Can Dogs Have Turkey Neck? Benefits and Safety Tips

Turkey necks are a popular raw meaty bone that many dog owners like to feed their pups They provide teeth cleaning, mental stimulation, and nutrients However, there are some safety precautions to keep in mind when feeding turkey necks to dogs. This article will cover everything you need to know about feeding turkey necks to dogs.

Are Turkey Necks Safe for Dogs?

Turkey necks are generally considered safe and even healthy for dogs to eat. The main benefits of turkey necks for dogs include:

• Excellent source of protein, minerals like calcium and phosphorus, vitamins, and healthy fats
• Provide a natural way for dogs to clean their teeth and exercise their jaw muscles
• Mentally stimulating activity for dogs as they gnaw and chew on the bone
• Promotes satiety – keeps dogs feeling full longer than dry kibble alone

However. there are some potential risks with raw turkey necks that warrant caution

• Can present a choking hazard if the dog swallows large, sharp pieces of bone
• Risk of intestinal blockage if dogs gulp down bigger bones
• Can potentially contain salmonella and other bacteria
• Dogs with dental problems may have difficulty chewing hard bones

So while turkey necks can be fed safely there are a few guidelines to follow.

Feeding Guidelines for Turkey Necks

To safely feed your dog turkey necks, keep these tips in mind:

• Purchase raw, fresh uncooked turkey necks from reputable sources
• Choose turkey necks of appropriate size – not too large or small for your dog
• Supervise your dog while eating to prevent choking
• Feed turkey necks frozen or semi-frozen to slow eating and chewing
• Start with softer neck bones, like chicken, for puppies or dogs new to raw bones
• Remove the neck if your dog tries to aggressively swallow large chunks
• Avoid giving turkey necks to dogs with dental disease or missing teeth

It’s also wise to introduce turkey necks in moderation to see how your individual dog handles them before increasing the frequency.

How Many Turkey Necks Can Dogs Have?

There’s no definitive rule on how many turkey necks dogs can eat. The appropriate number depends on your dog’s:

• Size – Smaller breeds can’t handle as much as larger dogs
• Age – Puppies under 1 year shouldn’t have more than a neck per day
• Chewing Habits – Aggressive chewers may try to consume too much bone
• Diet – Dogs eating a primarily raw diet can handle more bone content
• Digestion – Some dogs tolerate bone better than others

For reference, here are some general turkey neck guidelines based on dog size:

• Small dogs under 15 lbs – 1 to 2 oz turkey neck 2-3 times a week
• Medium dogs 15 – 50 lbs – 2 to 4 oz turkey neck 2-4 times a week
• Large dogs over 50 lbs – 4 to 8 oz turkey neck 3-4 times a week

Ultimately, pay attention to your individual dog. Adjust the amount and frequency based on how well they digest and chew the necks.

Are There Any Dogs That Shouldn’t Eat Turkey Necks?

Turkey necks are not suitable for every dog due to their dense, bony nature. Dogs that should avoid turkey necks include:

• Puppies under 6 months old – their teeth and jaws aren’t mature enough to handle hard bones
• Elderly dogs with dental issues or missing teeth
• Dogs that gulp food without proper chewing
• Brachycephalic dogs with short snouts who may have trouble chewing bones – like Pugs, Bulldogs, etc.
• Dogs with esophageal issues or gastrointenstinal obstructions/blockages

These dogs would be better off with softer foods and chews that are easier to digest. Always consult your vet if you’re unsure about feeding turkey necks.

What Are the Benefits of Feeding Turkey Necks?

When fed properly to dogs who can handle them, turkey necks provide many benefits including:

• Nutrition: Turkey necks are rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that dogs need. The bone provides dietary calcium.

• Dental Health: Gnawing cleans teeth and helps scrape away plaque. It can reduce the need for dental cleanings under anesthesia.

• Mental Stimulation: Working on a turkey neck keeps dogs mentally and physically engaged for longer. Anecdotally, some owners feel it reduces anxiety and destructive behaviors.

• Satiety: The protein and fat keeps dogs feeling fuller compared to dry dog food alone.

• Natural Behavior: Many proponents feel dogs are designed to handle bones like turkey necks. It satisfies their instinct to chew and promotes jaw strength.

Potential Risks of Turkey Necks for Dogs

While turkey necks can provide benefits, they do come with some safety considerations:

• Choking hazard: Ingesting large, sharp pieces of turkey bone may lead to choking. Always supervise dogs when feeding any bones.

• GI obstruction: Turkey bones that are swallowed in larger chunks may cause intestinal blockages or perforations requiring surgery.

• Broken teeth: Aggressive chewers could potentially crack their teeth on the hard bones. Don’t feed to dogs with compromised dental health.

• Nutritional imbalance: When overfed, the phosphorus in bone can throw off the calcium-phosphorus ratio needed for bone health. Turkey necks should be balanced with other foods.

• Salmonella: Like any raw meat, turkey necks may harbor Salmonella and other pathogenic bacteria if they aren’t fresh. Only purchase turkey necks from reputable suppliers. Handle safely.

While risks do exist, they can be minimized by following safe feeding practices. As with any new food, slowly transition dogs to turkey necks under your supervision. Discontinue use if any adverse reaction occurs.

Turkey Neck Alternatives for Dogs

Some other bone options to consider instead of or in addition to turkey necks:

• Chicken necks – softer appropriate for puppies or gentle chewers
• Duck necks – denser than chicken but provide more meat
• Lamb necks – easily digestible red meat option
• Beef marrow bones – provide mental stimulation without as much risk of choking
• Antlers or bully sticks – durable chews that are softer than bone

For a balanced approach, turkey necks can be fed in rotation with a wide variety of proteins and chew options tailored to your dog’s needs.

While dense, bony turkey necks do require more caution and supervision compared to other foods, they can provide valuable benefits to dogs able to properly chew and digest them. Use common sense, introduce slowly, choose appropriate sizes, and supervise your dog any time you feed raw bones like turkey necks. Done safely and in moderation, turkey necks offer dogs nutrition, enrichment, and dental health perks. Just be sure to consult your vet if you have any concerns about your dog handling them.