides this essential mineral in a raw diet. Raw Meaty Bones are all-natural, soft, pliable bones your pet can crunch, tear through and eat. Raw Meaty bones are also rich in phosphorus, amino acids, protein, essential fatty acids, fiber, enzymes, and antioxidants. They’re great for pets with sensitive stomachs and food allergies as a single-ingredient treat. Our signature raw meal blends contain ground-up raw meaty bones mixed in. Some examples include Chicken necks, feet, Pork riblets, and Duck wings.
You can hand-feed RMB using a paper towel to encourage slower eating if necessary. It is perfectly safe and healthy for your pet to enjoy appropriately sized, non-weight-bearing raw bones. In fact, feeding RMBs provides jaw exercise, mental stimulation, and natural teeth cleaning. For teething puppies and kittens, RMBs are a great alternative to furniture and shoes!
Unless your pet has an underlying condition that prevents them from being able to chew bones (missing/fractured teeth, gulper feeding style), whole raw meaty bones are an excellent addition for them regardless of their primary source of food.
General RMB Diet Requirements based on age:
Kitten and Puppies- 17%
*Very small kittens and puppies may require ground bone until their jaws are strong
*Kittens get their adult teeth around 6 months and can move to larger bones
Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Necks?
FAQ
What parts of a raw turkey can a dog eat?
While both white and dark meat portions of a turkey are safe for a dog to eat, white meat tends to be a better protein source. If you want to feed your dog a small amount of turkey to satisfy their craving without giving them too many extra calories, stick to the white meat pieces.
Are raw neck bones safe for dogs?
It’s important to understand what bones your dogs can eat (based on their size) and how much they can eat. Necks. Dogs and cats of all sizes can eat chicken necks. Duck necks are better for medium-sized dogs, while turkey necks are best for larger pups.
Can dogs have raw turkey bones?
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Sp splintering risk:Even raw bones can splinter, especially when chewed vigorously, leading to potential choking hazards or damage to the digestive tract.
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Bacterial concerns:Raw bones may carry bacteria like Salmonella or E. Coli, which can make your dog sick.
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Nutritional imbalance:Excessive bone consumption can disrupt the calcium-phosphorus balance in your dog’s diet.
Can dogs eat turkey necks?
Turkey necks are a good option for dogs with allergies to other proteins such as chicken or beef. They are a simple and natural protein source that can be easily digested by dogs with food sensitivities. 6. How should turkey necks be prepared for dogs? Turkey necks can be fed raw or cooked to dogs.
Are raw turkey necks good for dogs?
Raw turkey necks have many benefits that can improve your dog’s health. Here’s a brief roundup about them. Raw turkey necks are full of beneficial nutrients. For example, they have a high protein content, which benefits animals’ health in many different ways.
Can dogs eat raw turkey heads?
Yes, you can safely offer raw turkey heads to your dog. Whether you have dry, freeze-dried, or normal raw heads, they’re a safe treat for your pet. This is because their texture is still soft, so when your furry friend chews them, they’ll crush gently without breaking into splinters.
Are raw turkey necks good for You?
Raw turkey necks are full of beneficial nutrients. For example, they have a high protein content, which benefits animals’ health in many different ways. It improves their muscle development, gives them healthy skin, and regulates hormones’ production, to name a few.
How many turkey necks can you give a dog?
Turkey necks can be given to canines of all ages, but when feeding to a senior dog, or one who has compromised tooth health, be especially diligent in making sure they can handle the bone well. There is no specific formula how many turkey necks you can give to your dog.
How often should a dog eat a turkey neck?
Due to their moderate to high calorie content, turkey necks should only be given as an occasional treat to avoid unwanted weight gain. Feeding one dehydrated turkey neck 1 to 2 times a week is more than enough for a medium-sized dog. Turkey necks should not replace a complete and balanced diet and are best avoided in overweight dogs.