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Thanksgiving, for most families in the United States, is all about the turkey. Hours go into the roasting and basting of the bird, and once the Thanksgiving feast is over, there are turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, and turkey casseroles to make. With all of that leftover turkey, what about sharing some with our dogs, whether slipped surreptitiously under the table, or on a Thanksgiving “plate” of their own?
But can dogs eat turkey? Is turkey good for dogs? Are any risks to feeding dogs turkey? We’ll walk through everything you need to know about turkey for dogs, from the benefits to the risks.
Can My Dog Eat Raw Ground Turkey? A Vet’s Advice
Ground turkey can be a healthy addition to many dogs’ diets, but should you feed it raw? Raw meat does come with some risks. Here’s what you need to know about feeding raw ground turkey to dogs.
The Risks of Raw Meat
In the wild, dogs would eat raw meat. However, domestic dogs face some different risks than their ancestors. Commercially sold raw meat can harbor bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. When dogs eat contaminated raw meat, they can develop food poisoning.
Symptoms of food poisoning in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Lethargy
While most dogs recover from food poisoning, some cases can be life threatening. Puppies, seniors, and dogs with compromised immune systems are most at risk.
To eliminate bacteria, it’s safest to cook ground turkey thoroughly before feeding it Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F At this temperature, salmonella and other potentially harmful bacteria are killed.
When Raw Turkey May Be OKPlain, unseasoned boneless, skinless turkey is unlikely to make a healthy dog sick even if eaten raw. Many commercial raw dog food diets contain raw turkey.
Dogs with healthy immune systems can typically handle the small amounts of bacteria present on raw turkey meat from the grocery store. The risk rises when dogs eat raw turkey necks, bones, or scraps that sit out at room temperature for longer.
While raw turkey meat is unlikely to sicken them, dogs with the following conditions should not eat raw meat of any kind:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
- Autoimmune disease
- Immunosuppressant medication
- Puppies under 1 year
For these dogs, thoroughly cooked turkey is a safer choice.
Serving Raw Ground Turkey Safely
If you choose to feed raw turkey to your dog, follow these tips to reduce risks:
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Choose fresh, high quality, boneless, skinless turkey. Discard any meat that smells bad or feels slimy.
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Refrigerate promptly and use within 1-2 days. Don’t let the meat sit at room temperature.
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Wash hands, utensils, dishes thoroughly after handling raw meat.
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Start with small amounts. Too much rich meat can cause digestive upset.
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Never feed raw turkey bones. Bones can fracture teeth or get lodged in the throat, stomach, or intestines.
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Make sure your dog’s overall diet is balanced. Raw meat alone lacks key nutrients.
Cooked Turkey for Dogs
For safety, it’s ideal to cook ground turkey before feeding. Cooked turkey offers balanced nutrition without the risks of raw meat.
Some healthy recipes to try:
- Brown rice with cooked ground turkey and vegetables
- Quinoa with cooked ground turkey and carrots
- Wet food with ground turkey, rice, fish oil, and vegetables
Avoid giving dogs seasoned turkey meant for human consumption. Onions, garlic, salt, and other flavorings can be harmful. Plain, cooked turkey is healthiest.
Talk to your veterinarian if you have questions about incorporating ground turkey into your dog’s homemade diet. They can help ensure your dog’s unique nutritional needs are met.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?
Cooked poultry bones are brittle. This, combined with their smaller size, makes them very dangerous for dogs. Veterinarians caution against feeding dogs cooked bones of any kind, including poultry bones, as they can cause the following problems:
- Mouth and tongue injuries
- Obstruction of the throat or intestinal tract
- Choking
- Possibly piercing stomach and intestine lining
- Constipation
- Rectal bleeding from sharp bone fragments
- Blockages that require emergency surgery
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. Talk with your vet about using raw meaty turkey bones for your dog to learn more about possible risks and benefits.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Turkey
If you decide to feed your dog turkey, keep these tips in mind.
- Remove turkey skin: Too much fat (from the skin itself, plus whatever butter or oil was used for roasting or frying) and seasonings are dangerous for dogs. High fat content can cause pancreatitis, while all the extra spices and seasonings can irritate your dog’s stomach.
- Only feed your dog turkey meat: Pick through whatever meat portion you’re offering your dog to ensure none of the roasting aromatics are mixed in. Onions are toxic to dogs, and garlic can be toxic in large quantities.
- Feed your dog small portions of turkey meat: Talk to your vet about adding occasional food scraps into your dog’s diet before deciding to feed them turkey, especially if your dog has a preexisting health condition, like diabetes. Keeping portions small, and more like a treat, helps healthy dogs avoid any stomach upset from eating different foods than they’re used to.
- No cooked turkey bones: Make sure whatever portion of turkey you decide to feed your dog contains just meat, and that there are no cooked turkey bones mixed in or still attached.
Can I feed my dog ground turkey everyday?
FAQ
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