There is much debate about the safety of giving dogs ‘real’ bones like those from a turkey. While bone-shaped biscuits may be a household staple for your best friend, we did some research as to the benefits and risks of feeding your pup a turkey bone. Here’s what you need to know before you throw a dog a bone.
Turkey bones are a controversial topic among dog owners. We all want to share tasty tidbits with our canine companions especially around the holidays. But is it actually safe to let dogs gnaw on leftover turkey bones? Unfortunately the answer is usually no. Turkey bones can easily splinter into sharp fragments that could injure your dog’s mouth, throat, and digestive tract. This article will examine the risks of feeding dogs turkey bones and offer some safer bone alternatives.
The Dangers of Turkey Bones for Dogs
Turkey bones pose several hazards that make them inappropriate treats for dogs
Brittle and Prone to Splintering
When cooked, turkey bones become dried out and brittle. They have a tendency to shatter into pointy shards when chewed by dogs. These bone fragments can then lacerate the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Raw turkey bones are less likely to splinter. However, they still carry risks of fracturing into chunks that could choke a dog or block the intestines.
Can Cause Serious Internal Injuries
Sharp turkey bone fragments can pierce or perforate the esophagus, stomach, and intestinal lining. This can lead to painful tears and lacerations as well as potentially deadly infections. Punctures in the stomach and intestines also allow dangerous bacteria and digestive juices to leak into the abdominal cavity, resulting in peritonitis.
High Risk of Obstructions
Larger pieces of turkey bones may become lodged in the esophagus, windpipe, or intestines, creating life-threatening blockages. Bone fragments can also clump together in the stomach or intestines, obstructing the passage of food and causing bloating.
Can Trigger Choking
Turkey bones that become stuck in the throat pose a choking hazard. Dogs can experience gagging, distress, collapse, and even death from oxygen deprivation. Choking on a turkey bone is a dire emergency requiring immediate veterinary treatment.
May Carry Salmonella and Other Bacteria
Raw turkey bones can be contaminated with salmonella, E. coli, and other harmful bacteria. These germs thrive on raw poultry. While cooking helps kill bacteria, some may still survive.
Safer Treats and Chews for Dogs
Rather than taking a risk on turkey bones, choose from these safer options to satisfy your dog’s craving to chew:
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Raw meaty bones from beef or lamb. Avoid load-bearing bones that are too hard.
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Large recreational raw bones. Select knuckle or femur bones too big to be swallowed.
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Antlers or hooves from deer, elk, or moose. They last a long time.
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Beef kneecaps and bully sticks. These digestible chews occupy dogs.
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Sturdy rubber toys. Durable and non-destructible for aggressive chewers.
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Cow ears or pig ears. Provide the appeal of real animal tissue to chew.
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Dental sticks. Special treat promotes oral health through chewing action.
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Frozen carrots or apples. Provides healthy crunching.
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Harddog rawhide alternative chews. Digestible and long-lasting.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Turkey Bones
If your dog accidentally ingests turkey bones, don’t panic. Follow these steps:
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Remain calm. Most turkey bones pass through without incident.
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Check if any bones are visible or stuck. Look in mouth and attempt to remove.
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Do NOT induce vomiting, as bones could damage the throat.
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Feed a small meal to help move the bones through the intestines.
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Monitor for signs of distress, including choking, gagging, vomiting, or lethargy.
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Contact your vet if you notice these or other concerning symptoms.
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Watch for blood in stool, which could indicate internal injury.
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Expect the bones to pass within 12-24 hours. Call your vet if they haven’t appeared in stools after 48 hours.
Prevention Tips to Keep Dogs Safe
The best approach is to exclude access to turkey bones, so your dog can’t indulge their scavenging instincts. Here are some tips:
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Store turkey bones and scraps out of reach of dogs.
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Clear plates from tables and counters after meals.
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Place turkey carcass in tightly closed bags before discarding.
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Keep trash cans secure and lidded to deter rummaging.
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Train your dog to “leave it” and “drop it” unwanted items.
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Crate your dog when unattended to restrict counter-surfing.
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Feed your dog before holiday meals so they are less tempted.
In most situations, turkey bones present more risk than reward. While the idea of tossing Fido a tasty bone after a holiday feast is appealing, the potential for esophageal, stomach, and intestinal damage makes this unwise. Instead of putting your dog at risk for a costly trip to the emergency vet, stick with safer, vet-recommended chews and toys. Avoiding turkey bones altogether is the wisest approach to protect the health of your cherished canine companion.
Frequency of Entities:
Brittle and Prone to Splintering: 1
Can Cause Serious Internal Injuries: 1
High Risk of Obstructions: 1
Can Trigger Choking: 1
May Carry Salmonella and Other Bacteria: 1
Raw meaty bones from beef or lamb: 1
Large recreational raw bones: 1
Antlers or hooves from deer, elk, or moose: 1
Beef kneecaps and bully sticks: 1
Sturdy rubber toys: 1
Cow ears or pig ears: 1
Dental sticks: 1
Frozen carrots or apples: 1
Harddog rawhide alternative chews: 1
Remain calm: 1
Check if any bones are visible or stuck: 1
Do NOT induce vomiting: 1
Feed a small meal to help move the bones through the intestines: 1
Monitor for signs of distress, including choking, gagging, vomiting, or lethargy: 1
Contact your vet if you notice these or other concerning symptoms: 1
Watch for blood in stool: 1
Expect the bones to pass within 12-24 hours: 1
Call your vet if they haven’t appeared in stools after 48 hours: 1
Store turkey bones and scraps out of reach of dogs: 1
Clear plates from tables and counters after meals: 1
Place turkey carcass in tightly closed bags before discarding: 1
Keep trash cans secure and lidded to deter rummaging: 1
Train your dog to “leave it” and “drop it” unwanted items: 1
Crate your dog when unattended to restrict counter-surfing: 1
Feed your dog before holiday meals so they are less tempted: 1
Can dogs eat raw turkey bones?
After reading all of these potential consequences, you’re probably wondering if your pup can even have turkey bones at all. The answer is yes, as long as the bones are raw. Raw bones, in general, are usually a good option for pups to have, but turkey and chicken bones (as well as other types of poultry) still tend to be thinner and splinter easier. So if you do share some raw bone with your dog, it’s important that you supervise them closely when they’re eating.
Raw bones and meat can come with additional risks for foodborne illness. Most healthy dogs should be able to handle raw bones. But, if you have an elderly or immunocompromised dog, check with your vet before feeding anything raw. Remember to clean your dog’s dish and any cutting boards, knives, and food prep areas that came in contact with raw meat or bone to avoid the spread of bacteria and foodborne illnesses.
Can dogs eat cooked turkey bones?
First things first, it’s important that you don’t ever feed cooked turkey bones to a dog. No matter how tempting it might be to let them have a little taste of that delicious holiday feast, cooked bones are dangerous for dogs. They can splinter and cause many problems, including injuries to the pup’s mouth and teeth, as well as intestinal blockages and gastric upset.
Injuries like broken teeth, cuts to the dog’s mouth, damage to the jaw, or bones lodged in the stomach may require surgery to repair. This is why it is important that you avoid giving your pup cooked bones. These injuries can be painful, expensive, and even in some cases, fatal. So, when it comes to cooked turkey bones and your pup, just say no (and don’t worry, we’ll remind you throughout the course of this blog post)!
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones? Yes and No!
FAQ
What happens if my dog eats turkey bones?
Are cooked turkey bones good for dogs?
Are raw turkey leg bones safe for dogs?
What meat bones are safe for dogs?
Can dogs eat cooked turkey bones?
While dogs have a natural inclination to chew on bones, it’s essential to avoid giving them cooked turkey bones. Cooked bones can splinter, posing a significant risk of choking or causing internal injuries. Follow the guideline of bone removal when preparing turkey for your dog, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
Can dogs eat turkey necks?
While some people do feed turkey necks to their dogs because they’re slender (the idea being that if you cook them thoroughly, the bones will be soft enough that your dog can crunch them up and eat them without issues), but Dr. Sinn cautions there’s always a chance that a fragment or piece of bone can splinter and cause problems. Q:
Are turkey bones toxic to dogs?
Turkey bones aren’t toxic, so you don’t need to worry about rushing your dog to the vet in most cases. However, they aren’t safe and can cause a range of complications. Therefore, monitoring is very important in these situations. Firstly, don’t panic. Although the bone can cause problems for some dogs, the chance of serious complications is low.
Can dogs eat raw meaty bones?
Some dog owners will choose to feed their dogs raw meaty bones as part of their diet, and in consultation with their vet. Raw turkey necks are a common choice for this purpose, but any raw meaty bone carries with it a risk of exposure to bacteria like salmonella.