As you enjoy your delicious holiday meal, your pet looks at you desperately in the corner licking their chops, uncontrollably drooling and panting for a piece of your feast. We know you want them to feel apart of the festivities, why not make them something both scrumptiously tasty and good for their health as well? Here are Thanksgiving recipes for your pet to show them how grateful you are to be apart of their furry lives!
Turkey giblets are a nutritious treat that many dog owners like to cook up for their pups. As the internal organs of the turkey, giblets contain high amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Liver, heart, gizzards, kidneys – dogs go crazy for these meaty morsels!
But before you serve up any turkey giblets, it’s important to cook them properly Raw giblets can contain bacteria like salmonella Thorough cooking kills any dangerous pathogens and makes the giblets easier for your dog to digest.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process for preparing tasty turkey giblets that are safe and healthy for your dog. Let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Select Quality Turkey Giblets
When choosing giblets to cook for your dog, look for fresh giblets from organic, free-range turkeys whenever possible. Giblets from high-quality turkeys will provide maximum nutrition. Make sure the giblets have no added seasonings, flavors or preservatives – just plain turkey organs.
You can ask your butcher for giblets or find them in the poultry section of many grocery stores, often packaged inside whole turkeys. Always choose fresh giblets if you can.
Step 2: Clean the Giblets Thoroughly
Before cooking, rinse the giblets under cool running water to remove any dirt, blood or residue. Pull off any excess fat or membrane – dogs don’t need those fatty bits.
Watch out for small bones, like in the neck, which can present a choking hazard. Remove any bones you find so just the soft organs remain.
Step 3: Choose a Cooking Method
You can boil, bake or steam turkey giblets to safely cook them for your dog. Here are directions for each technique:
Boiling
Place the cleaned giblets in a pot and cover completely with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes until fully cooked through.
Baking
Preheat oven to 350°F. Put giblets in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake 30-40 minutes until completely cooked through. Check doneness by piercing with a fork.
Steaming
In a steamer basket or pot, steam giblets for 20-30 minutes until cooked through and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
No matter how you cook them, ensure giblets are fully cooked with no pink inside. The juices should run clear when pierced with a fork.
Step 4: Cool and Cut the Giblets
After cooking, allow the giblets to cool completely before handling. Warm giblets will be difficult to cut.
Once cooled, dice giblets into bite-sized pieces appropriate for your dog. Small dogs do best with very small pieces they can swallow easily.
Step 5: Store Cooked Giblets Safely
Cooked giblets will keep fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze giblets in bags or containers for longer storage. Thaw frozen giblets in the fridge before feeding.
Tips for Serving Turkey Giblets
Once you’ve mastered the cooking process, get creative with how you serve those yummy turkey giblets! Here are some ideas:
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Mix chopped giblets into your dog’s regular kibble or canned food for added flavor.
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Stuff small amounts of giblets in Kong toys and freeze for a long-lasting chew toy.
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Simmer giblets in broth to make a mouthwatering gravy topping for your dog’s dinner.
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Skewer cooked giblet pieces on sticks for fun “giblet kabobs” your dog will love.
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Use a food processor to finely mince giblets and incorporate into homemade treats.
Just be sure to introduce new foods slowly, and moderate giblet intake as they are rich. Always supervise your dog when serving giblets.
Turkey Giblet Safety Tips
While turkey giblets provide great nutrition for dogs, follow these tips for safe preparation and feeding:
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Never feed raw giblets which could contain salmonella or other bacteria. Always cook thoroughly.
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Remove all bones, especially from the neck, to prevent choking hazards.
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Avoid giblets with added seasonings, onions, garlic or other flavorings.
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Introduce new foods slowly to watch for allergic reactions or tummy upset.
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Giblets should only supplement a balanced commercial or homemade diet. Don’t overfeed.
As long as you take some basic safety precautions, turkey giblets make a nutritious treat dogs love. Follow our step-by-step cooking guide for tasty, healthful giblets your dog will gobble up!
Probiotic Pumpkin Pies
Pumpkin is excellent for your dogs digestion. These probiotic pumpkin pies will be put to good use, especially if you aren’t the only one tempted to feed your pooch Thanksgiving table food this year! Use 16 ounces plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling), ½ of a banana, ¾ cup gluten free flour, ½ cup gluten free oatmeal, ½ cup plain low-fat yogurt, ¼ to ½ cup of water and 1-2 scoops of pre + probiotic powder for dogs. You will need a cupcake / muffin tin with liners.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. Mix flour and oatmeal in a bowl. Slowly add water to the mixture. Be sure to add it slowly because you want the consistency of the dough to be both firm and soft enough to be pliable. Line the cupcake tin with liners. Take pieces of the dough and press into the liners. The dough should be about ½ inch thick per liner. Bake for about 8 minutes until lightly brown. Remove the crusts from the tin and allow to cool on a rack. In a separate bowl, combine the banana, yogurt, canned pumpkin and pre + probiotic powder for dogs. Mix together well. Fill each tiny crust with the probiotic pumpkin mixture. You can freeze or serve as is! We don’t recommend giving them more than 2 probiotic pumpkin pies in a day. They contain a healthy chunk of fiber to help ease digestion!
We don’t recommend feeding your cat or dog food made for humans all of the time. This can instill some bad habits. However, for the holiday, you can indulge them for the day. When preparing a turkey, there is that part which makes even the best chefs a little squeamish. The giblets are what we pull out from the turkey cavity before preparing the turkey to bake. The giblets contain the liver, kidneys, heart, gizzard and neck. Instead of just tossing them, we can turn them into a healthy treat for our pet!
Remove the turkey giblets from the turkey cavity. Be sure to not include the neck as it contains bones. If the giblets are in packaging, remove them from the packaging. Rinse the giblets thoroughly. For cats and smaller dogs, chop them into small pieces. Place the giblets in a small pot and cover with water. Bring the pot to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cook for 5 to 10 minutes. You want to be sure they are cooked through. Transfer them to a separate bowl to cool down. Mix the giblets with the recommended dosage (based on weight) of salmon + hemp oil. This natural salmon + hemp oil for pets combination contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These are exceptional ingredients to reduce inflammation, boost a healthy heart and provide a shiny coat.
Immune-boosting Turkey Meatballs
Use that leftover turkey to make your pet a delicious treat! About 1 lb of leftover turkey meat will work for this recipe. Be sure to remove all of the skin and bones. Turkey skin contains too much sodium, which isn’t healthy for your cat or dog to consume. Use ½ cup rolled oats, 2 eggs, 2 tbsps plain low-fat yogurt, ¼ cup fresh parsley, 1 cup mixed veggies (carrots, peas or green beans) and 1 scoop of pre + probiotic for cats or 1 scoop of pre + probiotic powder for dogs. The powder depends on whether or not you are giving to a cat or a dog. Be sure to not give a probiotic powder made for cats to dogs and vice versa.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Add the leftover turkey to a food processor or blender to chop up the meat. Add rolled oats and blend together the ingredients. Next, add the eggs, yogurt and probiotic powder. Be sure they mix well enough to hold together. Transfer to a separate bowl. Mix in your veggies and parsley by hand. Roll them into 1 inch balls. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes. You want to be sure they are golden around the edges. Be sure they cool down before serving to your furry friends. They can last up to 5 days in the fridge. For cats and smaller dogs, you will want to cut them into smaller pieces once they are finished baking! These make the perfect immune-boosting turkey balls for your beloved pet!
We know you may be tempted to discreetly give your pet a couple of hand-outs underneath the Thanksgiving dinner table. Don’t do it! Instead utilize those leftovers or make them something special for the holiday. They will thank you for it!
Cooking the Turkey Giblets & Neck for a great Dog treat!
FAQ
Can dogs eat turkey giblets cooked?
Turkey Giblets
Most of these extras are perfectly safe for your dog to eat when fully cooked (so long as they won’t be missed by any of your dinner guests). The only part that is not recommended for your dog is the neck as there are bones in that part.
How long should turkey giblets be cooked?
Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer it for 1 hour to both to cook the meat and to make a giblet broth for the gravy.Sep 20, 2024
What part of the turkey giblets do you not use?
You should remove these parts from the cavity and save all but the liver (which can impart a mineral, bitter taste to stock) for making gravy. The neck, gizzard, and heart contribute meaty favor to stock. The liver, identifiable by its amorphous shape and shiny, dark red exterior, can impart a mineral taste to stock.
Can dogs eat turkey giblets?
If you have a dog, you don’t have to let turkey giblets go to waste. Giblets are a nutritious snack that dogs love and it’s very easy to cook them. When you want to cook giblets for dogs, you will need to boil them in a pot of water until fully cooked. Like most meat, dogs absolutely love giblets.
How do you cook Turkey giblets for a dog?
There are three easy ways to cook turkey giblets for your dog: boiling, baking or steaming. This is the simplest method. Place the cleaned giblets in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Let the giblets cook for 20-30 minutes, until no pink remains inside. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Can dogs eat giblets?
Giblets are a nutritious snack that dogs love and it’s very easy to cook them. When you want to cook giblets for dogs, you will need to boil them in a pot of water until fully cooked. Like most meat, dogs absolutely love giblets. If you’re interested in learning more about feeding giblets to your canine, then you’ve come to the right page.
How do you cook a turkey neck & giblets?
Follow these simple steps to cook turkey neck and giblets for your four-legged friend: Wash the turkey neck and giblets thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the turkey neck and giblets to the boiling water.
What should you do with Turkey giblets?
A turkey’s vital organs, called giblets, are the heart, liver, gizzard, neck and kidney. They get stuffed inside when it is processed. You must remove them before cooking the turkey; but what should you do with them? You can make gravy or throw them out.
How much Turkey Neck & giblets should a dog eat?
Organic or free-range – Opt for turkey from organic, free-range or pasture-raised sources when possible for higher quality nutrition. For a medium size dog, about 1 pound of turkey necks and 1 cup of giblets is a good starting amount. Adjust quantities based on your dog’s size and appetite. Before cooking, prep the turkey neck and giblets: