Can a Dog Eat Turkey Necks? – THEKITCHENTODAY

Turkey necks are a popular treat for dogs, but there’s some debate around whether they are safe and healthy. As the owner of a canine companion, you likely want to make the best decisions for their diet and enrichment. This article will dive into the pros and cons of feeding dogs turkey necks so you can decide if it’s right for your pup.

What Exactly Are Turkey Necks?

Turkey necks are the neck of a turkey, including bones, cartilage, muscle meat, connective tissue, and skin. They are considered a byproduct of the poultry industry since they are not typically used for human consumption.

Turkey necks for dogs are sold either raw or dehydrated (dried). Raw turkey necks will need to be thawed before feeding while dried ones are ready to serve. Compared to chicken necks, turkey necks are quite large ranging from 10-12 inches long on average. They can weigh over 1 pound each.

Potential Benefits of Feeding Turkey Necks to Dogs

There are some proposed benefits associated with giving your dog turkey necks:

Nutrition: Turkey necks provide protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. The bone content provides calcium and phosphorus. The meat contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. Overall, turkey necks can be part of a nutritious, balanced diet.
Dental health Gnawing on the turkey neck bones may help scrape off plaque and tartar as the dog chews, The abrasive action and bone density can clean teeth
Mental enrichment: Working through a large turkey neck provides dogs with mental stimulation. The chewing satisfies their natural instinct to gnaw while keeping them occupied.
Satiety: The fat, protein, and bulk of a turkey neck may help a dog feel fuller compared to treats with less substance. This may aid in preventing overeating.

Potential Risks of Feeding Turkey Necks to Dogs

However, there are also some potential dangers associated with turkey necks for dogs:

Choking hazard: Gulping down large pieces of turkey neck instead of chewing thoroughly may lead to choking. The irregular bone shape can cause obstructions.
Digestive issues: Turkey neck bone fragments can cause constipation or blockages in the gut. Poor chewing increases this risk. Sharp bones may puncture intestines if swallowed in large chunks.
Bacteria: Raw meat carries risks of Salmonella, E. coli, and other pathogenic bacteria that can make dogs sick. Even dried turkey necks can harbor harmful microbes. Proper food handling is crucial.
Calories: Turkey necks are high in fat and calories. Too many can quickly lead to weight gain in dogs prone to obesity.
Nutrient imbalance: Excessive bone consumption may throw off the calcium-phosphorus ratios needed for skeletal development in puppies.
Veterinary concerns: Some vets recommend avoiding bone treats like turkey necks altogether due to the above hazards. There is no consensus on whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

Are Turkey Necks Appropriate for Your Dog?

The decision about whether to feed turkey necks depends on your individual dog and their needs. Here are some factors to consider:

Chewing behavior: Dogs who gulp their food without chewing are not the best candidates for turkey necks due to choking risks. Dogs who gnaw carefully are better suited to handle bones.
Breed size: The large size of turkey necks makes them appropriate for medium, large, and giant breed dogs. The bones may be unsuitable for smaller dogs.
Age: Turkey necks are not recommended for puppies since their developing digestive systems may struggle to cope with the bone content.
Health issues: Dogs with digestive sensitivities, pancreatitis, diabetes, or obesity should avoid high-fat turkey necks. Dogs with dental disease may not benefit from the chewing action.
Your comfort level: If you have reservations about possible choking, bones getting lodged, or bacteria from raw meat, you may decide turkey necks are not worth the risk. Go with your gut instinct.

Tips for Safely Feeding Turkey Necks

If you want to offer your dog turkey necks, here are some tips to decrease the risks:

Supervise your dog the entire time to monitor chewing. Never leave dogs unwatched with any chews or bones.
Feed turkey necks outside or in an easy-to-clean area to avoid bacteria contamination indoors.
Select turkey necks appropriate for your dog’s size so they are not attempting to swallow anything too large.
Introduce slowly and limit to one turkey neck 1-2 times per week to avoid overconsumption.
Hand feed smaller pieces if your dog tends to gulp food. This encourages more controlled biting and chewing.
Always provide fresh water since turkey necks have high sodium content and can stimulate thirst.
Inspect stools for constipation and intestinal discomfort after feeding turkey necks.
Seek immediate veterinary attention if your dog has signs of choking, vomiting, diarrhea, or abnormal abdominal pain.

Healthier Alternatives to Turkey Necks

Some alternatives to consider that provide nutrition and enrichment without some of the highest risks include:

Sterilized bones like Benebones
Dental chews with VOHC approval for tartar control
Bully sticks made from beef pizzle
Himalayan chews made from yak and cow milk
Food puzzle toys like the KONG Wobbler

The Bottom Line

Turkey necks do offer some benefits but also pose considerable risks. Thoughtful consideration of your individual dog and controlled feeding practices can reduce, but not eliminate, the hazards. Many veterinarians remain wary of recommending bone chews like turkey necks. Ultimately, you must decide if the potential advantages seem to outweigh the potential dangers for your canine companion. If in doubt, safer chew alternatives provide enrichment without quite as much risk.

can a dog eat turkey necks

Can I feed it cooked? Are bones dangerous?

Cooked bones are dangerous as they can splinter and are very sharp. Raw meaty bones are pliable and soft and break easily at the joint. Your pet is meant to eat meat and bones in their raw form. Never feed cooked bones.

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.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Necks?

FAQ

Can a dog eat a cooked turkey neck?

Yes, dogs can have turkey necks. They are very healthy. If you are cooking the turkey neck ensure to scrap off the meat and never serve the cooked bones to your dog. You can use the bones to make a bone broth.

Can dogs eat cooked neck bones?

Friend, the concern with feeding dogs bones is that they can become obstructed or perforate the gastrointestinal tract for this reason we recommend not to feed dogs bones. I would not recommend you feed your dog cooked beef neck bones. Try something like bully sticks that are digestible.

Are turkey bones safe for dogs?

Cooked bones from any animal should never be given to your dog, but especially turkey bones or chicken bones. Any kind of cooked bone will splinter when your dog chews on it. Turkey bones and chicken bones are especially brittle, and will break into small, sharp pieces when they are chewed.

What is turkey neck syndrome in dogs?

This rare genetic disorder is known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome but is also known as cutaneous asthenia. It’s a connective tissue disease where the skin is exceedingly extensible, causing visible sagging around the neck, shoulder, and back area, along with other signs such as joint laxity and ocular abnormalities.