What pet parent hasn’t slipped their furry best friend a nibble or two under the table? While table scraps aren’t always the best nutritional option for doggos, JustFoodForDogs was founded upon the knowledge that many whole, delicious “people foods” can benefit humans and canines alike. One such food is turkey.
While it is safe for dogs to eat turkey, that doesn’t mean that pet parents should share slices of the Thanksgiving bird or a bite of a turkey sandwich. Proper preparation and nutritional balance, among other factors, need to be taken into consideration before letting your dog chow down.
If you want to start adding turkey to your dog’s diet, here’s what you need to know.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Ground Turkey? A Vet’s Guide to Safety and Risks
As a dog owner, you likely aim to feed your furry friend healthy, nutritious foods. You may wonder if raw ground turkey could be a good choice. I’m here to provide a veterinarian’s perspective on the potential benefits and risks of feeding raw ground turkey to dogs. Read on for complete guidance to make the best decision for your canine companion.
Potential Benefits of Raw Ground Turkey for Dogs
When fed properly raw ground turkey can provide some benefits for dogs
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Lean Protein Source – Turkey is a lean low-fat protein that supports strong muscles organ function and energy in dogs.
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Mental Enrichment – The unique texture can provide dogs with enriching chewing and gnawing stimulation.
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Promotes Dental Health – The fibrous ground meat can help gently scrape plaque and tartar off a dog’s teeth as they chew.
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Adds Variety – The flavor of ground turkey can add interest to a dog’s diet.
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Supports Digestion – Some dogs may digest raw meat more easily than cooked.
However, there are also some significant risks to consider before feeding raw ground turkey. Let’s explore those next.
Potential Risks of Feeding Dogs Raw Ground Turkey
While raw ground turkey can provide benefits, veterinarians typically advise caution or avoidance due to these risks:
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Bacterial Contamination – Raw meat may contain Salmonella, E. coli or other harmful bacteria. These can cause severe food poisoning in dogs.
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Gastrointestinal Upset – The rich fat content may irritate some dogs’ stomachs and cause diarrhea or vomiting.
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Choking Hazard – Bones or chewy pieces present a sizeable choking risk. Dogs may gulp down pieces that block their throat.
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Nutritional Imbalances – Too much raw turkey could lead to deficiencies or excesses in your dog’s overall diet.
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Foodborne Illness – Dogs infected with bacteria from raw meat can spread illness to humans through their feces or saliva.
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Spoilage – Raw ground turkey can spoil rapidly at room temperature, posing safety issues if not stored properly.
Veterinarian-Recommended Guidelines
For dog owners wishing to try occasional raw ground turkey, I suggest these expert tips:
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Consult your vet, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach, immunity issues or is very young or old.
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Select only the freshest, high-quality ground turkey you can find. Check expiration dates.
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Handle raw turkey extremely carefully to avoid cross-contamination with other foods or surfaces.
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Wash hands and disinfect all surfaces that came in contact with the raw meat.
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Store turkey immediately at 40°F or below and use within 1-2 days. Freeze any excess.
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Limit portion to 2-3 ounces maximum per meal, 1-2 times per month. Too much can cause GI issues.
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Supervise chewing carefully and remove any risky chunks that could cause choking.
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Introduce slowly mixed with your dog’s regular food, and monitor for any vomiting or diarrhea.
Discuss Your Dog’s Needs With Your Vet
While raw ground turkey can provide benefits, its risks warrant careful consideration. Discuss your individual dog’s health status and diet with your trusted veterinarian. They can best advise if raw turkey may be appropriate or should be avoided. With sound judgment and proper handling, most healthy adult dogs can likely eat the occasional raw turkey meal safely. But be sure to put your dog’s wellbeing first regarding this choice.
ARE TURKEY TAILS OK FOR DOGS?
Even though you can purchase turkey tails from certain pet retailers, Su advises against giving them to your dog, even as an occasional treat.
Not only do turkey tails contain bones, but they are also extremely high in fat. According to Smithsonian Magazine, “The tail is actually a gland that attaches the turkey’s feathers to its body. It is filled with oil that the bird uses to preen itself, so about 75% of its calories come from fat.”
Though some fats have nutritional benefits, to avoid serious health problems, pet parents should steer clear of any food that introduces that much fat into their dog’s diet.
IS GROUND TURKEY GOOD FOR DOGS?
“Ground turkey is very good for dogs,” Su says. “It’s a versatile meat that’s readily available in different lean-to-fat ratios. You can go to the grocery store and buy ground turkey that’s 99% lean, 93% lean, or 85% lean, all of which have different nutritional properties and can be eaten to achieve different health goals.”
“For example,” Su continues, “If your dog is experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) upset, a veterinarian might recommend a homemade diet of boiled chicken and rice. If you’d like, use 99% lean ground turkey in place of the chicken. Or if you have a healthy dog who needs a daily, maintenance-type diet, JustFoodForDogs has a Turkey and Whole Wheat Macaroni Recipe containing 85% lean ground turkey, which offers plenty of proteins and amino acids, as well as essential fatty acids.”
Again, explore these options with the help of a veterinarian or nutritionist. A professional can consider what else your dog eats and calculate exactly how much turkey and what kind they need to achieve an optimally balanced diet for your dog’s health.
One of the reasons many veterinarians recommend ground turkey for your dog’s diet is that there are no choking hazards like bones to consider.
Su advises cooking ground meat on the stovetop or in the oven to ensure it’s cooked all the way through.
If you want to feed turkey to your pooch, check out our DIY ground turkey for dogs recipe.
Eating Raw Ground Turkey?
FAQ
What happens if my dog eats raw ground turkey?
He should be fine, he might just have some stomach upset. They can occasionally get food borne illness from eating raw meat but it’s less common than for us. I recommend just monitoring him closely, mostly for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or decreased appetite. These signs would warrant a vet visit.
What raw ground meat can dogs eat?
The best raw meat is beef or lamb, beef being the cheapest. Chop into bite size pieces and add vegetables . Dogs also enjoy chewing on a raw beef bone, and also find raw chicken necks delicious. Freeze raw chicken necks first to get rid of any bacteria, then thaw .
Is it OK to feed dogs ground turkey?
You may have noticed that turkey is a common ingredient in dog treats and dog food. Skinless, unseasoned white turkey meat that’s been properly cooked is actually fine for dogs to consume in small amounts. Ground turkey, as long as it’s plain and has no additives, is also perfectly healthy for dogs.
Is raw turkey ok for dogs?
While plain turkey is safe for dogs, turkey with added ingredients, seasonings, preservatives, and other additives can be harmful to them.Sep 23, 2024
Can dogs eat raw turkey?
Dogs have no problem eating cooked or raw turkey meat, the turkey’s neck, feet, turkey giblets, bone broth, and organ meats. In fact, these foods are actually good for them and provide many health benefits, so feel free to feed your dog a variety of these poultry products. Wait, what about avoiding human foods?
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
Is ground turkey good for dogs?
Ground turkey is a good alternative for dogs in making meat loaves, hamburgers, tacos, etc. It is good for dogs and contains niacin, selenium, and potassium. Ground turkey is a healthy meal for your pet, even though it is not from a turkey bird.
Can dogs eat skinless turkey?
Click to jump to each section. Skinless turkey is also lower in fat than other forms of meat (like ham, for example) so your dog’s gastrointestinal system can tolerate it better and it’s less likely to cause digestive issues. This also makes it more suitable for dogs on a low-fat diet or those prone to weight gain, says Dr. Hsia.
Can a dog eat a dark Turkey?
It can be if you don’t choose a lean option marketed as 90-93% fat free. Dark turkey meat is much fattier than white breast meat. As with any diet change, check with your veterinarian before feeding your dog ground turkey. They can verify that it will fit well with your pup’s unique nutritional needs and health conditions.
Can dogs eat turkey heads?
This is because their texture is still soft, so when your furry friend chews them, they’ll crush gently without breaking into splinters. It’s especially safe when you give your dog raw meaty turkey heads that still have connective tissue and meat surrounding them.