Turkey is a versatile meat that we use in everyday meals and it’s famous for its role in Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners around the world. You may have often wondered could you give your dog a little piece during dinner or a bit of the leftover turkey afterward. It poses the question to dog owners, can dogs eat turkey? In the past, we’ve answered similar questions, so go ahead and find out if dogs can eat cooked chicken, cooked pork and cooked beef.
The short answer is yes! Plain pieces of turkey meat offer many nutritional benefits to our canine friends. Turkey is a key ingredient in many dog foods. However, there are certain parts of the turkey and processed turkey products that we don’t feed to our dogs and we’ll discuss these in more detail below.
Can Dogs Have Turkey Breast? The Health Benefits and Precautions Explained
As Thanksgiving approaches, many dog owners wonder if they can share some of their holiday turkey with their furry friend. Turkey breast in particular may seem like a tasty, healthy treat for your pup. But is turkey breast safe and beneficial for dogs to eat? Let’s dive in and find out.
An Overview of Turkey Breast Nutrition
Turkey breast contains high-quality protein and important vitamins and minerals. Some of the key nutrients found in turkey breast include:
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Protein: Turkey breast is a great source of lean protein. Protein provides amino acids that help maintain and repair muscle tissue.
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Niacin: Also known as vitamin B3, niacin supports skin and nervous system health.
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Vitamin B6 This vitamin aids in red blood cell production and supports immune function,
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Phosphorus This mineral helps form healthy teeth and bones It also assists in energy production
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Selenium: Selenium is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage.
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Zinc: Zinc helps maintain a healthy immune system and aids in wound healing.
So turkey breast can provide useful nutrients for your dog. But there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind.
Is Cooked Turkey Breast Safe for Dogs?
Cooked, boneless, plain turkey breast is usually safe for dogs to eat in small portions. The key is that the turkey must be properly prepared. Here are some tips:
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Cook thoroughly: Any raw poultry carries a risk of salmonella. Be sure to cook the turkey breast until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Remove bones: Bones can splinter and cause lacerations or obstructions in your dog’s throat or digestive tract. Never feed turkey bones to your dog.
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Avoid seasonings: Onions, garlic, sage and other seasonings can be toxic for dogs. Only feed plain turkey with no added ingredients.
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Cool before serving: Hot food can burn your dog’s mouth. Allow the turkey to cool down before giving it to your dog.
As long as you follow these safety guidelines, cooked turkey breast is unlikely to cause problems for healthy dogs.
Potential Benefits of Turkey for Dogs
Feeding your dog a small amount of cooked, plain turkey breast occasionally provides several health benefits:
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Lean protein for muscle: The high-quality protein in turkey helps maintain and repair your dog’s muscles. This makes it beneficial for active dogs.
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Supports skin, coat and immunity: Turkey’s B vitamins, zinc and selenium aid skin health, provide a shiny coat and support immune function.
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Promotes bone strength: Phosphorus and other minerals in turkey help build strong bones – important for large breed puppies and senior dogs.
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Satisfies taste preferences: Many dogs love meat flavors. Turkey can add variety and appeal to your dog’s diet.
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Easy to digest: Turkey breast is usually well tolerated by dogs with sensitive stomachs.
So when included occasionally in small portions, turkey can be a healthy supplemental food for dogs.
How Much Turkey Can Dogs Eat?
While turkey breast provides benefits, it’s important not to overdo it. Follow these portion guidelines:
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Small dogs (under 25 lbs): No more than 1 oz of turkey 1-2 times per week
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Medium dogs (25-50 lbs): No more than 2 oz of turkey 1-2 times per week
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Large dogs (over 50 lbs): No more than 4 oz of turkey 1-2 times per week
Your individual dog’s nutritional needs may vary based on age, activity level and health status. Consult your vet about the ideal amount of turkey to feed your dog.
Turkey should always be an occasional treat – not a dietary staple. Avoid giving turkey multiple days in a row to reduce gastrointestinal upset risk.
Are There Any Risks of Feeding Dogs Turkey?
While cooked turkey breast is usually safe, there are a few health risks to be aware of:
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Bones: As mentioned, bones can pose a major choking hazard or damage the GI tract. Never feed bones.
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Fatty skin: The skin contains a high amount of fat which can trigger pancreatitis in some dogs. Always remove skin.
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Allergies: Some dogs may be allergic to turkey protein. Monitor for signs like itching, ear infections or diarrhea.
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Nutritional imbalance: Too much turkey could lead to reduced intake of your dog’s balanced commercial diet.
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Gastrointestinal upset: Excessive turkey consumption could result in vomiting or diarrhea.
To avoid issues, feed turkey in moderation and discontinue use if any undesirable symptoms develop.
Healthy Alternatives to Turkey for Dogs
If your dog can’t have turkey or you want to provide other beneficial supplemental foods, here are some alternatives:
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Lean hamburger or ground chicken
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Canned sardines packed in water
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Plain scrambled eggs
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Small amounts of cooked beef or pork
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Low-sodium chicken broth
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Unsweetened canned pumpkin
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Low-fat cottage cheese
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Fresh fruits like watermelon, blueberries and bananas
For a lasting balanced diet, these supplemental foods should always be combined with your dog’s regular commercial dog food recommended by your veterinarian.
Answering Common Questions on Dogs and Turkey
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about dogs and turkey:
Can I give my dog turkey bones?
No. Poultry bones, including turkey bones, can splinter and cause choking hazards or gastrointestinal damage. Never feed bones to dogs.
Can I feed my dog deli turkey?
Avoid processed deli turkey which contains excessive salt content. Plain turkey breast is safer and healthier.
Can I give my dog turkey skin?
No. The fat content is too high which could lead to pancreatitis. Always remove the skin before feeding turkey meat.
Can my small dog eat turkey?
In small portions, turkey can be safe for small dog breeds as well. But adjust serving sizes down for smaller dogs.
Can puppies eat turkey?
Turkey without bones or skin can be fed to puppies over 6 months old in tiny portions. But avoid overfeeding high-protein diets to large breed puppies.
The Takeaway: Follow Precautions When Feeding Turkey
Overall, turkey can provide protein, vitamins and minerals when included occasionally as a supplemental food for dogs. Focus on cooked, boneless, plain turkey breast. Strictly avoid bones, skin, fat and seasoned turkey which pose safety risks. Feed turkey in conservative portions sized appropriately for your dog. Combine with your dog’s regular commercial diet and discontinue turkey if any concerning symptoms develop. When prepared properly and fed judiciously, turkey can be a healthy treat – but caution is advised. Consult your veterinarian about the ideal supplemental foods for your dog’s needs.
Turkey That Dogs Can Eat
Turkey is a healthy protein-filled meat that dogs can enjoy and have added to their diets. However, they can’t eat all sources of turkey. It’s important to feed them a safe form of turkey that isn’t going to cause health issues. The safest form of turkey is plain, unseasoned turkey meat like turkey breast or turkey thighs. It’s vital that the turkey being fed to your dog doesn’t contain fatty pieces of skin or cooked bones. We’ll discuss why in more detail below.
Turkey Skin and Fat
Turkey skin is very high in fat and along with obvious fatty pieces of meat, can cause issues for our dogs if they eat these parts of the turkey. High amounts of fat can cause tummy upsets and discomfort. In more serious cases, fatty foods can irritate the pancreas and cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) which requires intensive veterinary treatment. Dogs that have underlying gastrointestinal issues like inflammatory bowel disease will be more sensitive to high amounts of fat in the diet and this will likely irritate their condition.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey? [ANSWERED]
FAQ
Can dogs have cooked turkey breasts?
High fat content can cause pancreatitis, while all the extra spices and seasonings can irritate your dog’s stomach. Only feed your dog turkey meat.
What three meats should dogs avoid?
- Why avoid: Dogs can get harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli from raw meat, and they can choke on bones.
Why can’t dogs eat cooked turkey?
A high fat content can lead to pancreatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, and more. If the turkey skin has seasonings, herbs, onions, garlic, or other ingredients that may be toxic, this can be detrimental to your dog’s health and create serious risks if eaten in large amounts.
What part of turkey is safe for dogs?
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.
Can dogs eat turkey breast?
Yes, dogs can have turkey breast. However, it should be cooked thoroughly and without any added seasoning or oils. Turkey is a lean protein that can provide essential nutrients to your pup’s diet in moderation. It’s important to remember that too much of anything can lead to an upset stomach for your dog, so feed them only small amounts at a time.
Is turkey safe for dogs?
In general, turkey is safe for dogs. It contains high-quality protein that provides essential amino acids for maintaining good lean muscle mass, a strong immune system, transporting nutrients, and performing vital chemical reactions.
Can dogs eat turkey bones?
Turkey bones can be a choking hazard for dogs, as they are brittle and may splinter when chewed. To avoid this risk, it is important to remove any bones from the turkey before feeding it to your dog. If you are using cooked turkey meat, make sure that all of the small pieces of bone have been removed.
Can dogs eat turkey skin?
Remove turkey skin. Too much fat (from the skin itself, plus whatever butter or oil was used for roasting or frying) and seasonings are dangerous for dogs. High fat content can cause pancreatitis, while all the extra spices and seasonings can irritate your dog’s stomach. Only feed your dog turkey meat.
Is Thanksgiving turkey bad for dogs?
No, Thanksgiving turkey is not bad for dogs. In fact, it can be a healthy addition to their diet in moderation. Turkey provides essential proteins and amino acids that are beneficial for canine health. However, it should always be served plain without added seasonings or oils as these can cause digestive issues.
Can dogs eat raw turkey meat?
Additionally, if you are giving your dog raw or partially cooked turkey meat, make sure that there are no large pieces of bone present in the meat. Just like humans, some dogs may be allergic or intolerant to certain types of food. Turkey is one such food that could cause an adverse reaction in some dogs.