Can German Shepherds Eat Turkey?

As the holidays approach, many German Shepherd owners wonder if they can share a taste of Thanksgiving turkey with their furry friend. The good news is that German Shepherds can eat turkey, but there are some important things to keep in mind.

An Overview of Turkey for German Shepherds

German Shepherds are carnivorous dogs that thrive on a protein-rich diet, Turkey contains high-quality protein that makes it a healthy choice for German Shepherds,

However, not all forms of turkey are suitable for your German Shepherd. It’s important to only feed your dog turkey that has been properly cooked and contains no bones, skin fat, or seasonings.

Here’s a quick overview of what kinds of turkey German Shepherds can and cannot eat:

Safe

• Lean, skinless, cooked turkey meat (no bones)
• Plain ground turkey (no skin, fat, or seasonings)

Unsafe

• Raw turkey
• Bones
• Skin
• Fatty pieces
• Seasoned turkey
• Fried turkey
• Turkey gravy or broth
• Stuffing
• Leftover casseroles containing turkey

Keep reading to learn more details about feeding your German Shepherd turkey.

Can German Shepherds Eat Raw Turkey?

Raw turkey should always be avoided. Raw poultry carries a risk of salmonella or other bacteria that can make your German Shepherd sick.

Be sure to thoroughly cook any turkey given to your dog. Cooked turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Can German Shepherds Eat Turkey Bones?

While dogs love to gnaw on bones, turkey bones should be off limits for German Shepherds.

Poultry bones, including turkey bones, are prone to splintering. Sharp pieces of bone can easily puncture your dog’s digestive tract, leading to choking hazards or internal injuries.

Never feed your German Shepherd bones of any kind. Stick to boneless turkey meat only.

Can German Shepherds Eat Turkey Skin?

Avoid feeding turkey skin to your German Shepherd. Turkey skin becomes very fatty once it’s cooked. Too much fat can lead to obesity and pancreatitis in dogs.

The seasoned outer layer of a turkey also contains a concentrated amount of salt, which is unhealthy for dogs.

Can German Shepherds Eat Seasoned Turkey?

Seasoned turkey often contains onions, garlic, or other ingredients that are toxic to dogs. The seasonings themselves can also upset your German Shepherd’s stomach.

Only feed plain turkey meat with no marinades, rubs, glazes, or injected flavors. This includes smoked, roasted, fried, or other seasoned holiday turkeys.

Can German Shepherds Eat Ground Turkey?

Plain ground turkey, with no additives or seasonings, can make a healthy addition to your German Shepherd’s diet.

Look for 100% ground turkey breast meat with no skin, fat, bones, or organ meats. Avoid pre-seasoned turkey meat labeled for tacos, burgers, etc.

For extra nutrition, you can mix some cooked turkey into your dog’s regular kibble or add it to homemade dog food recipes. Start with small amounts to avoid digestive upset.

Can German Shepherds Eat Leftover Turkey?

Small amounts of plain, leftover turkey meat are fine for German Shepherds, as long as you avoid any bones, skin, fat, or crusty bits.

However, refrain from giving your dog casseroles, soups, sandwiches, or other dishes containing turkey leftovers. These often have onions, dairy, seasoning, gravies, or other ingredients that can make your dog sick.

How Much Turkey Can German Shepherds Eat?

While turkey can be a healthy treat, too much can lead to weight gain or GI upset. Limit turkey to no more than 10% of your German Shepherd’s daily calories.

For a 50-pound dog eating 1,000 calories per day, that’s about 2 to 3 ounces of turkey at most. Very small or inactive dogs may tolerate less.

Only introduce turkey in small amounts at first to see how your individual dog handles it. Discontinue turkey if you notice any diarrhea, vomiting, or other signs of stomach upset.

Tips for Feeding Turkey to Your German Shepherd

Here are some tips to keep in mind when feeding turkey to your German Shepherd:

• Remove all bones, skin, fat, and seasonings before feeding.
• Cook turkey thoroughly until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Refrigerate or freeze leftover turkey promptly and use within 3 days.
• Start with small servings of 1 to 2 tablespoons.
• Avoid turkey necks, legs, wings, or other bony pieces.
• Supervise your dog when feeding turkey to prevent choking.
• Introduce new proteins slowly over a period of a few weeks.
• Discontinue turkey if it causes digestive upset. Every dog is different.

Healthier Ways to Feed Turkey

If you want to share turkey with your German Shepherd without the prep work of separating meat from skin and bones, here are some convenient alternatives:

• Turkey dog food: Look for limited ingredient dog foods with turkey as the sole protein source.
• Turkey dog treats: Some companies make treats with turkey breast meat and vitamins.
• Turkey dog chews: Some long-lasting chews are made from turkey meat and cartilage.

These provide a safer way to let your German Shepherd enjoy the flavor of turkey without the risks of raw meat or bones.

Other Thanksgiving Foods for German Shepherds

While turkey gets all the attention at Thanksgiving, there are other dog-friendly holiday foods you can share in moderation, including:

• Plain mashed potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Green beans
• Plain pumpkin puree
• Cranberries
• Dog-safe ice cream

Avoid fatty foods, gravies, stuffing, desserts with xylitol, onions, garlic, ham, bones, or seasoned foods. And remember to introduce any new foods gradually to avoid GI upset.

The Bottom Line

During the holidays, resist the urge to let your German Shepherd nibble table scraps. While small amounts of plain turkey meat are okay, many traditional holiday dishes can pose health hazards.

Stick to lean, skinless, unseasoned turkey meat with no bones or fatty skin. Avoid feeding stuffing, casseroles, fatty meats, sweets, and seasoned foods that can harm your dog.

With some caution and planning, you and your German Shepherd can safely enjoy turkey this holiday season. Just be sure to avoid any bones, skin, or fatty leftovers after the big meal.