Unless you’re using the turkey neck in a tasty gravy, stock, or soup, many of us can’t think of anywhere else to put them besides the trash. It might seem wasteful, but if giblets aren’t your specialty, what’s the point in keeping them?
Well, when you have a dog in the house, you may not have to scrap your scraps just yet. Turkey necks can be offered to your dog. However, feeding your dog bones is controversial and does come with some risks you should be aware of.
If you do not need the giblets after unpacking your Thanksgiving bird, we’ll discuss how and why you can give your dog turkey necks to eat, and the risks to help you decide whether to do this or not.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Eat Turkey Necks?
Turkey necks are a popular treat for dogs, but many pet owners wonder – are they actually safe? The answer is not exactly straightforward Turkey necks can offer nutritional benefits for dogs, but they also come with some potential risks that need to be considered By learning more about the pros and cons of feeding dogs turkey necks, you can make an informed decision about whether or not they are appropriate for your furry friend.
What are the Potential Benefits?
Turkey necks provide a good source of protein, minerals like calcium and phosphorus, glucosamine, and chondroitin. The nutrients in turkey necks can support your dog’s muscle growth and maintenance, bone health, and joint health. Turkey necks are also naturally high in collagen which is great for skin and coat health.
The act of chewing on a turkey neck can help clean your dog’s teeth and gums. Chewing helps scrape away plaque and tartar that can lead to dental disease. As an added bonus, dogs tend to really enjoy chewing on meaty bones like turkey necks, making them a tasty treat.
For dogs on a raw food diet, turkey necks provide a convenient way to include more raw meaty bones for balance. Some pet owners also like using turkey necks as a substitute for processed dog chews and treats.
Potential Risks to Consider
While turkey necks can provide benefits, there are also some risks:
Choking Hazard
One of the biggest risks associated with feeding turkey necks is the potential for choking. Turkey necks contain small, brittle bones that can pose a choking hazard or become lodged in the esophagus, windpipe, or digestive tract. This risk is highest for aggressive chewers. It is extremely important to supervise your dog when feeding turkey necks and take away the neck immediately if choking is suspected.
Digestive Upset
Too much fat, bone, and connective tissue from turkey necks may lead to gastrointestinal upset in some dogs. Diarrhea and vomiting are possible. To reduce this risk, turkey necks should always be fed in moderation as an occasional treat.
Raw Meat Safety
Raw turkey necks may contain bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli that can make dogs sick. Proper food handling and storage is essential. Bones that are swallowed without thorough chewing also increase the risk of bacterial contamination in the intestines. Owners uncomfortable with the risks of raw meat should opt to cook turkey necks before feeding.
Constipation
The small bones and tough connective tissue in turkey necks do not fully digest. Excessive bone consumption can potentially lead to constipation or impaction. This risk is low when turkey necks are fed only occasionally.
Tooth Fractures
Aggressive chewers that try to break turkey necks with their back teeth run the risk of fracturing teeth. The bones are quite dense. Monitor chewing and avoid allowing dogs to try to break apart large pieces.
Nutritional Imbalances
While turkey necks offer valuable nutrition, they do not provide complete and balanced nutrition alone. Overdoing it on turkey necks could lead to nutritional deficiencies or excesses over time. Variety is key.
Pancreatitis
The high fat content in turkey necks could trigger pancreatitis in dogs prone to this serious health condition. Owners of susceptible dogs should consult their vet before feeding turkey necks.
Best Practices for Safe Feeding
If you want to feed your dog turkey necks, follow these tips to reduce risks:
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Supervise your dog at all times and take away any unfinished turkey necks promptly. Do not leave turkey necks unattended.
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Feed turkey necks in moderation – no more than one per day for smaller dogs or two per day for large breeds. Too much can cause gastrointestinal upset.
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Select a turkey neck size appropriate for your dog’s breed size – not too large. Large necks are more prone to causing blockages.
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Introduce turkey necks gradually if your dog is not accustomed to chewing on bones. Start with softer bones like chicken wings/necks before moving up to dense turkey necks.
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Feed turkey necks as part of an overall complete and balanced diet, not as the sole food. Variety is important.
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Store raw turkey necks safely in the fridge or freezer until ready to feed. Thaw in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature. Discard any leftovers promptly.
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Wash hands and clean food prep areas thoroughly after handling raw turkey necks to prevent bacterial contamination.
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Inspect the turkey neck carefully before feeding it. Discard any that have sharp, jagged edges that could injure your dog.
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Consider lightly cooking turkey necks to reduce foodborne illness risks – bake, boil, or dehydrate. This lowers the safety concerns of raw meat.
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Avoid feeding turkey necks to puppies or elderly dogs. Their developing or weaker teeth and jaws increase injury risks.
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Do not allow aggressive chewers to attempt to break the turkey neck into pieces. Monitor chewing and remove any broken bone fragments promptly.
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Talk to your vet if your dog has a history of gastrointestinal issues before feeding turkey necks. Your vet can advise if turkey necks are appropriate.
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Seek veterinary care immediately if your dog shows any signs of choking, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea after eating a turkey neck.
The Verdict on Turkey Necks for Dogs
Overall, fully cooked or raw turkey necks can be fed safely to dogs in moderation as part of a balanced diet. They provide nutritional benefits. However, turkey necks do come with several risks to be aware of, mainly choking and digestive issues. Appropriate dog and product selection, portion control, and monitoring while eating are musts. Pet owners need to weigh risks versus benefits carefully for their individual dog. Some dogs can tolerate turkey necks well as an occasional treat while others may be better off avoiding them altogether. When in doubt, consult with your veterinarian for personalized feeding advice. With proper precautions, the majority of dogs can enjoy gobbling up a turkey neck safely.
Esophageal or Intestinal Foreign Body
If your dog tends to gulp their turkey neck’s whole, there is a chance it could get lodged in the esophagus. If it gets stuck here, your dog won’t be able to eat properly and they will regurgitate their food. Esophageal foreign bodies generally need a special procedure called endoscopy to retrieve them. Assuming the bones make their way into the stomach, they are not very digestible meaning they will pass through the digestive system relatively unchanged. The small bones in turkey necks can aggregate and form an intestinal blockage, which can be life-threatening, cause intestinal damage, and septicemia, and will need surgery to resolve.
Choking and Constipation
The high bone content in turkey necks can be problematic for dogs that like to swallow their food fast with minimal chewing. The bones are soft and unlikely to crack and splinter when given raw, but if your dog gulps down an oversized bite, it can become a choking hazard. Bone also makes stool firmer and more difficult to pass, and your dog may even suffer constipation if they eat turkey necks frequently. If this becomes ongoing constipation can become severe and cause your dog to become unwell, and they usually need veterinary treatment to recover.
Top Tips: Turkey Necks for Dogs | Dr. Alex Crow | PetHealthGuru | Dog Food | Veterinarian Tips |
FAQ
Can a dog eat a cooked turkey neck?
The only part that is not recommended for your dog is the neck as there are bones in that part.Sep 23, 2024
How much turkey neck can I give my dog?
You can feed about 10% of your dog’s daily (raw) dog food allowance in turkey necks.
Are neck bones safe for dogs?
Give your dog raw, meaty bones as part of his meals. These are softer bones that he can chew up and completely swallow to provide all the nutrients from the meat and bone. Choose meaty bones with small bones and joints. Necks, tails, and feet are great.
Are raw turkey necks good for dogs’ teeth?
Dogs chewing on turkey necks can help remove plaque and tartar from their teeth and gums as the soft bones and cartilage scrape them off gently. Consistent brushing of teeth alongside this practice can help prevent periodontal diseases, which are common in dogs. Benefits: turkey necks support strong bones and joints.
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.
What meat should I never feed my dog if they have dementia?
A dog can be fed with any kind of fresh meat like chicken, pork, beef, fish or turkey. It is not advisable to feed processed meat to dogs because there are scientific studies that claim that these processed meat can increase the risk of developing dementia.
Can dogs eat turkey?
Spoiler alert: Turkey is not only safe, but it’s a commonly used protein source in commercial dog foods. Throwing your dog bits of turkey while you prep dinner can be a perfectly healthy treat, but not all parts of the turkey are safe. So what’s a dog-owning foodie to do? Here’s what to know about feeding turkey 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.
Can dogs eat turkey skin?
Although turkey is a healthy food for dogs to eat, not all the parts of whole turkey are safe. Some parts should stay out of your dog’s food bowl while you’re prepping a turkey for dinner. Turkey skin is very high in fat. This high-fat content alone can spell gastrointestinal upset for any dog that is accidentally fed turkey skin.
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.